Byte Magazine Volume 08 Number 12 - Easy Software

I

DECEMBER 1983 Vol. 8, No. 12

$3.50 in USA

$3.95 in Canada/£2.10 in U.K.

A McGraw-Hill Publication

0360-5280

the small systems journal

Adot
matrix printer

that will
improve your

image. i

Meet the Apple* Image-
writer, the newest dot matrix
printer for your Apple Personal
Computer.

And with all that it has
going for it, just maybe the
best dot matrix printer on
the market.

Take legibility, for
instance.

The Imagewriter crams
140 x 160 dots into each
square inch. So you get text
that's highly readable and high
resolution graphics, besides.

And is it fast.

The Imagewriter cruises
at an unbelievable
120 characters per
second. And that's
just in the text mode.
It's even faster
printing graphics. 180
characters per second,
to be exact.

What's more, the
graphics dump is up to
60% faster than other
comparably priced dot matrix
printers. And that makes the
Imagewriter fast enough to
handle the Lisa™

Yet it's just as at home with an
Apple III or Apple He. Thanks to Apple
software experts who designed the
control electronics to give the Image-
writer perfect compatibility. Not to
mention some special capabilities

APPLE PRESENTS TH

EIMA GE "WRITER APPLE PR

ESENTS THE IMAGEWRITER APPLE PRESEN1
S THE MAGEURITER APPLE PRESENTS THE MAGEURITER APPLI

like superscript and subscript, to
name just two.

Now, with all this high-speed
performance, you'd expect the
Imagewriter to make the Devil's
Own Noise. It doesn't. In fact,
the Imagewriter is specially
constructed — with overlaid
seams and special sound-
deadening materials — to achieve
a remarkable 53 dB. How loud is a
remarkable 53 dB? You'd make
more noise if you read this aloud.

The Imagewriter even has quiet
good looks, since we designed it to
look like the rest of the Apple Family.
Yet even with all
its improvements,
the Imagewriter is a
better deal than any
other dot matrix print-
er with comparable
performance. And you can print that.

Charge!

Go out there and get the Apple
Personal. Computer System you
really want. Now. Without laying out
your extra cash. Without tying up
your other lines of credit. With the
Apple Card. The only consumer credit
card reserved exclusively for the
purchase of Apple Computers, peri-
pherals and software.

Like all our products, it works
simply:

Fill out an application (short to
the point and annotated in English)
at an authorized Apple dealer
honoring the Caret. Your salesperson
will call in the application and in
most cases get an approval for you
right on the spot.

You can then take your Apple
system home. You don't even have to
wait for the Card; we'll mail it out
to you. And by the time you get it,
you'll probably be well into doing
whatever you bought your Apple
system to do.

There is no annual fee for the
Card, although a couple of restric-
tions do apply. The first purchase
must include an Apple Personal
Computer and you nave to put 10%
down. And subsequent purchases
need to be at least $100 if made with
the Card. Oh, yes — you'll also have
a credit limit.

When you use the Apple Card to
make additional purchases, all you
have to do is show the Card and sign
the invoice. As long as it's within
your credit limit, or course. Our
dealers get a little nervous when
someone signs for half their inven-
tory. You understand.

You'll also receive monthly
statements that include the latest
purchases, credit available, and the
minimum payment due. You '11 also
be happy to know Apple Card credit
terms are affordable and the pay-
ments can be spread out. It's all

spelled out for you
at the time your Card
is approved.

So stop by a participating
authorized Apple dealer and get
an Apple Card. Just think of it as
credit where credit is due.

GrveyDur floppydisks the boot.

We call it the "floppy disk
shuffle." It happens when you have
two or more software programs on
floppies and you need to work with
both. What do you do? You put one
disk in, boot it, do your work, take it
out, put the other disk in, boot it,
do your work — you get the idea.

Well, you can stop shuffling any
time now.

Thanks to a unique new soft-
ware program called Catalyst™ from
Quark, Inc. Specially designed for
your Apple III and ProFile™ hard disk.

Catalyst allows you to take a
wide variety of software programs
and store them on your ProFile. Once
they're on your ProFile, you just
select the program you want from the
Catalyst menu that appears on your
monitor — then Catalyst does the
rest. You'll never have to boot those
programs again.

What kinds of programs will
work with ProFile and Catalyst?

Almost anything written for the
Apple III including copy-protected
programs like VisiCalc* Quick File™
andApple Writer III. Or languages like
Pascal, BASIC, or COBOL.

And once you've loaded these
programs into your ProFile, the only
diskette you may ever need is the
Catalyst.

So if you have an Apple III and a
ProFile and more floppies than you
care to flip through, get yourself a
Catalyst. And boot those disks for good.

Apple Com/Mr lnc.20525UarimiL*v.Xuperlim,a95()N. for tlxtMimizalfypktk^

YisiCalc is a trademark of VisiCorp, Inc. Catahst is a trademark of Quark, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Quick File and lYoFile are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc.

Circle 27 on inquiry card.

In The Queue

BIT!

Volume 8, Number 12

Page 36

Page 48

Page 189

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Columns

36 Keep Power-Line Pollution Out of Your Computer by Steve Garcia / When
lightning struck his home and did S3000 worth of damage, Garcia decided to strike back
with this month's Circuit Cellar project.

48 BYTE West Coast: Microsoft Windows by Phil Lemmons / Microsoft Windows
lets you test the effectiveness of the desktop metaphor and the mouse.

59 User's Column: Buddy, Can You Spare a Door Latch? by Jerry Pournelle / What
to do when your disk-drive door is on the fritz and other comedies of errors at Chaos
Manor

Themes

100 Easy Software by Phil Lemmons / Making software easy to use is simpler to say
than to do. This month's theme articles explore a variety of approaches to user-interface
technology and sample programmers' attempts at making software do more with less effort.

103 An Introduction to Integrated Software by Dash Chang / Concurrency, shared
technology, and functional integration are three ways of integrating software.

113 Presentation and Form in User-Interface Architecture by John M. Carroll /

With the help of a test group, the author and his colleagues developed an interface that
facilitates ease of use and ease of learning.

127 Why Is Software So Hard to Use? by Sam Edwards / Chances are it's the soft-
ware's fault and not yours.

143 Walt Disney and User-Oriented Software by Paul Heckel / Software designers
can learn a few things from Mickey Mouse about communicating ideas.

155 Making Life Easier for Professional and Novice Programmers by Andy Pope,
Geoff Kates, and Dan Fineberg / A debugger that "animates" the program's source code
on the screen and lets the programmer engage in what-if analysis to find logic errors
can drastically reduce debugging time.

161 Simplify, Simplify, Simplify by Martin Dean / In an attempt to design a truly easy-
to-use database manager, the author disregarded nifty features and clever, complex func-
tions in favor of starting fresh.

177 Integrating Voice in the Office World by Robert T. Nicholson / The ability to
record a spoken message and store it digitally on a computer system makes possible a
whole new range of applications.

189 The Starburst User Interface by Steven Vandor / This software package helps

you build efficient, powerful menus.

199 The Complete Information-Management System by Michael J. Brown / The

ideal information-management package maximizes hardware attributes and minimizes user
interaction.

210 The Allegory of Software by Tom Houston / Tired of the same old desktop
metaphor? Maybe the digital kitchen is more up your alley

218 The New Interface Technology by Robert W Warfield and George M. White / A

close-up look at mice, windows, and other software and hardware developments that
make computer systems easier to use.

234 Trackball Interfacing Techniques for Microprocessors by Edward W Andrews /
This simple hardware/software interface device is easy to adapt to your interactive per-
sonal computer applications.

247 The User Interface: Two Approaches by Martin Herbach, Richard Katz, and
Joseph Landau / The philosophical vs. the pragmatic approach to the construction of
an efficient user interface.

263 The Future of Metaphor in Man-Computer Systems by Chuck Clanton / Learn-

ability is the single most important concern in user-interface design.

Page 199

BYTE is published monthly by McGraw-Hill Inc.. with offices at 70 Main St.. Peterborough. NH 03458. phone
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Postage paid at Winnipeg, Manitoba. Registration number 932 1 . Subscriptions are S2 1 for one year. S38 for two
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December 1983

Reviews

282 Reviewer's Notebook by Rich Malloy / BYTE's product-review editor comments
on products slated for review.

286 The Texas Instruments Professional Computer by Mark Haas / Based on In-
tel's 8088 16-bit chip. Tl's Professional Computer is the Data Systems Group's entry into
the personal computer arena.

329 The ATR8000 by Dave Small and Sandy Small / With SWP's Z80 computer, Atari
users can run CP/M-based programs.

343 The Hercules Graphics Card by Tom Wadlow / If you want crisp, attractive text
as well as graphics on the IBM PC, the Hercules Graphics Card is for you.

360 The Wang Professional Computer by Elaine Long / This 16-bit microcomputer
provides an easy-to-use word-processing program with sophisticated features.

372 In Search of the Most Amazing Thing by Elaine Holden / This adventure game
for the IBM PC. Apple, Atari, and Commodore 64 offers you an entire world to explore
in your quest for a hidden object.

Features

380 Color Graphics from Any Computer by Frederick B. Essig / How to make high-
quality full-color graphics from your black-and-white monitor.

400 Mainframe to Micro: Adapting a Financial-Modeling Language by Greg

Dunn / As the microcomputer moves into the office, software developers face new
challenges in translating existing mainframe software to the microcomputer environment.

417 POKEing Around in the IBM PC, Part 2: Subroutines for the BIOS Interface
and Screen-Display Disk Storage by Hugh R. Howson / In this final article, the author
develops a general-purpose BIOS-interface subroutine that can transfer parameters from
a BASIC program to the BIOS and can store BIOS results in memory.

443 The CMOS 6502 by Steven Hendrix / Rockwell's CMOS version of the 6502
microprocessor fills a number of gaps in the standard 6502 's instruction set and offers
low power-consumption advantages.

457 A Tiger Meets a Dragon by Dan Rollins / A look at dragon-curve designs and
how to print them on an IDS Paper Tiger printer.

481 A Computer-Algebra-Based Calculating System by Stuart Edwards / By per-
forming automatic unit conversion, this super-calculator saves time and effort and prevents
common errors.

519 The User Looks at Books by Jerry Pournelle / Jerry takes time out to round up
the best and worst books on CP/M, Pascal, C, and Ada.

Event Queue
What's New?

598 Book Reviews: Electroni-
cally Speaking: Computer
Speech Generation: Mastering
CP/M

Unclassified Ads
BYTE's Ongoing Monitor Box,
BOMB Results
Reader Service

Nucleus

4

Editorial: Christmas in Chapter XI

568

7

MICROBYTES

574

11

Letters

596

358,

594 BYTE's Bits: IBM
Announces the PCjr: Two New
Office Products from IBM

499

User to User

653

530

Software Received

654

546

Clubs and Newsletters

550

Books Received

655

554

Ask BYTE

Cover painting by Robert Tinney: photographs courtesy of Microsoft

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Subscription questions or problems should be addressed to:

BYTE Subscriber Service, POB 328, Hancock, IMH 03449

Page 286

Page 372

Page 380

nil

the small systems journal

Editor In Chief: Lawrence J. Curran
Managing Editor: Pamela A. Clark
Senior Technical Editors: Gregg Williams,
Richard Malloy, G. Michael Vose
Technical Editors: Richard S. Shuford, Arthur A.
Little, Stanley Wszola, Bruce Roberts, Gene
Smarte; Anthony J. Lockwood, New Products
Editor: Steve Ciarcia, Consulting Editor: Mark
Welch, Staff Writer; Alan Easton, Drafting Editor.
West Coast Editors: Philip Lemmons, Bureau
Chief; Donna Osgood, Assistant Editor. McGraw-
Hill, 425 Battery Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco,
CA 94111 [4 15) 362-4600
Copy Editors: Nancy Hayes, Chief; Warren
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Margaret Cook

Assistants: Faith Kluntz, Beverly Jackson, Lisa Jo
Steiner, Jeanann Waters, Peggy Dunham

Production: David R. Anderson, Assoc. Director;
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Advertising: Deborah Porter, Supervisor; Marion
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Marketing Communications: Horace T.
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Michele P. Verville, Research Manager

Business Manager: Daniel Rodrigues

Controller's Office: Kenneth A. King, Asst.

Controller, Mary E. Fluhr, Acct. & DIP Mgr.;

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Traffic: N. Scott Gagnon, Manager; Brian

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Editorial and Business Office: 70 Main Street,
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|603) 924-9281

Officers of McGraw-Hill Publications Company:
President: John G. Wrede; Executive Vice Presidents:
Paul F. McPherson, Operations; Walter D. Serwatka,
Finance & Services. Senior Vice President-Editorial:
Ralph R. Schulz. Senior Vice President Publishers:
Harry L Brown, David J. McGrath, James R. Pierce,
Gene W. Simpson, John E. Slater. Vice President
Publishers: Charlton H. Calhoun III, Richard H. Larsen,
John W. Patten. Vice Presidents: Kemp Anderson,
Business Systems Development; Shel F. Asen,
Manufacturing; Michael K. Hehir, Controller; Eric B.
Herr, Planning and Development; H. John Sweger,
Jr., Marketing.

Editorial

Christmas in Chapter XI

Personal computers are priced within the reach of many potential buyers
looking to reward themselves or their companies with some special indul-
gence at this time of year. If you've been thinking about buying a machine,
you've probably been weighing the performance specifications of several ven-
dor offerings. But have you included in your list of questions about hard-
ware and software one that could prevent you from making a selection you'll
later regret: Will the hardware manufacturer still be in business a year from
now?

You know that software availability usually lags behind hardware introduc-
tion, sometimes by months, so you'll want to know that a new machine can
run most of your existing software. And you'll certainly want assurance about
who will repair a new computer and how quickly. But in the midst of mut-
terings about a pending shakeout in the personal computer business and
hard evidence of company failures, how can you assure yourself about the
very viability of a vendor?

One attribute of a "survivor" company is solid financing, especially if the
company is a young one. The dollar drain triggered by graduation from the
start-up phase to volume production has ruined many a fast-growing new
company that found itself unable to deliver finished goods because of a cash
shortage that resulted in an inability to pay for parts.

Innovative start-ups sometimes get distracted by an infatuation with tech-
nology, regardless of the technology's market appeal. Such a situation often
leads to the development of a computer that has esoteric appeal but that
will not attract enough software development to assure market acceptance
for the product and company.

The breadth of its product line is another characteristic of a successful com-
puter vendor, whether the company is a start-up or a proven survivor. Firms
that hitch their fortunes to narrow niches— those that serve only the port-
able computer market, for example— face more risks than those whose prod-
uct lines have entries in several niches at several price points.

Buyers should consider other important attributes of successful computer
companies as well, including the company's approach to mass distribution,
which often assures quick delivery and repair, when needed. But perhaps
the most important question that should be answered is whether the com-
pany whose product you're considering is truly a computer company. If no-
body in top management in the company has sound computer hardware
or software credentials, the company may be a conglomerate or a semicon-
ductor manufacturer whose long-term commitment to the computer business
is questionable.

Several years ago, the then Philco-Ford Corporation and GTE Sylvania,
both broadly recognized as reputable manufacturers of consumer and military
electronic products, were also in the merchant semiconductor market. They
aren't today, probably because when their commercial semiconductor opera-
tions ran into financial difficulties, as any business will, nobody in top man-
agement came from semiconductor roots; there wasn't any senior "sponsor"
to sustain a commitment to that business.

So read all you can about the companies whose products are on your list,
and ask a lot of questions. Otherwise, you could end up with a computer
from a supplier who spends this or next Christmas in Chapter XI bankrupt-
cy proceedings. —Lawrence J. Curran, Editor in Chief

4 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

How Cromemco plugs

you into the
state of the art.

Cromemco offers you the most
complete line of S-100 boards and
peripherals in the business. These
boards use the new IEEE-696 state-of-
the-art standard. One-stop shopping
can satisfy your design needs the easy
way.

You can build one system, or a
hundred, exactly the way you want,
and upgrade existing systems with a
simple board swap or addition. And
since we design our own boards for
our own systems, we always take
advantage of the latest developments
in IC technology.

68000 microprocessor performance.
Cromemco's Dual Processor Unit
gives you the best of both worlds: the

68000 and the Z-80A microproc-
essors on the same board. It's the
easiest way to move into 68000 per-
formance and still use your existing
8-bit software. Or use Cromemco's
Z-80A CPU board or our Z-80A-based
single board computer.

For selection, Cromemco can't be
matched. From the well-known SDI
High Resolution Color Graphics board
to the new 512MSU, 512K byte RAM
board. From our highly reliable Local
Area Network interface (C-NET) to our
wide variety of general purpose inter-
face boards. And you can put them in
one of our 8-, 12-, or 21-slot card
cages with our 12 amp PS-8 power
supply to get your system into opera-
tion fast.

We have over 30 S-100 boards to
fill your needs. And all are supported
by a broad line of software. Our Board
Products Catalog has the latest in-
formation. Call today for your copy, or
to get the name of our nearest dealer
or distributor. Or, write Cromemco,
Inc., 280 Bernardo Avenue, P.O. Box
7400, Mountain View, CA 94039.
Tel: (415) 964-7400. In Europe:
Cromemco A/S, Vesterbrogade IC,
1620 Copenhagen, Denmark.

In the U.S., contact your local
Hall-Mark or Kierulff distributor.

Cromemco

Circle 127 on inquiry card.

*£<■*£

Site .*&•*-■ •'

•;•.;--

H

'->/ I ■

CHAMELEON I1995 Complete

bySEEQUA

The IBM" Compatible Computer

BOTH WORLDS OF
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Using a unique dual processor
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ible providing the largest soft-
ware support available.

TWICE THE MEMORY

128K bytes RAM are standard,
internally expandable to 256K.
And 320K formatted disk stor-
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SOFTWARE INCLUDED

Your computer is delivered
with SEEQUAs MS-DOS,
compatible with the IBM

standard 16 bit PC-DOS oper-
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and Perfect Calc for financial
analysis. And it has MBasic to
let you write your own routines.
Chameleon comes standard
with 640x200 resolution black
and white graphics and 320 x
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EXPANDABLE

Chameleon has both serial and
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can add an additional serial
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can even use IBM PC com-
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FITS IN YOUR
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Chameleon is at home in your
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To learn more about
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(301) 672-3600 or
(800) 638-6066

The following are registered trademarks:

CP/M-80 — Digital Research Inc.

MS-DOS — Microsoft*

PC-DOS — IBM

Perfect Writer— Perfect Software

Perfect Calc — Perfect Software

MBasic — Microsoft"

IBM — international Business Machines

Circle 382 on Inquiry card.

MICROBYTES

Staff-written highlights of late developments in the microcomputer industry.

IBM SHOWS TWO VERSIONS OF THE PCjr, PROMISES DELIVERY IN '84

IBM announced the PCjr, its long-awaited home computer that was code-named "Peanut." This new
machine features an 8088 microprocessor, 64K bytes of RAM, and a detached keyboard linked via in-
frared light. The new machine also features two cartridge slots for game cartridges, a joystick, a light
pen, and serial connectors. Two configurations will be offered. The "Entry" system, which has no disk
drive, will sell for $669. The "Enhanced" system, which features a 5% -inch half-height floppy-disk drive
(360K bytes) and 128K bytes of RAM, will cost $1269. The Enhanced system will run many, but not all,
IBM PC programs. Deliveries of these machines should begin in the first quarter of 1984. For more
details, see page 358.

IBM ALSO ANNOUNCES A COLOR PRINTER

In what seemed to be a flurry of new product announcements, IBM added yet one more: the IBM Per-
sonal Computer Color Printer. This new printer features three printing modes: data-processing quality
(200 characters per second), text quality (110-150 char/sec), and near-letter-quality (30-40 char/sec).
With a "Process" ribbon, which has four bands of color (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow), the printer
can print eight colors. The printer also supports proportional spacing and bit-mapped graphics and is
compatible with the IBM Graphics Printer.

TWO CHIP MAKERS ANNOUNCE NEW VERSIONS OF MICROPROCESSORS

National Semiconductor, Santa Clara, CA, is shipping samples of its 32032 microprocessor, with full
production of the CMOS chip scheduled for April 1984. The NS32032 shares the same 32-bit internal
architecture as the NS08032 and NS16032 (the 8- and 16-bit data-bus versions), but its 32-bit data
bus allows it to execute more than 1 million instructions per second. While the NS32032 now sells for
$220 in quantity, National Semiconductor expects the price to drop to between $20 and $60 by 1985.

The Western Design Center, Mesa, AZ, is preparing to begin test production of the 65816, a 16-bit
CMOS version of the popular 6502 microprocessor used in Apple, Commodore, and Atari computers.
The processor, which uses an 8-bit data bus and allows 24-bit addressing (to address up to 16
megabytes of RAM), will come in two versions, one of which will be pin-compatible with the existing
6502 so that it can be used in the same equipment, according to the designer. The Western Design
Center plans to begin full production in the first half of 1984, with a price of about $20 per chip. Once
that chip is in production, WDC also hopes to prepare a 32-bit version with a 16-bit data bus.

Hayden Software, Lowell, MA, is preparing an assembler and a Pascal compiler for the 65816, to be
available in early 1984.

WANG INTRODUCES DIGITIZING IMAGE SCANNER FOR THE PROFESSIONAL COMPUTER

Wang Laboratories, Lowell, MA, has given its Professional Computer "eyes" in the form of a desktop
scanner that digitizes images at a resolution of 200 dots per inch (1728 by 2200 pixels for the
maximum 11- by 14-inch image). Images can be enlarged, reduced, or rotated 90 degrees and merged
with word-processing text. The complete Professional Image Computer, with a 10-megabyte hard disk
(to store about 100 images), monitor, thermal printer, and image scanner, sells for $14,965.

CALIFORNIA COMPANY DEVELOPING GALLIUM ARSENIDE COMPUTER CIRCUITS

Gigabit Logic Inc., Newbury Park, CA, expects to have GaAs semiconductor devices ready for customer
sampling by February or March. Gallium arsenide is superior to silicon for high-speed logic and memory
components because it permits greater mobility for electrons moving through the semiconductor.

Gigabit Logic says GaAs RAM devices could have access times of 1 nanosecond, compared to 5 to 7
nanoseconds for the fastest silicon RAMs. Logic circuits made with GaAs are expected to operate 3 to
10 times faster than today's fastest silicon logic. Gigabit's first products will include various small- and
medium-scale ICs; the first 1-nanosecond RAMs could be available for sampling in the first quarter of
1985. GaAs circuits will be priced substantially higher than similarly sized silicon logic and memory
devices, but computer manufacturers may be willing to pay an initial premium to get the higher speed
offered. One of the first applications of GaAs devices in small computers may be as display generators,
offering high-speed, high-resolution graphics.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 7

MICROBYTES.

SHUGART UNVEILS A $6000 OPTICAL-DISK DRIVE WITH 1 GIGABYTE OF STORAGE

Shugart Corp., Sunnyvale, CA, has announced a 1-gigabyte (1-billion character) laser-based optical-disk
drive with a volume price of $6000 each (plus $1500 for an SCSI controller). The drive uses
nonerasable 12-inch optical disks, which cost between $100 and $150 each. Shugart suggests that the
first use of optical storage might be as a file server for networked personal computers. Shugart sells
ZV*-, 5%-, and 8-inch disks to computer manufacturers and will target the optical drive to the same
market.

NEW SOFTWARE INTRODUCED FOR IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER

Mosaic Software, Cambridge, MA, has announced Integrated Six, a $495 integrated-software package
including spreadsheet, database-management, word-processing, graphics, communications, and terminal-
emulation capabilities. . . .Symmetric Software, Newport Beach, CA, is offering Blue, a multiple-window
color word processor for $150. . . .Quicksort, Seattle, WA, sells PC -Write, a word-processing package,
for $10. Quicksoft encourages users to copy the program but charges $75 to register the program.
Registered users receive updates and bound documentation. . . .Scientia Inc., Wellesley, MA, introduced
Concept VP, a window-oriented operating environment for the IBM PC. The $350 program will enable
users to switch between application programs using a mouse or cursor keys. . . .Excalibur Technologies
Corp., Albuquerque, NM, is now selling IBM PC versions of Savvy, its natural-language database-
management system previously available only for the Apple II Plus and Me. Three versions are available,
ranging from $349 to $950. . . .Concentric Data Systems, Westborough, MA, plans to offer an easy-to-
use database-management program for the IBM PC. The Concentric Information Processor will sell for
$395.

NAN0BYTES

IBM has announced two new versions of the Personal Computer: the XT/370 and the 3270 PC. See
page 594 for details. . . .Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA, has announced a $325 database-management
program for the Apple III. Apple has also developed a programmer's toolkit for the Lisa computer. Lisa
Port provides the complicated software needed to manage the mouse- and window-based environment,
thus enabling most software developers to run their applications on the Lisa. . . .CompuServe, Columbus,
OH, will test the effects of advertisements and direct-marketing offers on its information service
beginning in January. One- or two-line spot ads will be used on menu pages, and catalog and product
information will also be available during the four-month pilot program. . . . Hitachi Ltd., Tokyo, has
developed an 8-inch floppy-disk drive using a special disk with an unformatted capacity of 9.6
megabytes. Samples of the drive will be available next month for about $1075. . . . Microcom Inc.,
Norwood, MA, has introduced ERA-2, a communications system for the IBM PC and the Apple lie.
Including software and a 1200-bps modem, ERA-2 will sell for $429. . . .Intel Corp., Santa Clara, CA,
has announced a nonvolatile 4K-byte RAM chip made by backing up 4K bytes of RAM (with an access
time of 200 nanoseconds) with a 4K-byte EEPROM. The 2004 nonvolatile RAM will be available in early
1984 at a price of $25.10 each in 100-unit quantities. . . .Texas Instruments, Lubbock, TX, cancelled
plans to introduce the 99/8 home computer this fall. . . .Compaq Computer Corp., Houston, TX, is
shipping the Compaq Plus, a hard-disk version of its IBM PC-compatible portable computer. The $4995
machine includes a 3y2-inch hard disk mounted with a shock-isolation system. . . .Seagate Technology,
Scotts Valley, CA, is shipping samples of a 12-megabyte half-height 5%-inch hard-disk drive. The ST212
is designed for portable computer applications and will sell for $690 in 1000-unit quantities. . . .Enter
Computer, San Diego, CA, has introduced a six-pen plotter, the Sweet Pea Model 600, for
$1075. . . .Bridge Communications, Cupertino, CA, has announced Communications Server/100, which
connects 10 RS-232C devices to Ethernet for as little as $3900. . . .Micro Office Systems Technology,
Fairfield, CT, has introduced the Road Runner, a 5-pound notebook-size portable computer with
cartridge-based software and memory and an 8-line by 80-character LCD built into its flip-up cover. The
Z80-based system with 64K bytes of RAM, bundled software, a serial port, and a built-in 300-bps
modem sells for $1895. . . .Compugraphic Corp., Wilmington, MA, has introduced the Personal
Composition System, which links the Apple Lisa to a Compugraphic typesetter. The system, which is
priced from $26,895 including the Lisa and typesetter, was designed for office users who want
typeset-quality computer output.

8 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

a^s.

=»"

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Easy Access to News /Retrieval®

This software automatically dials and connects
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The Right Amount of Software
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The INVESTMENT EVALUATOR gives you
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Copyright © 1983 Dow Jones & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

Circle 158 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

With all the clamor about personal computers,

a fundamental fact is often overlooked:

some simply work better than others.

Consider the COMR\Q Portable.

A computer will make you more
productive. A computer will
make you more efficient. You hear it
everywhere. But you don't hear about
which computer actually works best.

A computer isn't magic. It's a tool.
And just like other tools, some com-
puters work better than others.

The COMPAQ™ Portable is a combi-
nation of 20th-century electronics and
19th-century pragmatism. It simply does
personal computing better. Here's why.

Works in more places

You don't do all your thinking in one
place. Why have a computer that stays
in one place?

The COMPAQ Portable has all the
capabilities of a large desktop com-
puter. But now those capabilities can
go where you go.

You can move it from office to office
to share its resources. You can move
it into the conference room to answer
questions when and where they come up.

With the COMPAQ Portable, you
can be as productive in your hotel
room or your lake house as in your own
office. It's a reliable companion on a
business trip. It's a powerful sales aid in
your customer's office.

What's more productive than a com-
puter? A computer that works for you
in more places.

Works with the
greatest number
of programs

The most important
consideration when
you choose a computer
is "what programs will
it run?" And that's one
more reason for choosin
the COMPAQ Portable
The COMPAQ Porta
ble runs more programs

The COMPAQ Portable was
designed to fit under a stand-
ard airline seat so you can take
it on business trips.

^P^^^- The unique alu-

minum frame of the
COMPAQ Portable has cross-
members tluit strengthen it front-to-
back, side-to-side, and top-to-bottom. It's a
design practice commonly used in race cars.

than any other portable. In fact, it runs
more than most non-portables. That's
because it runs all the popular pro-
grams written for the IBM® Personal
Computer. There are hundreds of
them. They are available in computer
stores all over the country, and they
run without any modification, right off
the shelf.

Imagine the power of a portable word
processor. There are dozens of different
word processing programs available for
the COMPAQ Portable.

Planning, problem-solving, and
"what-ifs" are a cinch with a variety of
popular electronic spreadsheet pro-
grams. The COMPAQ Portable runs
them all.
There are accounting programs for
anything from computerizing your
family budget to full-scale
professional management
« of payables, receivables,
Bi inventory, and

payroll for your
company.

There are pro-
grams for making
charts and programs for
communicating with
other computers. Or if
you want something
really specialized, there
are even program lan-
guages for writing your
own programs.

So, you get portabil-
ity and you don't give

up problem-solving power. The combi-
nation adds up to the most useful per-
sonal computer on the market today.

Works better because
it's easy to read

The display screen of the COMPAQ
Portable measures nine inches diago-
nally. It shows a full "page width" of 80
characters on a line so tasks like word
processing are easier. And those char-
acters are big enough to read even if
you're leaning back in your chair.
The display shows both high- resolution
graphics and
easy-to-read,
upper- and
lowercase
characters.
One screen

There are hundreds

oj useful programs for

COMPAQ Portable because it runs

all the popular programs written for the IBM .

for all the information. With some
personal computers, including the
IBM, you can have either the graphics
or the legible characters, but you can't
have both unless you buy two different
displays.

Incidentally, computer prices are
often quoted without a display. The dis-
play of the COMPAQ Portable is built
in, of course.

Add-on options make it work
the way you work

Inside the COMPAQ Portable are three
open slots. Electronic devices called ex-
pansion boards fit those slots and give
the COMPAQ Portable new powers.

Just like the programs, expansion
boards designed for the IBM work with
the COMPAQ Portable, so there are
dozens available right now. With them,
you can make your personal computer
more personal.

Want to check a stock price? Or look
up something in The New York Times
Information Service? One expansion
board enables the COMPAQ Portable
to handle those communications over
ordinary phone lines.

Want to use your company's central
computer files while you're on a
trip? There are boards that allow the
COMPAQ Portable to communicate
with a variety of large mainframe
computers.

Other boards let you hook up con-
trollers for computer games or increase
memory capacity. Still others let you
connect personal computers in a net-
work so several people in your office
can share the same information.

Inside the
COMPAQ Por-
table are three slots
for optional electronics
that can add new capabili-
■ ties. Most portables have none.

Works better because
it's tough enough for the road

Portable doesn't just mean smaller. Por-
table means tough, too.

The COMPAQ Portable was built to
withstand the hard knocks of constant
travel. An aluminum frame within the
case completely surrounds the com-
puter's working components. Each disk
drive is mounted in rubber shock ab-
sorbers instead of being bolted directly
to the frame.

To test internal components, the
COMPAQ Portable was subjected to
impacts of 40 G's while running a pro-
gram. After impacts on each side, there
was no internal damage and the pro-
gram was still running. Without error.

Computers are for getting rid of wor-
ries, not giving you new ones.

Designed to help you
work better, too

The COMPAQ Portable was designed
to feel good.

Specifications

Software

D Runs all the popular programs

written for the IBM PC
Memory

□ 128K bytes RAM

□ Expandable to 640K bytes
Storage

□ One 320K-byte minifloppy disk
drive, second drive optional

Display

D 9-inch (diagonal) monochrome
screen

□ 25 lines by 80 characters

□ Upper- and lowercase, high-
resolution text characters

□ High-resolution graphics
Expansion board slots

□ Three IBM PC-compatible slots
Interfaces

□ Parallel printer interface

□ RGB color monitor interface

□ Composite video monitor interface
D TV RF modulator interface

D Communications interface

optional
Physical specifications

□ Totally self-contained and
portable

□ 20"W x 8'/2"H x 16"D

The keyboard is detached so it can fit
into your most comfortable working
position.

The keyboard cable remains con-
nected at all times. So you don't have
to unpack it and hook it up every time
you use your computer.

Because the display is built in, the
COMPAQ Portable makes a neat,

small package on your desk, instead of
a big obstacle you have to talk around.
The built-in display also avoids the usual
cable clutter because there's no need
for separate cables for the display.

The COMPAQ Portable even has an
electronically synthesized sound to cre-
ate the familiar keyclick of a typewriter.
With a simple keyboard command you
can adjust the volume to suit the level
of background noise in your office.

The added usefulness
is free

The COMPAQ Portable can do what
desktop computers do and do it in more
places. But it doesn't cost any more
than an ordinary desktop.

In fact, it costs hundreds less than a
comparably equipped IBM or Apple®
III. The COMPAQ Portable comes
standard with one disk drive and 128K
bytes of memory, both of which are
usually extra-cost options. A second
disk drive and additional memory are
available to make your COMPAQ
Portable even more powerful.

The bottom line is this — you just
can't buy a more practical, useful, pro-
ductive computer. Before you decide
on a computer, you owe it to yourself
to compare the COMPAQ Portable.

For the location of the Authorized
Dealer nearest you, call 1-800-
231-9966.

•IW1 COMPAQ Computer Corporation

COMPAQ™ is a trademark of COMPAQ CcmipurfrCorpor.il ion.

IBM* is a registered trademark oflnternatfonal Business Machine!

Corporation.

Apple* is n registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc.

r

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X r r r i r iv v v v r
T i i i i vvv\ \ v v
y r i i r r.rv \ \

comma

The most computer you can carry

Circle 44 on inquiry card.

SERIAL PORT

BTA's MODEL 524 MULTIPORT
CONTROLLER is a code activated one
to four serial port expander — but that's
not all since it has separate and indepen-
dent UARTS, buffers and handshaking
each port can operate with a different
configuration, i.e. different baud rates,
stop bits, etc. These features also permit
two or more devices to communicate
with the 524 simultaneously.

Letter-quality
printer

High sp««d
printer

/ Terminal

Full duplex with EIA RS-232 protocol

Baud rates up to 19,200

Expansion to 16 ports by cascading

Peripheral ports may be configured
by user software

One year warranty

•MODEL 524 $249.00

MODEL 524A $279.00

same as model 524 except has 256 byte
rx/tx buffers per port

•MODEL 524 D $269.00

same as model 524, plus continuous poll-
ing of each peripheral device for data
transfer requests. The device is auto-
matically connected when its 'turn comes
up . ON, BUSY and OFF messages are
sent to the peripheral device.

'Other models available — Contact us or
your dealer for additional information.

. BAY TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES, inc..

' HIGHWAY 603, RO. BOX 387

BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI 39520
16011 467-8231

Letters

Subtle Features of the HP-75

While I liked Rowland Archer's review
of the HP-75 (September, page 178), I
found that it hardly scratched the surface
of this remarkable machine and did not
address many of its strongest, albeit
subtle, features.

Perhaps this machine's most attractive
feature is its ability to enable a RAM-
based BASIC program to interact with
other RAM-based files and its ability to
transform a text file to BASIC and vice
versa. This may not sound like much, but
it opens the door to many advanced ap-
plications. For example:

• A BASIC program can be written to
take a FORTRAN source in a text file and
"edit" it into BASIC under program con-
trol.

• A program generator for numerical-
equation solving can be written in less
than 3.5K bytes. Allowing unlimited
length variables, it enables the user to
specify only equations, rewriting them to
the required BASIC syntax, determining
I/O (input/output) variables, and auto-
matically supplying all I/O and control
statements.

•A friendly relational database allowing
multicharacter field names and permit-
ting complex Boolean inquiry expressions
takes but 2.5K bytes.
•Artificial intelligence types take note:
an HP-75 program can be made to edit
itself (shades of LISP). A few BASIC
statements are all it takes.

Tine multiple-file structure allows other
seemingly impossible feats. A user can
manually interrupt a running program,
call another from the keyboard, then con-
tinue the first from where he or she left
off— no loss of data, pending returns, etc.

The HP-75 operating system is beauti-
fully integrated with the BASIC, and all
catalog information is accessible, permit-
ting BASIC to perform as a job control
language. I wrote a full menu-driven
operating system in 931 bytes.

The editor is very nice. The Fetch key
performs a "find" function, a sorely
missed feature on most other machines.
Additionally, the keyboard is totally re-
definable. Keys can be redefined as other
letters, strings, commands, whatever.

The one-line display is not as bad as
some would think, and an 80-column,
25-line video adapter is now available

from Mountain Computer Corporation.

Lastly, the HP-75 is extremely fast for
floating-point number crunching. While
it is slow using an empty FOR/NEXT loop
or prime-number program as a measure,
it will easily outdistance an Apple,
TRS-80, or TRS 80/M-100. The IBM is
faster, but the IBM Personal Computer's
transcendental functions are accurate to
only 6.5 digits compared to the HP's 15
digits. The recently released Math ROM
adds matrix operations, complex variable
types, and root solvers (to name a few)
to the language, giving the HP-75 the
most convenient BASIC available for
numerical work.

I am admittedly biased toward my
HP-75 but I feel it has been overlooked by
many, probably because of its form fac-
tor. It is not just another hand-held com-
puter but a unique and powerful com-
puter system, and it warrants greater at-
tention from the technical press. The ar-
ticle in the September BYTE was a first
step.

James A. Walters
4171 Antler Trail
Smyrna, GA 30080

I am a proud owner of an HP-75 por-
table computer and I think I know almost
everything there is to know about this in-
credible machine.

Rowland Archer's review (September,
page 178) describes the machine fairly
well. But I think he should have done
more research before attempting to re-
view this product.

Archer says in his conclusion: "How-
ever, it does tie you to HP's devices,
rather than letting you use devices that
interface to standard serial or parallel
ports such as modems."

This is false. I use my HP-75 with an
Epson FX-80 printer with a parallel inter-
face, and with a Muraphone 300-bps (bits
per second) modem. This little machine
can be used with almost any interface
(serial, parallel, or HPIB bus). There are
HP-IL interface converters on the market
that enable you to use this computer with
any other interface.

Walter Yadegar
POB 687
Skokie, IL 60076

Rowland Archer Jr. replies:
I am glad to hear that these interfaces are

12 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Get The Computer

That Blew Their Socks
Off At Comdex.

c

The name is HeadStartT the microcomputer that wowed
the crowd at Las Vegas.

We're accepting orders now for the smallest, smartest,
fastest, most powerful business computer you can buy.

For the Intertec dealer nearest you, call or write: Intertec,
2300 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

Phone:803-798-9100. • * *

intertec.

* Scheduled availability
January, 1984.

Circle 236 on inquiry card.

Letters.

available. None of the literature accompany-
ing the review machine mentioned this capa-
bility, and I have never seen it advertised. In-
terested HP-75 owners should contact Mr.
Yadegar or their HP dealer for details on avail-
ability and prices.

Poor Support from Epson
Riles User

David Ramsey was much too lenient in
his comments on Epson's poor support
of the HX-20 ("Epson's HX-20 and Texas
Instruments' CC-40," September, page

193.) Sure, the people at Epson hurt
themselves by not taking advantage of
their early lead in this market of the
future, but they also hurt their early
customers. (I am one of them, and not
very happy about it!)

Consider the HX-20 from a customer's
point of view— mine. In October 1982 I
called Epson and asked if the HX-20
would support machine language. Sure,
they said, so I bought a shiny new HX-20
(without the cassette drive or Skiwriter).
The only documentation that came with
the HX-20 was a skinny little "Operations

See us at Comdex Booth -R8624

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Guide" that didn't help much. Two
months later the BASIC manuals and a
couple of Mickey Mouse (apologies to
Walt Disney) software cassettes showed
up, together with the extra-cost microcas-
sette drive. The BASIC manuals describe
the BASIC adequately, but for informa-
tion on the machine language the man-
uals refer you to the HX-20 Technical Ref-
erence Manual. I promptly (in February
1983) ordered the manual. The dealer said
he didn't have it yet, but promised it by
April 15. That date came and went and
still no manual. Ditto May 15, June 15,
July 15, and August 15.

During this time, I sent numerous let-
ters to Epson yielding prompt replies that
said nothing about the HX-20 Technical
Reference Manual, the promised display
controller, disk drive, software, user
group, or anything else that would have
been useful.

Of course, the display controller will
only be a 32-column, 16-line TV toy any-
way, so I might as well write the whole
thing off as a loss and start over. But let
it be known that this buyer is more wary
now. Next time the support comes first,
then I put out the cash.

B. H. Geyer

108 Sun Harbor Dr.

Liverpool, NY 13088

Starting FORTH as a
Textbook

I have several disagreements with
Thomas Clune's review (September,
page 494) of Starting FORTH by Leo
Brodie.

I used Starting FORTH when teaching
a course in 1982. We found many of the
pictures quite helpful. In particular, mak-
ing people out of INTERPRET, WORD,
EXECUTE, and the compiler provided
students with memory "hooks" that
made explanations easier.

It's true that Brodie covers all the built-
in features of FORTH including the hard,
subtle things. But it's these features that
account for much of FORTH's power.
Virtually all tutorials avoid serious discus-
sion of things like CREATE DOES > leav-
ing a misleading impression of the lan-
guage. Starting FORTH worked well in
my class; it needed little extra explana-
tion compared to most texts I use. (I must
admit that the students were already
good programmers; Clune may be right
about the effect of the latter part of the
book on less experienced readers.)

INTRODUCING

A

in«ni

Imifililill Lll

YOU'LL LOVE THE VIEW!

With UltraTerm, the revolutionary new card
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You'll revel in the scenics of a whole year of
records stretching out across your screen.

You'U also delight in the new horizon of 80
columns by 48 lines — double the lines
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possible before!

Another breath-taking view of UltraTerm — it
delivers absolutely flicker-free, state of the art
display with 8x12 character matrix giving
you preposterously clear, readable charac-
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on your screen (a whopping 4096 possible),
but they'll also be larger and more readable
than the characters you read every day in
Circle 445 on inquiry card.

. 299 Equipment r
.599 2nd office

Pholo of actual-size

characters on Apple

Monitor III.

your newspaper! And
you can differentiate
those characters in
several modes: nor-
mal (white on black),
inverse (black on
white), bright inten-
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UltraTerm. Come on over and enjoy the view.
Suggested retail price: $379

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Apple and the Apple logo are registered trademarks of Apple

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CP M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, inc.

See us at Comdex Booth #1977.

We'vealwaysscrid

SuperCalc is the world's most

useable spreadsheet.

At first, all spreadsheets seem
to give you about the same things.
Until you put them to work. Then
you'll find out if they do everything
you expected. Or make you do
everything the hard way.

You know what makes the differ-
ence? It's not just having the new-
est, whizziest features, but what
those features actually do for you
in the real world. And that's the
whole idea behind SuperCalc and
SuperCalc2. Because they've
been designed to work with you in
a natural, intuitive way.

What we're really talking about
here is useability. When you get
right down to it, it's not any one big
thing, but a combination of little
things. Like the number of key-
strokes it takes to get a job done.
Or the effort it takes to switch from
one function to another. Maybe a
few keystrokes here and there
doesn't seem like much of a differ-
ence. Or having to change disks
to plot a graph. But when you multi-
ply those little things by the thou-
sands of times you do them, they
make all the difference in the world.

Even the size of the spreadsheet
is important. Some programs
promise you a huge area to work
with. Unfortunately, they can use
so much of the computer's avail-
able memory just keeping track
of all the blank cells that you're left
with only a handful. But we've
designed SuperCalc to give you
the largest useable spreadsheet.

If you look at the printout below,
you'll see a lot more examples of
what we mean. And we think you'll
realize why this is the most use-
able spreadsheet in the world.

Text can

"spill over" into

next column

Calendar/Date
calculations

Dictionary sort
order (not ASCII)

Two key
sort

User-set decimal
places

Data management
capability

Negatives shown
in()

cwF/ce auffMAKY gran.

St+ff CcxtyaJ jmant A Avjr«gm- Rstwmt

fi*rtnmr 2 *9?. 300

Hmn*gmr- JT JH4.6&7

Smmor J *31. OOO

St*/* 2 S4X.OOO

Nowyoucan
drawyourown conclusions.

SuperCalc?

Now we're introducing our new-
est version, SuperCalc3, which
comes complete with the kind of
graphics you'd expect to find in a
program that does everything else
so well. We give you full color. And
presentation quality. Plus eight
different type styles to choose
from. And new financial features
like internal rate of return. We've
even integrated all these functions
onto one single disk. Which means
you don't have to change disks
all the time. Or settle for a weak
spreadsheet and low-resolution
graphics just for the sake of getting

both in the same package.

As you might expect, we've
made SuperCalc3 100% com-
patible with SuperCalc and
SuperCalc2. So you can move
up to it whenever you're ready.
You can even convert your VisiCalc
files.The SuperCalc family is
available for CP/M, CP/M-86, Con-
currentCP/M-86, MP/M, MS-DOS
and PC-DOS operating systems.
Right now, SuperCalc3 is available
forthe IBM PC, PCXTand IBM PC
compatibles. It's only $395. And
soon it'll beavailableforalotmore
personal computers.

SuperCalc3. When you're really
serious about spreadsheets, this
is the one you'll wind up using. But
don't take our word for it. Go try
SuperCalc3 at your computer store
today. And draw your own
conclusions.

CP/M.* CP/M-86? Concurrent CP/M-86.andMP/M* are trademarks of
Digital Research. MS*-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM* is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
VisiCalc" is a trademark of Visicorp. s 1983 Sorcim Corporation.

Supercedes

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Letters — ^— ^— — —

Before teaching the course, I had con-
sidered writing my own book on
FORTH, one that would explain the
really subtle and powerful features of the
basic system. After studying Brodie's text
and teaching from it, I decided that that
particular publishing niche is well filled
already.

I do agree with Tom Clune on a
couple of points: "...[Starting FORTH]
desperately needs a real index. Nonethe-
less, if you want to learn FORTH, you
will need this book."

Vernor Vinge
Associate Professor
Department of Math Sciences
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182

Wrong Aliases

Having an interest in the use of Unix
in the commercial marketplace, I read
"The Unix Tutorial Part 2: Unix as an Ap-
plications-Programs Base" (September,
page 257) with anticipation. Since David
Fiedler's intended audience was ap-

parently the Unix novice, I thought I had
better point out a problem with his ex-
amples of renaming the "terse" com-
mand names.

While all of Mr. Fiedler's examples
would work in most cases, he unfor-
tunately decided to rename the "mv"
and "cp" command. I use the term
"command" rather than "commands"
because they are one and the same pro-
gram as in the "In" command. This pro-
gram knows which function it is to per-
form by the name used. If a name other
than "cp," "mv," or "In" is used, the
program will default to the "cp" (copy)
function. In this particular case, the user
would not achieve the desired result
either by renaming the command or by
linking the desired name.

The alternative solutions of using the
"alias" function for the UCB C-Shell or
creating a shell program for the Bourne
Shell are not only desirable in this case,
but also necessary.

Ron Spizzirri, Technical Manager
Analysts International Corporation
650 Woodfield Dr.
Schaumburg, IL 60195

C Source-Code Formatting

I was overjoyed to see my preferred
style of C source-code formatting in
Houston, Brodrick, and Kent's article on
CP/M-86 C compilers (page 82) in the
August issue. I have always instinctive-
ly used that format, despite pressure to
conform to convention, because it feels
better to me.

I feel strongly that the matching-braces-
in-the-same-column formatting style is
preferable and hope that it will find wide
acceptance, or at least tolerance, par-
ticularly by anyone who imposes format-
ting standards on programmers.

Peter Cann
Atari Incorporated
5 Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142

Unix Wasn't the First

"The History of Unix" (August, page
188) is interesting, but there is a major
problem with the statement: "Until Unix,
operating systems were written exclu-
sively in assembly language."

• Compatible with popular
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(JSCD. CP/M is a registered trademark of
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rffiffa

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'Does not include operating system or application software.
PerComNet and PHD are trademarks ol Percom Data Corporation. • IBM is a registered trademark ol International Business Machines. • MS-DOS is a Irademark ol Microsoft, Inc.
CP M is a registered trademark ol Digital Research. • UNIX is a trademark ol Bell Laboratories. • uNETix is a registered trademark of Lantech Systems Incorporated.
COPYRIGHT Percom Data Corporation 1983 • All prices, and descriptions subject to change wilh notice.

A name to remember for memory in a hurry.

Jtashcnrd

disk emulator for Apple computers

Packaged with business software
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Or, flashcard is packaged alone with
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flashcard with MagiCalc $595
flashcard, 144k disk $349

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"■' Fl.ishcnid is a registered trademark ot Synelix. Inc . 1983
""'Apple isii registered trademark ol Apple Computer, Inc
tM MagiCalc is a registered trademark ol Artsci. Inc
U'CPIM is .1 registered trademark ol Digital Research, Inc
"•'dBase II is a registered trademark ol AshtonTate
"'WordStar is a registered trademark ol MircroPro

Letters — —

Wrong!

The Burroughs B-5000 computer re-
leased in 1963 and later rereleased as the
B-5500 used a multiprogramming/multi-
processing operating system written in a
superset of ALGOL-60 called ESPOL.
There has never been an assembly lan-
guage and assembler for any of the Bur-
roughs large computers including the
B5700, B6500, B5900, B6700, B6800,
B6900, B7700, B7800, B7900.

Harlan S. Barney, Jr.
Chief, EDP Technical Services
NYS Department of Transportation
Albany, NY 12232

What About MP/M-86?

In your Unix series, several authors
pointed to 8-bit CP/M's deficiencies when
compared to Unix. This is like accusing
the IBM PC of serious deficiencies in
numeric-processing ability when com-
pared to the Cray X-MP.

None of the articles mentioned
MP/M-86, Digital Research's 16-bit
multiuser/multitasking operating system.
Was MP/M-86 ignored because the
authors' livelihoods are somehow tied to
the success of Unix?

The switch to MP/M-86 is easy for the
millions of CP/M users. The commands,
with few exceptions or additions, are the
same. Increasing numbers of CP/M pack-
ages are available for CP/M-86; most of
these will run under MP/M-86 without
modification. The result is a greater vari-
ety of familiar software.

Digital Research's operating systems
would not win any prizes for user
friendliness. However, their prompts and
commands are generally more logical
than those of Unix.

Despite all the recent Unix hype, I am
nonplussed by the implied propensity for
disk contention and its belated support
of record locking.

BYTE should review MP/M-86.

Larry Koerv
Fortrex Corporation
POB 3610
Wichita, KS 67201

Speed Not the Issue

If Mr. Harp and Mr. Stone (Letters, Oc-
tober, page 20) of Oklahoma State Univer-
sity bought Radio Shack Model 16s to win
BASIC-language benchmark contests

$ 0

We Do Win
...And More!

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PERCOM DATA is now distributing uNETix®... a new
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uNETix DOES WINDOWS:
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uNETix offers true
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uNETix

does

windows

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environment. uNETix is
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and MS-DOS , and runs
MS-DOS as one of
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uNETix allows a user's
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IBM is a registered trademark of Internationai Business Machines. ■ uNETix is a registered trademark of Lantech Systems Incorporated.

PerComNet and PHD are trademarks of Percom Data Corporation. • UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories. • MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc.

Copyright Percom Data Corporation 1983.

The new 38/IK Quadboard
by Quadram is the most
comprehensive board you can
buy (or the IBM PC or XT. Now
with added hardware features
and advanced software. But
our same low price,

NEW EXPANDED QUADBOARD

Quadboard now delivers 9 of
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features. To let you get the
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Computer. And help -.
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MULTIFUNCTION ;»*™T

w*%s\ a r%r\ we* ■ irxw mf 9et a Parallel Port- Perfect
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modems, and other serial devices.
Chronograph: And Quadboard s

Chronograph (Heal time clock/
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• Qswap: Another feature of
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Now more than ever Quadboard
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Because Quadboard is designed
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I/O Bracket

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e Copyright 1983 Quadram Corporation
All rights reserved

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.

Letters *

then they indeed bought the wrong iron.
The TRS-80 Model 12 and Model 16 are
COBOL-oriented business data-process-
ing machines. For a single workstation,
the Model 12 is the more practical choice.
For multiple users, the Model 16 is the
only game in town. I agree that the two
operating systems offered are not speed
demons. But if the user sees apparently
instantaneous response when he calls up
a screen format or randomly updates a
record, then that is fast enough for the
purpose for which these machines were
designed. Their forte is the ability to han-
dle large files efficiently— commercial
data-processing.

This is not intended to let Radio Shack
off the hook for failure to provide a really
good operating system. TRSDOS is user-
friendly but slow. Xenix is the usual in-
comprehensible mess of gobbledygook
that we have come to expect from Unix
and its derivatives. We have the engineer-
ing profession to thank for designing it
and the academic community to thank for
praising it to the skies.

Despite these defects, if Mr. Harp and
Mr. Stone want to unload a Model 16 at
an attractive price, please ask them to get
in touch. I know how to use the machine

very effectively in a business-oriented en-
vironment, and my customers seldom do
trigonometry in the middle of payroll.

John R. Culleton Jr.
President, Culleton Group Inc.
2401 Haight Ave.
Sykesville, MD 21784

Change of Address

I wish to point out an incorrect company
address that ran in Dave Fiedler's "A Unix
Tutorial" (October, page 134). The correct
address for Unisoft Systems is 2405 Fourth
St., Berkeley, CA 94710. The company's
phone number is (415) 644-1230.

Trudi L. Jackson
Marketing Manager
Unisoft Systems
2405 Fourth St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Praise for the HP-75C

As a salesman contentedly using an
HP-75C for a year now, I read with in-

terest the September articles on the new
entries in the lap/portable computer mar-
ket. It seems to me logical but unfair to
give a computer only to an author for
testing: the HP machine (deemed a cal-
culator by Hewlett-Packard), with its
multiple internal-file structure, quick con-
version between text and BASIC, auto-
matic pausing during entry of BASIC
lines, convenient renumbering facility,
password-protection features, and built-
in mass storage (even if only in the form
of a card-reader) is a uniquely useful on-
the-go computational tool.

True, it hasn't a full-size typewriter
keyboard and its keys are not full-stroke.
But it is easy for anyone without an ar-
ticle deadline in mind to touch-type on
the unit. Corrections are easy with its In-
sert/Replace mode toggle. And 26 ounces
is certainly easier to carry than 4 pounds!

Visicalc on ROM is a marvel despite the
1-line display, and now there is an 80-
column monitor adapter available as well,
useful for viewing both spreadsheets and
text files to be formatted by the Text For-
matter ROM.

I think this machine has features to
cover just about all the niggling com-
plaints mentioned with the TRS-80

Shift into
Ultradrive
with Targa
by CMC

I Targa is your answer for a quality,
hassle-free hard disk subsystem.

_J Targa interfaces with most popular
microcomputers and carries the finest
limited warranty in the industry.

■ At under $2000 (sug. ret. for
5MB), Targa is an exceptional buy
in terms of price/performance.

Available in 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30
MB models.

_ Seriously interested? Call us toll-
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Washington dial 1-206-885-1600.

CMC International

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Circle 73 on inquiry card.

W ' y '

25 Mb the hard way.

25 Mb the Rana way.

Letters — — — — — —

Model 100 and other similar computers.
And with the recently introduced
RS-232C and IEEE-488 interfaces, the
HP-75C becomes compatible with just
about anything one may want to tie it to.
The unit is powerful beyond its specifica-
tion and deserves better press than it is
getting.

W. Howard Cornelsen Jr.
2100 Tanglewilde #227
Houston, TX 77063

The Carnegie Foundation
Report

The Carnegie Foundation for the Ad-
vancement of Teaching recently issued a
report on secondary education in
America. Its conclusions should deeply
trouble everyone who is working to
develop educational software and hard-
ware.

The report states that "Computer com-
panies are failing to prepare first-rate
material linked to school curricula or ob-
jectives." It refers to a "moral obligation"
and recommends that "every computer
firm selling hardware to the schools also

establish a special instructional materials
fund." The fund would be used to help
teachers develop curricula-related pro-
grams.

The report conveniently overlooks a
few things. Many computer manufac-
turers have been giving equipment to
schools. IBM has been doing this for over
30 years. Apple has given almost 10,000
systems to schools in California. Educa-
tional discounts have often approached
30 percent of the purchase price for
equipment. Possibly the Carnegie Foun-
dation feels this is not enough.

The foundation's report goes on to sug-
gest that a national commission be
named to review the quality of current
educational software. It also calls for the
creation of a number of university-based
centers which will be used to test and
demonstrate educational hardware and
software. These are the sort of sugges-
tions that give me the creeps. It doesn't
take much imagination to see an "ap-
proved list" coming out of a review com-
mittee. The "approved list" can then be
used to control purchases of software in
all cases where federal funds are in-
volved. The really fun projects in educa-

1

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tional hardware and software— the ones
based on the idea that there are in-
novative things that can be done with the
curriculum— will be stillborn. That should
worry us.

The author of the report, Ernest L.
Boyer, is a former U.S. commissioner of
education. The Carnegie Foundation's
opinions carry weight in educational and
public policy circles. It is tragic that the
foundation's report makes computer
manufacturers the whipping boys for
problems that occur in introducing com-
puters in a classroom setting. Manufac-
turers of hardware and software do not
develop educational products from com-
pletely altruistic motives. But their record
of providing goods and services to the
educational community deserve much
better than the kick in the teeth received
from the Carnegie Foundation.

John Boddie

Specialized Computer Software
213 Aronimink Dr.
Newark, DE 19711

Coping with Radiation

Having spent a number of years in
front of a CRT monitor, I thought that I
had experienced all of the evils that could
befall a computerist. I felt that I must
have a natural immunity to all of those
vagaries described by workstation oper-
ators and CRT watchers. I had con-
sidered that these persons might be suf-
fering from galloping hypochondria. It
also had crossed my mind that they were
trying to build a case for a massive class-
action lawsuit against the inventors of the
CRT (look out, heirs of J. J. Thomson,
Dumont, et al). Maybe they were look-
ing for lifelong employment-disability
benefits.

Last week, during a massive data-re-
search effort, I had occasion to spend two
days in front of a microfiche reader. The
results during the first day were interest-
ing and possibly worth consideration by
all who use CRT terminals or worksta-
tions:

After finishing seven hours, I had
burning eyes, a tenseness in the shoulder
muscles, a mild headache, an uneasiness
in the lumbar region of the back, a dry-
ness in the throat, a feeling of uneasiness
as I left the parking lot, severe stress,
fatigue, and irritability during the free-
way commute to home. After dinner at
home, I experienced definite eyestrain
while reading the evening paper, a dis-

26 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 56 on inquiry card.

Introducing the First 2.5 Mb
Minifloppy Drive.

Isn't it just like Rana Systems to introduce a
floppy disk drive for the IBM® with the mass
storage benefits of a hard disk, plus the
floppy's strength of removable media. The first
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bytes on a single diskette. Imagine, storing a
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and dictionary on one floppy. With megabytes
to spare.

Rana's new drive needs only 10 floppies to
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Always a step ahead.

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Hello, information,

Or, how the IBM Personal Computer can bring you the world.

Modem shown not supplied by IBM.

There's a world of information just phrase origins to plane geometry, ^tou can

waiting for you. But to use it, study it, enjoy also tap instructional courses and learn how
it and profit from it, you first have to get at it. to program the very IBM Personal

\et the facts can literally be right at
your fingertips — with your own telephone,
a modem and the IBM Personal Computer.

Plug into the network.

The modem that plugs into your
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On the other end of the phone lines
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Something for everyone.

At home, for example, you
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Computer you're using.

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In the office, you can plug into the
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Calling all computers.

And these outside data bases aren't
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With assigned passwords, you can
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\bu can even exchange a sales forecast

catalog. Access mortgage

amortization and tax depreciation with a manager two floors down or two

schedules. Study the wines of
France, the foods of Italy. Find
property to sell, rent, swap or share.
And play hundreds of games.

At school, you can bring
news into the classroom — as it

thousand miles away — one IBM Personal
Computer to another.

So the IBM Personal Computer really
can let you call the world. But there's one
call to make first. For more information on

where to buy the IBM Personal Computer,
happens. \bu can teach and learn call 800-447-4700. In Alaska or Hawaii,
with facts about everything from 800-447-0890. ^^^%E?*

The IBM Personal Computer
A tool for modern times

* Information services are available by subscription ;it additional cost, and are not supplied by IBM.

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Letters .

tinct backache, indigestion, and a head-
ache which got worse when I went to bed.

The next day I took a pitcher of water,
drinking glass, and pocket calculator with
timer-alarm into the microfilm and fiche
room and took a break every 15 minutes
for a swallow of water. I made a point of
correcting my posture and taking several
deep breaths every time I changed a fiche.
A little isometric game also helped to
reposition the muscles on my frame. I
used a pair of dime-store reading glasses
which moved my point of focus out to 24
inches instead of the 16 inches I use for
reading and desk work. These placed me
at a better position in relation to the
screen. Using these tricks, I was free of
the symptoms of the previous day.

Is there anyone who knows how much
low-level radiation is emitted by a 150-
watt, incandescent projection lamp?
Paul M. Hine

Engineer, Q.E.D. Systems Inc.
1525 Standlake St.
San Diego, CA 92154

Formatting Rainbow 100
Disks

I recently bought a DEC Rainbow 100
Personal Computer, but I was disap-
pointed by the lack of a program to for-
mat disks. After a little search, I suc-
ceeded in writing one myself.

Last month I read some complaints
about this problem, so I am offering my
Format program to other Rainbow 100
users for the nominal charge of $50
(media, copying, and postage included).

Paolo Prandini
Viale Europa, 72/G
25100 Brescia
Italy

In Praise of the TRS-80
Model 100

I enjoyed "The Radio Shack TRS-80
Model 100" by Mahlon Kelly (September,
page 139). I have traveled with the Model
100 for the last six months, through seven
countries. It is all that it is reputed to be.
I have hooked this box to just about
everything available; it has yet to let me
down. I have even used it as a limited
datascope. With a few more pins on the
RS-232C bus connected, we could have
the first truly portable model.

William N. Carter

514 48th Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94121

Circle 169 on inquiry card.

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Letters .

Letter Shows Mathematical
Naivete'

G. M. Harding's letter (September,
page 10) labeled "Bug-Free But Meaning-
less" is itself meaningless. Harding at-
tacks the notion of the utility of the
methods of calculus to analyze economic
data "in the same way as a continuous
function in mathematics." Harding
seems to believe that because, on a very
small scale, the events from which
economic indices are derived are not dis-
crete, the methods of differential and in-
tegral calculus are therefore invalid and
cannot be applied.

This is mathematically naive, as anyone
who has studied the science of statistics
will be aware. To give a simple example,
suppose one takes a coin and tosses it a
given number of times. The probability
that the coin will come up heads can be
exactly determined by calculating the co-
efficients of the binomial expansion of the
same order as the number of tosses.
When the number of tosses in a run be-
comes large, however, this calculation
can become tedious, and in this case the

Gaussian approximation (the familiar
bell-shaped curve) is generally used. It is
easily shown that the larger the number
of tosses in a run, the more closely the
probability distribution is modeled by the
continuous Gaussian function.

On a more complex level, there is the
treatment of the problem of a quantum-
mechanical gas in a periodic lattice (a
problem of some interest to computer
science, for it is the understanding of this
that led to the development of semicon-
ductor electronics). The physical system
is constrained to have discrete energies
and momenta, which are thought of as
points in a multiple-dimensioned "phase
space." The calculation of certain impor-
tant quantities, such as the number of
available states the system may occupy,
is simplified by assuming for purposes of
calculation that the available states form
a continuum whose volume can be cal-
culated geometrically. Again, a large
number of available states will entail that
the difference between the true number
and the number calculated by this means
is insignificantly small.

Statistical mechanics may seem a far

cry from econometrics, but the math-
ematics that goes into them both is the
same mathematics. Harding may choose
to believe that the math is invalid, but the
silicon chips in computers will continue
to function as predicted by quantum
statistics, and this is not a reasonable criti-
que of modern economics.

Another remark Harding makes is that
"even if" this sort of reasoning is accept-
able, identifying the effects of certain
events in time series of economic data is
not reasonable. Although not entirely
wrong, Harding is far from correct. It is
possible to see structures not inherent in
the data, structures that appear, perhaps,
as an artifact of the analysis technique ap-
plied. However, there are methods of in-
ferring the significance of statistical
results. A savvy user of these methods is
capable of discerning whether the results
of a study are meaningful or not. Judg-
ing from the level of statistical literacy in
the letter, Harding is not capable of mak-
ing such discernments.
Alan L. Bostick
6400 Latona Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98115 ■

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32 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 319 on inquiry card.

IT IS BETTER TO

OWN A GRIZZLY ™

THAN TO CURSE THE

DARKNESS.

BH.

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To back up your back-up, anything you plug into The Grizzly is
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Since its recent introduction, our new ultra-
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Features like our 'drop on demand" jet
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Because it operates at
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It doesn't shriek. It doesn't screech. That's good
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Before you make a final decision on a printer
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Circle 366 on inquiry card.

CC/302O-O21 SIQ830

Photo 1: Your computers and other electronic equipment are vulnerable to disturbances transmitted through the power line. Most of the
components necessary for transient and noise suppression can be purchased from Radio Shack. Shoivn here are a commercial EMI/RFI line
filter made by Corcom and two General Electric metal-oxide varistors.

Keep Power-Line Pollution
Out of Your Computer

A visitor once called the Circuit
Cellar my mountaintop wilderness
retreat. Since he lived in the center
of Manhattan, the few oak and birch
trees around my house seemed to
him like a forest, and because he
could view scenery further away than
a block or two he must have felt like
he was on Mount Whitney. Well, my
area is one of the higher points in
Connecticut, but that isn't very high.
It's barely a prairie-dog mound to
someone from Montana.

Life in a rural location has its
special pleasures. I get to plow the

by Steve Ciarcia

snow from my own driveway, trim
back the ever-encroaching foliage and
rake the leaves, pile four cords of
wood for the stove each winter (see
reference 1), fight off the local animal
population, and spend large sums of
money repairing damage done to my
electronic equipment by electrical dis-
turbances.

This last item is the only one that
really annoys me. Every year I can
count on experiencing some equip-
ment failure attributable to an exter-
nal electrical impulse, usually com-
ing in through the power line. For

three years, just like clockwork, the
first thunderstorm in June wiped out
a DECwriter II terminal connected to
one of my computers. After the first
two times of spending a few hours re-
placing blown chips, I got smart and
installed sockets. (Now I even know
in advance which chips will be
blown.) Last summer I kept the
printer unconnected when I wasn't
using it.

But the elements were not to be
denied. During an August thunder-
storm, lightning struck my house. I
can't say for sure where the bolt ac-

36 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

An expensive lesson produces the cheapest Circuit Cellar project yet

tually hit (there were no burn marks
or other visible clues), but I suspect
the point of entry was the power line.
I remember seeing an indistinct flash
of light, hearing a tremendous crash,
and then standing in darkness. My
assistant Jeanette saw a bright blue
glow behind one of the computers.

Such a tremendous power surge is
not kind to semiconductor-based
equipment. The casualties included
one computer, one video camera,
two video monitors, a microwave
receiver, and probably several other
assorted items I haven't found yet.
The damage did not include the
DECwriter (safely unplugged since
May), but it was over $3000.

In December, thunderstorms are
not an immediate threat, but as I
write this in early September the
memory is still fresh and I still have
a month of potentially violent
weather to contend with. I am forced
to consider some defensive mea-
sures. Perhaps by relating my ex-
periences I can save you from a
similar fate.

Of course, lightning isn't the sole
cause of electrical disturbances; you
don't have to wait for a thunderstorm
to be a victim. Many kinds of trouble
can be ducted into your computer
through the power line.

In the January 1981 Circuit Cellar
article (reference 2), I wrote about
electromagnetic interference (EMI)
and radio-frequency interference
(RFI). This month I'd like to pick up
the saga by describing other forms of
electrical pollution that occur on
power lines. Afterward, I'll describe
a few simple, inexpensive means of
dealing with them.

The Power Line:

A Hostile Environment

The lines leaving your local utility
company's generating plant carry
electrical power that in most respects
is pure, smooth, and constant. How-
ever, as the power is routed through
the distribution network, it comes

Copyright © 1983 Steven A. Garcia.
All rights reserved.

under the increasing aberrant in-
fluence of external forces and the
connection or shedding of electrical
loads.

Your susceptibility to these aberra-
tions depends on your location in the
distribution system. If you are close
to the power plant, you should have
relatively few, with the low source-
impedance of the generator and short
distance of the transmission line
limiting the influence of external
forces. But rural customers at the end
of the line usually experience the full
effect. While the utilities try to
distribute power evenly, the presence
of a large-scale user of electrical
power along the line between the
generator and you can greatly affect
the quality and quantity of the power
you get.

If you own a personal computer,
you should be concerned about the
quality of the power you feed it.
Power-line irregularities cause prob-
lems for computers and other digital
equipment because certain kinds of
extraneous electrical pulses can be in-
terpreted as data or instructions,
causing errors in operation. You face
hazards every time you plug in a
piece of electronic equipment, but
there are certain precautionary
measures that can protect your
computer.

The degree of sensitivity depends
somewhat on the type of equipment
and the type of disturbances. As the
operating speed of digital equipment
increases, its tolerance to power-line
pollution lessens. High-speed pro-
cessors and memory components are
susceptible to fast transients.
(Dynamic memories, which must be
periodically refreshed, are particular-
ly susceptible.) Disk drives and dis-
plays, on the other hand, are more af-
fected by lasting surges and sags in
operating voltage.

Common Sources of Woe

Electrical power-line disturbances
can come from either natural or man-
made sources. Of the many ways the
power line can be disturbed, the
several varieties of voltage fluctuation

most often cause problems with com-
puter equipment. These fluctuations
can be categorized by source and
severity, as follows:

Blackouts. A blackout is a total
power outage— the voltage goes to
zero. Obviously if no alternate source
of power is available as a backup,
computer equipment will be severe-
ly affected, and data will be lost.
Blackouts generally affect only a
small number of utility customers
(fewer than 5 percent) during a year
and generally last less than 10
seconds.

Brownouts. A brownout is typical-
ly a corrective action taken by the
utility when power demand exceeds
generating capacity. The utility
reduces the output voltage from a
nominal 120 V (volts) by 5 to 15 per-
cent. When the voltage is thus re-
duced, the resistive load presented to
the generators by the distribution
network consumes less power.

Generally speaking, most con-
sumer and industrial equipment
designed for use in North America
functions properly when supplied
with current within the range from
105 to 130 V. But when operating at
either extreme, the equipment is
more vulnerable to disruption from
some other power-line anomaly. For-
tunately, power companies rarely
reduce the voltage by more than 7
percent.

Voltage transients. The phenom-
ena of voltage transients include
surges of voltage above the specified
normal, voltage sags below, and in-
stantaneous voltage spikes that leap
far above the nominal levels.

Surges and sags are long-duration
events occurring at some point in the
distribution network when electrical
equipment is routinely turned on or
off nearby. The magnitude of the
surge or sag depends upon the size
of the load being removed from or
placed on the network.

Sags are often produced by the
turning on of electric motors, which
have high starting currents. (You've
probably noticed lights dimming

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

37

The important element in lightning protection is the lightning rod, a pointed shaft of cop-
per to which a half-inch copper cable is fastened. The cable in run down the side of the
building, where it is clamped to an SVi-foot copper-plated steel rod driven into the earth.
The rod system pictured here costs $150.

How Lightning
Strikes

A lightning flash is characterized by one
or more strokes with typical peak currents
of 20 kA (kiloamperes) or higher. In the
immediate vicinity of the stroke's impact
on the earth, hazardous voltage gradients
exist. It is difficult to establish a definite

grounding-conductance value necessary to
protect equipment and personnel. The cur-
rent in a lightning strike is so high that
even 1 ohm of resistance can theoretically
produce hazardous potentials.

When lightning strikes a building un-
protected by a lightning rod, the stroke
seeks out the lowest-impedance path to
earth (most likely through the electric wir-
ing or water pipes).

How It Starts

As the electric charge builds up in a
cloud, the electric field in the vicinity of
the charge center increases to the point
where the air starts to ionize. A column
of ionized air, called a pilot streamer,
begins to extend toward the earth at a
velocity of about 100 miles per hour. After
the pilot streamer has moved perhaps 100
feet to 150 feet, a more intense discharge
called the stepped leader occurs. This
discharge inserts additional negative charge
into the region around the pilot streamer
and allows the pilot streamer to advance
for another 100 to 150 feet, after which the
cycle repeats. As its name indicates, the
stepped leader progresses toward the earth
in a series of steps, with a time interval
between steps on the order of 50 microsec-
onds.

In a cloud-to-ground flash, the pilot
steamer does not move in a direct line
toward the earth but instead follows the
path through the atmosphere where the air
ionizes most readily. Although the general
direction is toward the earth, the specific
angle of departure taken by each succeeding
pilot streamer from the tip of the previous
streamer is unpredictable. Therefore, each
100- to 150-foot segment of the stroke will
likely approach the earth at a different
angle. This changing angle of approach
gives the overall flash its characteristic zig-
zag appearance.

As a highly ionized column, the stepped
leader is at essentially the same potential
as the charged area from which it origi-
nates. Thus, as the stepped leader ap-
proaches the earth, the voltage gradient
between the earth and the tip of the leader
increases. The increasing voltage further
encourages the air dielectric between the
two regions to break down.

Attracting Lightning

Objects extending above their surround-
ings are likely to be struck by lightning.
Thin metallic structures, such as flag poles,
lighting towers, antennas, and overhead
wires, offer a very small cross-sectional area
relative to the surrounding terrain, but
ample evidence exists to show that such ob-
jects apparently attract lightning.

The ability of tall structures or objects
to attract lightning serves to protect shorter
objects and structures nearby. In effect, a
tall object establishes a protected zone
around it; within this zone, other struc-
tures and objects are protected against direct
lightning strikes. As the height differen-

38 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Hal between the shorter surrounding ob-
jects and the tall one decreases, the pro-
tection provided to the shorter objects
decreases. Likewise, as the horizontal
distance between the tall and short struc-
tures increases, the protection afforded by
the tall structure decreases.

Lightning Rods

A protective device that makes use of this
phenomenon is the lightning rod, shown
in photo. Generally just a sharp copper
spike, the lightning rod is attached to the
highest point on the structure to be pro-
tected. When lightning strikes, the current
is shunted directly through a heavy cop-
per wire from the rod to a grounding elec-
trode buried in the earth.

Although the duration of a strike is
typically less than 2 microseconds, the
voltage generated is high enough to cause
flashover strikes to conducting objects
located as much as 14 inches away from
the conducting path. For this reason,
metallic objects in close proximity to down
conductors should be electrically bonded to
the conductors.

But circuits not in direct contact with
the lightning discharge path can experience
damage, even in the absence of overt cou-
pling by flashover. Because the high cur-
rent associated with a discharge builds up
so fast, large inductively produced voltages
are formed on nearby conductors. Experi-
mental and analytical evidence shows that
the surges thus induced can easily exceed
the tolerance level of many components,
particularly solid-state devices. Inductive
surges can be induced by lightning current
flowing in a down conductor or structural
member, by a stroke to earth in the vicini-
ty of buried cables, or by cloud-to-cloud
discharges occurring parallel to long cable
runs, either above ground or buried.

The Moral

The objective of all lightning-protection
systems is to direct the high currents away
from susceptible elements or limit the
voltage gradients developed by the high
current to safe levels. In a given area, cer-
tain structures or objects are more likely
to be struck by lightning than others;
however, no object, whether man-made or
natural, should be assumed to be immune
from lightning. The voltages that could be
induced by such discharges present a
definite threat to signal and control equip-
ment, particularly equipment employing
semiconductor components.

Power-Line Conditioner Sources

Cuesta Systems Inc.
3440 Roberto Court
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 541-4160

Dymarc Industries Inc.
21 Governor's Court
Baltimore, MD 21207
(800) 638-9098
(301) 298-2629

Electronic Protection Devices
Division CNS Electronics Corp.
5-9 Central Ave.
Waltham, MA 02154
(800) 343-1813

Electronic Specialists Inc.
171 South Main St.
Natick, MA 07160
(800) 225-4876 (orders)
(617) 655-1532

Isoreg Corporation
410 Great Rd.
Littleton, MA 01460
(617) 486-9483

RKS Industries
4865 Scotts Valley Dr.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(800) 892-1342
(408) 438-5760

Sun Research Inc.

POB 210

Old Bay Rd.

New Durham, NH 03855

(603) 859-7110

Power-Line Filter Sources

Comell-Dubilier Electronics
Box B-967

New Bedford, MA 02741
(617) 996-8561

Corcom Inc.
1600 Winchester Rd.
Libertyville, IL 60048
(312) 680J400

Curtis Industries Inc.
8300 North Tower Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53223
(414) 354-1500

Genisco Technology Corporation
18435 Susana Rd.
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221
(213) 537-4750

Hopkins Engineering Company
12900 Foothill Blvd.
San Fernando, CA 91342
(213) 361-8691

The Potter Company
Division of Varian
POB 337
Wesson, MI 39191

(601) 643-2215

Siemens Corporation
8700 East Thomas Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85252

(602) 941-6366

Sprague Electric Company
87 Marshall St.
North Adams, MA 01247
(413) 664-4411

Stanford Applied Engineering
3520 De La Cruz Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050-1997
(408) 988-0700

when an air conditioner comes on.)
Surges are generally the result of net-
work switching by the utility or of a
sudden reduction in demand for
power in the network; during the
period necessary for the utility's elec-
tromechanical compensation system
to function, an overvoltage transient
condition can exist.

The most damaging power-line dis-
turbance is the high-speed, high-
energy voltage spike. People speaking

loosely about "power-line transients"
are probably talking about this type
of event. Lasting usually less than 100
microseconds, spikes can be up to
6000 volts. Such high-energy tran-
sients are produced by the switching
off of inductive loads by the opening
of switch contacts, short circuits, or
blown fuses; severe network load
changes; or lightning. Inductive-load
switching accounts for the majority
of spikes.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

39

Photo 2: You can save approximately $40 on the price of a transient-protected power strip
by adding the protection yourself, as demonstrated on the Radio Shack Archer 61-2620 unit.
First, unscrew the end plates.

Photo 3: Open the strip case, exposing the four receptacles and the white circuit-breaker block.
The three wires conducting power run the length of the strip: black is the hot side, white
is the neutral return, and the green wire is earth ground.

Photo 4: Using an X-acto knife or similar tool, strip insulation from the wires between the
receptacles (which I number 1 through 4, from left to right) according to the following system:
between 1 and 2, strip the green and black; between 2 and 3, strip the green and white; be-
tween 3 and 4, strip the black and white.

When the coil of an inductive load
such as a transformer or motor is
suddenly deenergized, the collapsing
magnetic field must dissipate its
energy, and it does this by placing a
large voltage back into the circuit that
energized it. Let's examine the pro-
cess in detail.

As the circuit through the inductor
is broken, current in the inductor
continues to flow, charging the
distributed capacitance in the wind-
ings. At some point, the charge
voltage becomes sufficient to leap
across the switch gap as a spark. This
sudden shorting action discharges
the winding's capacitive charge back
into the circuit until the spark ceases.
This process repeats in a cycle until
there is too little energy left in the coil
to create an arc across the contacts.
The waveform of inductance-gener-
ated transients is oscillatory. For ex-
ample, a contact opening while con-
ducting 100 mA (milliamperes) in a
1-H (henry) inductance will produce
a 3000-V spike, assuming about a
O.OOT/iF (microfarad) stray winding
capacitance.

Whenever you plug in a vacuum
cleaner, hair drier, or other appliance
(even your computer), you could be
creating some potentially serious
transient disruptions for other equip-
ment on the same power line. The
equipment need not even be on the
same wiring circuit. The capacitance
of household wiring is often suffi-
cient to couple a transient from one
wire to another (differential mode) or
from the wire to the ground (com-
mon mode).

Lightning is the most violent and
most destructive source of transient
energy. A direct lightning hit is
catastrophic, but direct hits seldom
occur. A more frequent danger is that
a lightning strike on a power line
miles away may result in a thousand-
volt spike rushing throughout your
home. Such hits happen frequently
enough to cause much grief.
(Because lightning is such a signifi-
cant source of transients, I've ex-
plained it in detail in the text box
"How Lightning Strikes." A secon-
dary, and more widespread, effect of
a lightning hit on a power line is a
voltage sag over a large part of the

40 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

network as the power company's
safety circuits compensate for the
spike.)

Electrical noise. Miscellaneous
electrical noise is the final source of
power-line disturbances. It is best
understood as high-voltage high-
frequency interference. Noise in the
range from 10 kHz (kilohertz) to 50
MHz (megahertz) is the most com-
mon cause of computer failures.
Because of its frequency, noise can be
either broadcast through free space
from its source or conducted direct-
ly through the power lines. Digital
electronic equipment is a prime
source of high-frequency noise.

Power-Line Protection

I'm not trying to make you afraid
to plug your computer into the wall
outlet. There are remedies for virtual-
ly all the problems I've mentioned,
although some are more practical for
some computer users than others.

If surges or sags are a constant
problem for you, you can try having
the power company change the tap
on your local step-down transformer
or installing a constant-voltage trans-
former on your premises. These mea-
sures, although expensive, are effec-
tive. If you are plagued by blackouts
or have equipment that should never
be shut down, I suggest that you con-
sider obtaining an uninterruptible
power supply, abbreviated UPS. Using
a UPS gives you confidence in the
quality of your power and effective-
ly isolates your computer from
damaging perturbations. However, a
UPS is also quite costly.

In the case of electrical noise and
EMI, there are filters and construc-
tion techniques that can be employed
to reduce interference, but a better
answer is to find the pollution at the
source and eliminate it. My article in
the January 1981 BYTE outlined most
methods of filtration and preventive
design. While I'll try not to belabor
the point, a power-line filter is an im-
portant noise- and transient-suppres-
sion device.

The best answer to transients is to
suppress their voltages to a harmless
level, either with filters or a special
category of components called tran-
sient suppressors.

Photo 5: You can now solder a varistor between each of the stripped wire pairs, mounting
it flat against the back face of the receptacle so that the case will fit together again.

Photo 6: The outlet strip with three MOVs installed provides both common-mode and
differential-mode transient suppression. After you have finished soldering, carefully reassem-
ble the power strip's enclosure and screiv it back together.

Power-Line Filters

A power-line interference filter is
an electronic circuit used to control
RFI and EMI conducted into and out
of equipment. The filter is intended
to provide unwanted interference
signals with a high series impedance
(into the vulnerable equipment) and
low shunt impedance (to ground). It
generally consists of a set of passive
components that act as a mismatch-
ing network for high-frequency
signals— a low-pass filter. The net-
work attenuates RF energy above 10
kHz, while passing the 60-Hz power.

The simplest possible filter is a
single capacitor wired in parallel or

a single coil wired in series with the
power line. More typically, several
capacitors and/or coils are used
together, connected into different
configurations variously called L, -k,
and T filters.

Though containing only a few com-
ponents, such passive bilateral net-
works have complex transfer charac-
teristics that are extremely dependent
upon the impedances of the source
and load. Because you can't predict
these impedances for all applications,
it is not possible to unequivocally
state that a specific filter configura-
tion will work the same way in two
different environments. But to allow

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

41

Photo 7: For quicker and easier, though incomplete, protection, you can plug your computer
into a simple voltage-spike protector such as the Radio Shack 61-2790. As you can see from
the disassembled unit, the metal-oxide varistor (wrapped in fiberglass tape) is connected be-
tween only the hot and neutral lines (black and white). It has no varistor connection to the
ground lead and therefore does not protect against common-mode transients.

electrical specifications to be mini-
mally compared, however, resistive
source and load impedances of 50
ohms each are generally used.

Two similar power-line filters, even
built with the same circuit topology
and component values, may not per-
form identically; the mounting and
wiring of the filter can be critical in-
fluences on its performance. A
power-line filter is best installed at
the point in your equipment where
the power line comes inside the case
rather than at the far end of a long
cord. The filter's purpose is to at-
tenuate high-frequency signals: this
purpose is defeated if these parasitic
signals can gain access to the equip-
ment by capacitively coupling to the
power cord at a point behind the
filter.

It's not always possible to disas-
semble your computer to add a line
filter, but the best location for a
power-line filter is bolted to the
chassis of the electronic equipment it
protects, or at least in the immediate
vicinity, such as at the power re-
ceptacle.

While you could construct a line
filter using the formulas and designs
from a magazine article, I heartily
recommend that you buy a packaged

unit instead. The selection is easier
and much more controlled using
commercial line filters (see the text
box on page 39). So much depends
upon component selection and lay-
out that the only way to make sure
power-line interference has been
eliminated is to actually test the filter
in your equipment. A circuit de-

signed according to theory using a
50-ohm assumed impedance prob-
ably won't work as well as one em-
pirically derived using the actual
equipment and power line.

Transient Suppressors

Protection from the various kinds
of line transients is obtained by sup-
pressing or diverting them. The three
types of circuits most often used for
this are filters, crowbars, and voltage-
clampers.

As I previously alluded, filters com-
prising inductances and capacitances
are widely used for interference pro-
tection, including transients. Since
most transient signals are high fre-
quency, the suppression by a filter is
often effective, provided it can with-
stand the associated high voltages.

Crowbar circuits use a switching ac-
tion, such as turning on a thyristor
or arcing across a spark gap, to divert
transients. But crowbars that incor-
porate SCRs (silicon-controlled rec-
tifiers) and triacs are much too slow
to effectively suppress 100-/is (micro-
second) transients. Most often they
are incorporated in low-voltage DC
power-supply output circuits where
overvoltage conditions occur at more
manageable speeds (milliseconds).
Spark-gap devices, which include
carbon blocks and gas tubes, are fast

Photo 8: Some line filters are made to work in specific circumstances. This Radio Shack power-
line-filter strip (stock number 26-1451) was devised to cure interference problems with the TRS-80
Model I computer; it contains two separate LC (inductance/capacitance) interference filters
but no varistors. If you have this strip, I suggest you install some MOVs.

42 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

and effective, but they trigger at re-
latively high voltages, making them
unsuitable as the sole protection for
semiconductor circuitry.

Voltage-clamping devices, on the
other hand, have impedances that
vary as a function of either the
voltage across or the current through
them. The circuit being protected is
unaffected by the presence of the
clamping device unless the incoming
supply voltage exceeds the clamping
level, as would be the case when a
transient hits. The various kinds of
high-speed voltage-clamping devices
include selenium cells, zener diodes,
silicon-carbide varistors, and metal-
oxide varistors. Of these, the metal-
oxide varistors, or MOVs, hold a
significant price/performance advan-
tage and are highly applicable in per-
sonal computing applications.

MOVs to the Rescue

Metal-oxide varistors are voltage-
dependent nonlinear devices that
behave somewhat like a back-biased
zener diode. When a voltage lower
than its conduction threshold is ap-
plied across it, the MOV appears as
a nonconducting open circuit. But if
the applied voltage becomes greater
than this set point (when a transient
hits), the MOV begins to conduct,
clamping the input voltage to a safe
level. In effect, the MOV absorbs the
transient and dissipates the energy as
heat.

An MOV is made of zinc oxide
combined with small amounts of
bismuth, cobalt, and manganese.
The individual zinc-oxide grains form
many pin (positive-doped/negative-
doped) junctions that combine in a
multitude of series and parallel ar-
rangements. This diversity of micro-
structure causes its nonlinear semi-
conducting characteristics. An MOV
is inherently more rugged than a
single-junction semiconductor device
(a zener diode, for example) because
energy is uniformly absorbed
throughout the bulk of the
component.

The physical dimensions of the
MOV determine its characteristics, its
conduction-threshold voltage varying
as a function of thickness, and its
energy-dissipating capacity varying

(la)

TRANSIENT SUPPRESSOR

LINE IN

\Z> o^\^

RECEPTACLES

Figure la: The Radio Shack four-outlet power strip can be easily modified to protect equip-
ment from high-energy power-line transients. Three General Electric V130LA10A metal-oxide
varistors (MOVs— Radio Shack number 276-570) are connected between the hot, neutral, and
ground wires of the power line.

(lb)

EMI/RFI AND TRANSIENT SUPPRESSOR
LINE FILTER

CORCOM 5VK1

RADIO SHACK 273-100

ALL MOVs ARE GE V130LA10A VARISTORS
RADIO SHACK 276-570

Figure lb: For added protection against low-energy electromagnetic and radio-frequency in-
terference, the Corcom 5VK1 line filter (Radio Shack 273-100) can be installed in the circuit.

according to volume. MOVs are avail-
able in operating voltages from 6 to
2800 V, with peak current capacities
of up to 50,000 A (amperes). MOVs
respond to transients in only a few
nanoseconds and are relatively inex-
pensive. The chief producer of MOVs
is the General Electric Company.

Protect Your Computer

Large companies sometimes solve
power-line problems by producing
their own power. In the home or
small office, it's more practical to pro-
tect your computer and peripherals
through comprehensive application
of filtering and transient suppres-
sion.

Most of the commercially available
filtered power strips contain MOVs as
their primary suppression device.
Even those costing $50 or $75 rarely
contain more than $5 worth of tran-
sient protection. By purchasing the
suppression components separately
and installing them yourself, you can
save a lot of money.

The majority of the projects I've
presented in Circuit Cellar articles
can be built for $50 to $2000, but the
project this month wins hands down
for economy. For the most part, line
filters and MOVs are available off the
shelf, and adequate transient sup-
pression for your computer might
cost as little as $1.59!

You can take two approaches in in-
stalling suppression. If you are in-
terested in protecting only a few
items of equipment, MOVs can be
wired across the AC line where it
enters the enclosures. You can find
the General Electric VB0LA10A MOV
component at Radio Shack for $1.59
(stock number 276-570). This device
is ideally suited to 120-VAC applica-
tions. It has an energy rating of 38
joules (watt-seconds) and will clamp
to 340 V at 50 A within 35 ns (nano-
seconds). Its peak-current rating is
4500 A. (For heavier duties, you'll
need to use V130LA20A or
V130PA20A MOVs.)

(As a rule, if you are going to be

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

43

Circle 239 on inquiry card.

COMPUTERS

PACKAGES: CREATE YOUR OWN
CONFIGURATION. CALL

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& Controller with printer port, C. Itoh F10-40ps letter quality printer.
Diagnostic & Basic manuals $4999

COLUMBIA MPC 1600-1: 128k. (2) 320k disk drives. Amber or
Green video display and controller. (2) serial & (1) parallel port. C.
lloh F10-40cps letter qual. prntr.. and $3000 of free software$3999

COLUMBIA HARD DISK MPC 1600-4; XT Compatible 128k,
(1) 320k disk drive. 10meg Hard disk drive, Amber or Green video
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COLUMBIA PORTABLE COMPUTER VP: 128k, (2) 320k
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additional disk drives . . - .$450

DOS 1.1 $40

DOS 2.0 $60

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PFS filer $110

TK! Solver $250

WordStar $327

MailMerge $165

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JAGUAR hall height

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80 column cards $275

80 column with 64k cards $375

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TTX-1014 $499

SMITH CORONA IP I ...$499

ZENITH

121

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working inside the equipment you
should also install line filters. You can
buy Corcom type-5VKl 5-A RFI
power-line filters at Radio Shack for
$11.95 (stock number 273-100). These
units, like the one shown in photo 1,
are adequate for most consumer ap-
plications and fit in very nicely with
existing equipment.)

The easier alternative is to modify
a regular power strip to include tran-
sient suppression. Radio Shack's 4-
outlet strip (number 61-2620, costing
$15.95) is perfect for this application.
Merely open it up and install three
MOVs, as demonstrated in the series
of photos 2 through 6, connected as
shown in figure 1. One MOV is in-
stalled directly between the black
(hot) and white (neutral) leads, the
second MOV is connected from the
black lead to the green (ground) wire,
and the third from the white to the
green. While you might squeak
through by installing one MOV
across the line, complete common-
mode and differential-mode suppres-
sion requires three MOVs. (Photo 7
shows a commercial adaptation of the
simplified scheme.) The price for all
the parts of the protected power strip
is $20.72. If you were to buy a larger
power strip or build your own distri-
bution box, you could also add a
power-line filter. And if you have a
filter strip already on your computer,
you might want to check its degree
of transient protection (see photo 8).

An Ounce of Prevention . . .

This project may not seem very
exciting. I didn't find the idea very
exciting, either, until the flash and
subsequent smoke coming out of my
favorite article-writing computer pro-
vided all the excitement I'll need for
months. Most of the $3000 worth of
damage I had was for equipment
plugged into a single circuit, some of
it on the same power strip. I had
always known the protective value of
MOVs, but I thought it wouldn't hap-
pen to me. A few dollars' worth of
parts could have saved a lot of ag-
gravation.

Voltage spikes and power-line dis-
turbances aren't always the result of
storm activity. Transient-caused
equipment failures can happen any-

time. The events I've described just
served as a catalyst for presenting the
subject. And even if lightning never
hits you, you should know that many
of the new computers I have been
evaluating this year have shown an
increased sensitivity to external in-
terference, including power-line
glitches. You wouldn't want to find
your new computer rebooting sud-
denly at a critical point or discover
the memory to be scrambled after
you plug in a printer on the same
outlet. Transient suppression con-
stitutes an ounce of prevention. You
can spend thousands for the cure.

Next Month:

A new integrated circuit from National
Semiconductor permits an intelligent
video-display terminal to be built from
only 22 chips.m

To receive a complete list or Ciarcia's
Circuit Cellar project kits available rrom
the Micromint, circle 100 on the reader
service inquiry card at the back or the
magazine.

Steve Garcia (pronounced "see-ARE-see-
ah") is an electronics engineer and computer
consultant with experience in process control,
digital design, nuclear instrumentation, prod-
uct development, and marketing. In addition
to writing for BYTE, he has published several
books. He can be contacted at POB 582,
Glastonbury, CT 06033.

References

1. Ciarcia, Steve. "A Computer-Controlled
Wood Stove." February 1980 BYTE,
page 32.

2. Ciarcia, Steve. "Electromagnetic Inter-
ference." January 1981 BYTE, page 48.

3. Roberts, Steven K. Industrial Design with
Microcomputers. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall, 1982.

Editor's Note: Steve often refers to previous Cir-
cuit Cellar articles as reference material for each
month's current article. Most of these past articles
are available in reprint books from BYTE Books,
McGraw-Hill Book Company, POB 400, Hights-
toum, N] 08250.

Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar, Volume I covers articles
tliat appeared in BYTE from September 1977 through
'November 1978. Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar, Volume
II contains articles from December 1978 through
fune 1980. Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar, Volume III
contains articles from July 1980 through December
1981. Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar, Volume IV, soon
to appear, will contain articles from January 1982
through June 1983.

44 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Three ways to
Speed up your Apple II

& Apple IL for $295

The SpeeDemon from McT.

SpeeDemon • Makes any Apple II, II+, or He run

3!4 times faster.
SpeeDemon • Makes your Applesoft, Apple Fortran,

Word Processing, D.B. Master, Pascal,

or Visicalc programs run up to 3 54 times

faster.

TM

SpeeDemon • Costs less than any other speed up card.
SpeeDemon • Available immediately by mail. (We guarantee

shipment within 7 days from receipt

of order.)
SpeeDemon • Costs only $295.

Circle 278 on inquiry card.

Please send me SpeeDemon's" by return mail at $295 each. I have enclosed $

I have an: D Apple 11 CD Apple II plus □ Apple He This is for: Q Business Use

Or charge my: □ Visa □ Mastercard □ American Express □ Personal Use

MyAcct.ttis : Expires

Name

Address

City

.State.

Zip.

Calif. Res. Add 6>/2% Sales Tax. Mail to: McT- 1745 21st Street • Santa Monica, CA 90404

#McT

Dealer Inquiries Invited

Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computers, Inc. VisiCalc is a registered trademark of VisiCorp, Inc. DB Master is a registered trademark of Stoneware, Inc.

Out of the West con

Just in the nick of time!
A six-pen graphics plotter
that's more compatible . . .
uses more software . . .
and costs only $1095.
The Sweet-P Six-Shooter.

YahHOOO!

Picture it: six-color presentation-
quality graphics taken right off
your spread sheets or D.I.F. files,
and perfectly reproduced on
paper or overhead transparency
film.

STUDY

Graphs of all kinds— bar, pie,
line, scatter or surface. Quick-
read graphs that make their
point a lot faster than columns
of numbers.

Graphs prepared in minutes.
For pennies.

Fine, you say. Any quality plot-
ter can do that, right?

Right.

The big difference is, this qual-
ity plotter costs only $1095.

Another big difference is the
people who make the Six-Shooter.
Enter Computer, Inc. The Good
Guys from out of the West who
brought you Sweet-P The
Personal
Plotter

^bt&rfp

The Sweet-P was a real trail-
blazer. In fact, the competition is
still trying to catch up to it.

Now the Good Guys have got
'em on the run again with the
Six-Shooter. It's really loaded.

You'll save a bundle!

For $1095, you get a plug-and-go
plotter with six pens, not just two.

Mounted on a revolver-like
cylinder, they change automati-
cally in a fraction of a second.
No duds, either. The Good Guys
supply the pens, too.

The Six-Shooter is desk-top size,
but the plotting area expands
from 8W x 11" to 11" x 17" (engi-
neers, take note!). The name
may sound tough, but the
Six-Shooter is really
quite compatible.
With IBM and
Apple.

es the Six-Shooter.

Six-Shcioter Standard interlaces: parallel,
and serial with eavesdropping:

oo

Plotter

1 ' '

1
Eavesdrop Mode

1 1

Serial Interface

x

With major CP/M-based micros
like DEC and Kaypro. How friendly
can you get?

You can even introduce it to
your network. Switch from par-
allel interface to RS-232 serial
interface and back again . . . both
ports are provided. The Six-
Shooter will handle it. It'll also
"eavesdrop" on the line between
your mainframe computer and
any terminal, just waiting for the
right signal to trigger it into action.

Draw your own conclusions
from over 50 software packages.

You can draw on lots of software
to help you.

The Six-Shooter is supported
by one of the largest graphics
libraries available to any plotter.
IBM and Apple plotters included.

Model 100. That's a library of
over 50 packages. And growing.

If you still can't get what you
need, let the Good Guys know.
Chances are, we can help you
write the program.

A quick-draw artist. . .
at 14 inches a second.

That's how fast the Six-Shooter
is. And wait'll you see the high-
resolution quality of the graphics.
The Six-Shooter literally
puts an art department at
your fingertips. Without
the delays, the excuses
and the egos.

You have a choice of
fibertip pens in 12 colors.
They can draw on paper or acetate
(for overhead transparencies).
Color-switching is automatic and
lightning-fast. So is pen-capping.

You can even load the Six-
Shooter with rapidograph-type
pens for engineering drawings.
The Six-Shooter will make short
work of them. Short. And accurate.

Support your local Six-Shooter.

The Good Guys do. So does
Xerox.

If your Six-Shooter ever needs
servicing, just take it to any Xerox
Service Center. There are over
80 of them throughout

To begin with, there are Sweet-P
business graphics created for
CP/M and MS/DOS based micros.
Six-Shooter can work with pro-
grams for Apple and the IBM PC,
too. Names like Lotus 1-2-3,
pfs Graph, Graphwriter, BPS,
Chartmaster Civilsoft and
Autocad . . .to name a few.
What's more, Six-Shoot-
er can work with most
software written for
the H-P 7470, the H-P
7475 and our Sweet-P

Trademarks: Sweet-P, Six-Shooler, Personal Plotter, Enter Computer,

Inc.; Apple. Apple Computers; Auto Cad, Auto Desk; BPS. BusinessS Professional

Software; Chart Master. Decision Resources; Civilsolt, Civilsoft; CP/M, Digital Research;

DEC, Digital Equipment; Graphwriter, Graphic Communications; H-P. Hewlett-Packard; IBM, Internalional

Business Machines; Kaypro, Non Linear Systems; Lotus 1-2-3, Lolus Development; MS/DOS, Micro Soft; pfs Graph,

Soltware Publishing

the nation, backing our own
service reps.

Xerox knows Six-Shooters. And
respects them.

And if you need software
advice or assistance of any kind,
call the Good Guys direct. There's
a special group of them to help
you match the appropriate soft-
ware to your specific needs.

In California, call them toll-free
at (800) 227-4371. For anywhere
else in the nation, the toll-free
number is (800) 227-4375. <

As for the Six-
Shooter itself,
you'll find it prim
ed and ready
at your nearest q^
computer store.
Go for it!

—&

Th*.

'Ys

>■ :'•

The good guys from
out of the West.

Enter Computer, Inc.,
6867 Nancy Ridge Drive
San Diego, California 92121
Telephone (619) 450-0601

#

Enter Computer.

The Sweet-P Personal

Plotter Company.

See us at COMDEX Booth 1324

Circle 176 on inquiry card.

BYTE West Coast

Microsoft Windows

A mouse with modest requirements

The desktop metaphor and the
mouse present attractive concepts,
but Apple's Lisa or IBM's PC XT run-
ning Visi On exceeds the budget of
the average personal computer user.
Both of these systems require a hard
disk and great quantities of RAM
(random-access read/write memory).
Although the mouse itself is a small
part of the expense, it is a symbol of
this approach to software, and some
computer users have been heard to
mutter, "What price mice?"

Another factor keeping down the
mouse population has been the
shortage of things for them to point
at (or the shortage of applications
software). Until there is a large in-
stalled base of Lisa and Visi On sys-
tems, many software authors will
forgo the expense of developing ap-
plications programs for these sys-
tems. Prospective buyers of personal

by Phil Lemmons

computers, on the other hand, are
unlikely to buy a Lisa or Visi On un-
til more software is available. Apple's
own software for Lisa is magnificent,
but other applications programs are
only now emerging. Visicorp is mak-
ing a major effort to induce program-
mers to write more for Visi On, but
the requirement of a Unix develop-
ment system is an obstacle to the
smaller software houses and in-
dependent designers. The expense
underlying the Unix development
system is the hardware required to
run it— once again, lots of memory
and a hard disk.

This keeps most of us staring at the
MS-DOS or CP/M command line and
hoping that a sudden fall in the
prices of RAM and hard disks will
open the way to metaphors and mice.
With the introduction of Microsoft
Windows, however, the company

that brought us MS-DOS promises a
mouse-and-window show running
off two 320K-byte floppy disks and
192K bytes of RAM. (More RAM is
required, of course, with each addi-
tional application.) To make Micro-
soft Windows even more attractive to
personal computer users, Microsoft
promises to price Windows "as an
operating-system component"— that
is, inexpensively.

The economics of Microsoft Win-
dows will also appeal to program-
mers. Programmers don't need to
buy special hardware or to learn Unix
in order to develop software that runs
under Microsoft Windows —they can
use their own IBM Personal Com-
puters. Moreover, programmers can
take advantage of the ability to
customize windows so that each soft-
ware house retains its own distinct
look within the Microsoft environ-

NtWHJ Com Pel etc Goto Help Kane Opti«
elect sption or tsps comanj tetter

Session Control

Photo 1

48 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Microsoft BASIC Version 5.28

[NS-WS Version]

Copyright 1977-1983 (0 by KicMSOft

Created; 24-Hay-83

62259 Bytes free

Ok

CMHWtt: Cow Mete Goto Help Kane Options Quit Run

Hi MOD
Select option or type comtanJ letter

Session Control

Photo 2

Device-Independent Graphics Output for Microsoft Windows

by John Butler

What makes it possible for Microsoft
Windows to output graphics to different
devices— printer/plotter devices as well as
bit-mapped screens—without changing the
graphics code?

Microsoft Windows works with a device-
independent graphics system called Graph-
ics Device Interface, or GDI. GDI consists
of graphics routines that provide the in-
terface between programs that want to
draw images and different output devices.
The graphics calls from these programs are
not specific to any device. GDI mediates
between the graphics calls and the actual
devices. The calling program may be an
operating-system extension like Microsoft
Windows or an application program writ-
ten in a high-level language.

The design of a device-independent
graphics system like GDI begins with the
definition of an abstract device. The abstract
device is the collection of all the functions
that ultimately will be performed by the
actual graphics devices. (For example,
"draw a circle" or "change hatch style"
would be functions for devices to perform.)

When a function is called, GDI takes the
function parameters, in abstract-device
terms, and passes them to a logical-device
driver. A logical-device driver is the soft-
ware that translates abstract-device func-
tions into a sequence of device-specific ac-
tions. These actions (communicated
through a physical-device driver) result in
the appearance of graphics on the device.

The GDI Abstract Device

The design of the abstract device ulti-
mately determines the types of devices the
system can talk to and to what degree the
system will be device independent. To
define the abstract device for GDI, Micro-
soft included graphics commands from the
current ANS1-VDI (American National
Standards Institute-Video Display Inter-
face) standard for drawing on plotting
devices. The raster frame-buffer class of
device was included by adding the graphics
functionality from IBM Personal Computer
BASIC. A screen-dump facility and addi-
tional raster support provide hard copy and
animation capability. GDI's abstract device
can support any of the usual graphics sub-
routine libraries (for example, SIG-
GRAPH/ACM CORE, ISO GKS, Plot-10)
as applications.

The Graphics Primitives

The language of the abstract device is
made up of "primitives." The primitives
are the calls to the graphics functions avail-
able at the lowest level of GDI— the level
of the logical-device driver. They are de-
scribed functionally as follows:

•Control Primitives. These primitives ini-
tialize, terminate, and clear the device.
•Output Primitives. These primitives
result in the appearance of an actual im-
age on a graphics device. Included are
move, mark, polymark, line, polyline,
polygon, rectangle, circle, arc, text, and

put/get/move bit maps.
•Attribute Primitives. These primitives
describe something about the appearance
of the output primitives. Each output
primitive has a set of appearance com-
mands, including size, color, and style. The
filled-output primitives (those defining
closed areas, such as polygon and circle)
take on additional attributes for the color
and style of the interior. Attribute
primitives are also provided for using color
translation tables and doing high-quality
text.

•Viewing Primitives. These primitives
control clipping, relative or absolute coor-
dinates, and absolute sizing of images (to
inches or meters). They define the border
to which output primitives will be clipped.
The viewing primitives also map coor-
dinates from the logical device driver to the
physical device driver and from one coor-
dinate space to another, and they set up
the resolution of the logical coordinate
space.

•Inquiry Primitives. These primitives
return information to the application pro-
gram about the current attributes, view-
ing pipeline, and control flags from the
logical-device driver.

GDI provides a language that applica-
tion programs can use to create images.
An application program can create images
without knoiving about the characteristics
of the output device.

merit. The same enlightened attitude
enabled Microsoft to resist the temp-
tation to reserve Windows as an en-
vironment for its own applications
programs. Microsoft is making Win-
dows available to a number of appli-
cations software houses, including
some major competitors.

Microsoft Windows is an installable
device driver under MS-DOS 2.0
using ordinary MS-DOS files. Com-
plete compatibility with MS-DOS
means that Windows will at least let
you run any application that runs
under MS-DOS. In the worst case,
Windows will turn the full display
over to an MS-DOS application and
return you to your place in Windows.
"Language bindings" will enable pro-
grammers to write software for

Microsoft Windows in any Microsoft
programming language.

Running Microsoft Windows

Photos 1-13 show a sequence of
operations in Microsoft Windows.
The photos on pages 52-53 show a
variety of machines whose manufac-
turers have adopted Microsoft Win-
dows as an applications environment.

During normal use, Microsoft Win-
dows displays one or more windows,
each with a different application. You
can move the cursor from one win-
dow to another. You can move win-
dows, change their size, scroll, get
help appropriate to the context in
which you are working, and transfer
data among windows. Windows
determines the highest level of data

transfer mutually acceptable to the
two applications, with plain ASCII
(American National Standard Code
for Information Interchange) as the
last resort.

The "session-control layer" be-
comes the equivalent of the empty
desktop where you can manipulate
files. The available commands appear
near the bottom of the screen. Nor-
mally, Microsoft Windows will restore
the desktop to the state at the time
of its last use. In photo 1, we start
from scratch.

To see the available applications
programs, you either use the mouse
to position the cursor on the com-
mand "Run" or type the letter "R."
Windows lists all the applications
programs as commands, and you

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

49

Photo 3

Photo 4

point at the desired program and
click the mouse to run it. You could
also type the appropriate letter
instead.

In photo 2, BASIC 86 is running in
a large window extending the full
width of the desktop. Because BASIC
86 does all its input/output through
MS-DOS, it can run in a Window.
Microsoft calls such software "co-
operative." The bottom of the screen
shows the commands available in the
session-control layer. You can use the
session-control layer to run another
program in parallel with BASIC 86.

The first step toward running a pro-
gram is shown in photo 3, where the
cursor points at "Run." Microsoft
Windows will now display a list of
the programs available.

Photo 4 shows the next application
selected. In this case, the program
that's run is "uncooperative'— that is,

it doesn't do everything through MS-
DOS system calls, sometimes going
beyond the operating system to write
directly to hardware addresses such
as those of screen memory. Microsoft
Windows can't run such a program in
a window and must give it the entire
screen. That is why photo 4 does not

Certain programs can't
use the multiple-
window feature.

show the session-control layer
beneath the display of "Piano."

Photo 5 shows the transition from
the uncooperative program to a
"smart" one that can live happily in
a smaller window and share the
screen with other programs that take
full advantage of Microsoft Windows.

The smart program is Microsoft
Word. Photo 6 shows two applica-
tions—Word in the upper window
and Multiplan in the lower; both
these programs were written to take
advantage of Microsoft Windows.
Because the cursor is pointing at one
of the cells in the Multiplan spread-
sheet, the command bar at the bot-
tom of the screen shows Multiplan's
commands. You can move either win-
dow by grabbing its title bar with the
mouse. You could "grow" either win-
dow by grabbing the "grow box." Al-
though these photos show the title
bar at the top of the window and the
grow box at the lower right, software
developers can put them elsewhere
if desired.

(In fact, Microsoft's own standard
window has changed since these
photos were taken. The latest version
provides a question mark on the right

Photo 7

50 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Photo 8

i; reasoning is peaswiss not regarded as final and strict but
rovi-iona! and plausible only, those purpose is to discover the solution
o: the present problen. we are cften obliged to use heuristic Masoning.
I* shall attain complete certainty when we shall have obtained the cou-
plets solution, but before obtaining certainty we nust often be satisfied
nth a wre or less plausible guess He nag need the provisional before
we attain the final. i

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<> im Free Word:

3 wm

Heuristic reasoning is reasoning not regarded as final and strict but as

provisional and plausible only, whose purpose is to discover the solution

of the present proble*. He are often obliged to use heuristic reasoning.

Me shall attain complete certainty when we shall have obtained the com-
plete solution, but before obtaining certainty we mist often be satisfied

with a *ore or less plausible guess, He nay need the provisional before

we attain the final.

2 3

January February

Sales
Cost

528682.62

Material

528208.88 $29482.8

54832.88 $4864.26 54896.??

COWttND: Alpha Blank Copy Delete Edit Fornat Goto Sort

Quit Insert Lock Hove Nane Options Print

Help Xternal value Window Iransfer
RKi 188/ Free Hultiplan,

Photo 5

Photo 6

part of the title bar. Selecting the
question mark brings help informa-
tion. If you put the cursor on the title
itself, it is replaced by little pictures
that represent what you can do with
the window. The new version also in-
cludes a status line at the top of the
screen and an area for icons at the
bottom.)

In photo 7, Multiplan's window has
been enlarged to show more cells and
more data, and Microsoft Word's
window has been reduced as neces-
sary.

Photo 8 shows both the Multiplan
window and the Microsoft Word
window reduced. (Since photo 8 was
taken, Microsoft Windows has been
adapted to use an automatic resizing
process called "tiling." Rather than
letting windows overlap or leaving
part of the desktop empty, Microsoft
Windows always gives all the space

on the screen to the applications that
are running.)

Photo 9 shows a charting program
occupying a large window at the
right-hand side of the screen. With
the cursor in that large window, the
command bar at the bottom of the
screen lists charting commands. Note

Microsoft Windows

can rescale graphics if

desired.

that when the window containing
the charting program is expanded by
moving the title bar and grabbing the
grow box, the line graph has been
automatically rescaled (see photo 10).
Microsoft Windows can rescale
graphics if desired.
Photo 11 shows a sample "pop up"

menu for the charting program.
Pointing at the PEN command on the
command bar at the bottom of the
screen has brought the display of the
menu of pen sizes and patterns. You
select sizes and patterns by using the
mouse to point at one of the boxes
shown in each list, then pointing at
the "OK" box (see photo 12). As with
other aspects of the Microsoft Win-
dows displays, programmers can re-
design menus to their own taste.

Photo 13 shows the graph dis-
played in accordance with the in-
structions entered— with a 4 by 4
pixel-pen size and a gray shading.
The graphics capabilities of Microsoft
Windows owe much to the device-in-
dependent graphics system de-
scribed by John Butler in the text box
"Device-Independent Graphics Out-
put for Microsoft Windows" on page
49.

UORJD

aH

Heuristic reasoning is reason-
ing not regarded as final and
strict but as provisional and
plausible only, whose purpose
is to discover the solution
of the present proble*. He are
often obligedjo use^heuristic *j

a/\

PLAN

11 1 2

1 January

3 Sales 528898.88
4

5 Cost

6 Material 54888,88^

%

COMMAND: Alpha Delete Entry Fomat Gallery Help Insert List
Quit Print List Iransfer Pen

Chart:l designed for: Screen 188/ Free Chart:

Photo 9

Photo 10

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

51

Some machines that run Microsoft Windows

Eagle PC

Burroughs B20

52 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Compaq Portable

Zenith Z-100

Texas

Instruments

Professional

Computer

Wang

Professional

Computer

Hi HH

HI

Hi _^_— -^HM

Honeywell Microsystem

6/10

Hr * " ""^""""flHH^Hl ^B

IISHil

I / I 1 1 1 » » • « 1 « ¥ * ■

H / T *: f T t » T T t t » t V

■ / J 1 1 t I 1 1 1 1 1 \ 1

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A package from
Radio Shack, not to
be opened before
December 1

Computer

Devices

Dot

Columbia
Data Products
MPC Portable

'

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 53

Pen Size

Pen Pattern

■ 1*1

■ Black

U 4*4

□ Gray

U 8*8

□ LtGray

OK

CANCEL

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Photo 11

If

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designed for: Screen 108*/ Free

Chart:

Photo 12

COMMAND: Alpha Delete Entry Format Gallery Help Insert List
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Chart :l

designed for; Screen 1807 Free

Chart:

Photo 13

54 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Conclusions

Microsoft Windows seems to offer
remarkable openness, reconfigurabil-
ity, and transportability as well as
modest hardware requirements and
pricing. As a result, the desktop
metaphor and mouse, intended to
bring computing power to nontech-
nical people, are finally going to
reach the hands of many such peo-
ple. Barring a surprise product in-
troduction from another company,
Microsoft Windows will be the first
large-scale test of the desktop meta-
phor in the hands of its intended
users.

It is natural to wonder whether
Microsoft Windows' ability to run in
limited memory and off floppy disks
will result in noticeable delays dur-
ing execution. Even Lisa with its
megabyte of memory and 68000
microprocessor frequently asks the
user to wait. Is the ease of use worth
the waiting? Will Microsoft Windows
somehow ingeniously avoid the
problem of delays? The answers to
these questions will shape the future
of mass-market software.

The open approach and the pre-
sentation of Microsoft Windows as an
extension of MS-DOS 2.0 will help at-
tract the horde of programmers nec-
essary to assure acceptable execution
speeds on the IBM PC. Just as
enough programmers working long
enough on enough different ap-
proaches have made the Apple II per-
form feats that once seemed incredi-
ble, enough programmers working
long enough on different approaches
will make applications run fast under
Microsoft Windows on ordinary
hardware. Even if this judgment
proves mistaken, Microsoft's policy of
openness and low pricing will have
made possible a major experiment in
mass-market software. For many soft-
ware authors as well as users, this
will be the first chance to test an ap-
proach to the user interface that has
hovered just beyond reach for several
years. ■

Phil Lemmons, BYTE's West Coast Bureau Chief,
can be reached at McGraiv-Hill, 425 Battery St.,
San Francisco, CA 94111.

Teletek's
New Combo
Could Make
You A Hero!

TheSBC-ll could be just the
right ingredient for your latest
concoction. The newest member
of Teletek's family of multi-user,
multi-processing S-100 products,
the SBC-ll essentially combines,
or "sandwiches" two Teletek
SBC-I's into one board. The SBC-
ll provides the capability to sup-
port two users from one standard
size IEEE-696/S-100 stave board.

The SBC-ll maintains full
performance for each user with
an independent CPU (Z80A or
Z80B), 64K RAM, Serial I/O, and
FIFO communications port to
the system master. The system
integrator benefits by getting
complete support for two users
for the price of one board.

TurboDOS and MDZ
operating systems will support
combinations of SBC-I's and
SBC-ll's offering system design
efficiency and flexibility never
before possible.

If you're hungry for value
and efficiency, order an SBC-ll
from Teletek. You'll love every
byte.

4600 Pell Drive
Sacramento, CA 95838
(916) 920-4600
Telex 4991834 TELETEK
Dealer inquiries invited.

© Teletek 1983

Circle 420 on inquiry card

NEW PRINT FORMATTER

'from CompuViewi

FEATURES

' Right and Left Justified Text

Centered Text and Underlining

Variable Line Spacing
1 Define Independent, Odd or Even

Page Header/Footer Titles

Set Variable Page Width and Length

• Set Top and Bottom Page Margins

• Variable Tab Settings

~> Automatic or Manual Pagination

Output Can Be Sent to a Disk

File, or Directly to a Printer

Vll\ll\ 1 is the perfect companion
of VEDIT or your favorite text editor to
provide formatted output to either a printer or
disk file. Combined with VEDIT you can now
have an ideally matched set of word
processing tools.

VPRINT is easy to use, requires no
installation, and operates with virtually every
microcomputer and printer made. And, it is
upwards compatible with the UNK for-
matting utility TROFF.

Diskand Manual $75

Purchased with VEDIT $50

fall or write for a complete descriptive
brochure of CompuView's software products:

VSPOOL

CP/M Software Print Spooler $75

VBUG

Z80Debugger $75

VCOM

Z80- 8080 Disassembler $80

yfJlSfC Dkk Production and File Transfer Program

Finally, you can solve most of your disk
production and transfer problems without
buying thousands of dollars of expensive
hardware. VDISK is a unique software package
that allows you to produce (Format, Read and
Write) or transfer virtually all 5 1/4" soft
sectored, double density diskettes on an
unmodified IBM Personal Computer.

You may have already have tried VDISK.
Chances are that the diskettes you have received
from many of the well known software
companies or distributors were made with VDISK.
It is a proven and well received product.

VDISK is menu driven and easy to use. It also
simplifies diskette production by allowing all
diskettes to be produced on the same machine, in
the same manner and with the same simple
commands.

VDISK requires no hardware modifications
and comes with our advanced CP/M-86
operating system - no other software is needed.
PCDOS disks can also be read and written. Plus
support for popular hard disks is available.

We can now help save you from the expense
and headaches of one of the biggest problems in
the microcomputer industry. VDISK is priced at
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CP/M-86 and MSDOS Communicator

MODEM-86 is the first truly universal telecommunication program
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also be transferred reliably with error checking / correction between any
two microcomputers running MODEM-86 or the popular CP/M
MODEM4 and MODEM7 programs. The help command, command
menu (expert mode turns menu off), and directory display simplify
operation.

MODEM-86 may be run in batch mode or interactively. This
software is available for both CP/M-86 AND MSDOS operating systems,
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Version for CP/M-86 or MSDOS $89

Versions for CP/M-86 plus MSDOS $120

SYSTRAN 'cP/M-SfyMS-DOS File Transfer Utility

SYSTRAN is a set of utility programs that run on CP/M-86 systems.
These programs perform basic file operations on MS-DOS disks, transfer
files between MSDOS disks and CP/M-86 disks, and several other useful
functions. SYSTRAN is distributed as eight command files on one 8"
single sided, single density, standard CP/M floppy disk or on 5 1/4"
floppy disks compatible with most CP/M-86 mini floppy systems.

The minimum hardware requirement is the same as the minimum
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there are no special requirements for the system's disk controller.

DiskandManual $120

UNIX & TROFF are registered trademarks of Bell Laboratories, Inc.

CompuView

56 BYTE December 1983

PRODUCTS, INC.

1955 Pauline, Suite 300 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 (313) 996-1299 Telex - 701821

Orders: P.O. Box 1349, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106

Circle 116 on Inquiry card.

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any word processor. Just a few
examples of VEDIT' S command
macro power are:

• Hundreds of tedious search/replace
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intervention.

• VEDIT macros are indispensible
with source code translations. (Ex-
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• An on-line tutorial and mail merge
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VEDIT is completely customizable
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True Full Screen Editing
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CI'.'M is i registered trademark 9l Dfctal Restart* lit USOOS is a iraiiuiurfc -A Microsoft IBM is a iradtmark of
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OT Comii in notions, Ine , Fttmlrgfram, ma Reprinted from infoWortd Quote from Byte review Copyrigfo luH.i by Byie

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BYTE December 1983

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User's Column

Buddy, Can You Spare
a Door Latch?

A lack of spare parts almost causes a crisis at Chaos Manor

by Jerry Pournelle

My summer has been devoured by
locusts. It's gone, and I don't know
where it went. Actually, I do: it wasn't
locusts, but our new novel Footfall
(Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle,
Ballantine Books, January 1985) that
ate my summer; so now I sit here
writing this column while everyone
else in the world is in San Francisco
for the first IBM PC Faire.

I suppose it doesn't matter: al-
though we ordered it two months
ago, our IBM PC hasn't arrived. Since
there's a ton of unreviewed PC soft-
ware glaring balefully at me from the
far corner of the office, it would be
beyond reason to collect more until
the machine arrives.

I confess we're looking forward to
the machine. I already have a number
of ideas for upgrading it, and I hope
to test a bunch of expansion boards
for it.

Then, too, Mrs. Roberta Pournelle
has written a book on using com-
puters to teach young and/or educa-
tionally handicapped children to
read, and we plan to do the first im-
plementation on the IBM PC, so
we're eager to get started. Once we

have it for the PC, we'd like to get it
running on the TI-99 (because it's a
cheaper machine, and has a voice
synthesizer already integrated to it,
so more schools would be able to
make use of her teaching system at

Logitech's Modula-2

compiler works on

nearly any machine

running CP/M-86.

lower costs), but, alas, our efforts to
find reasonable programming lan-
guages for the TI have failed.
Anyway, that's for the future.

Flash

The American Society for Com-
puters in Medicine and Dentistry will
hold a meeting at Honolulu's Shera-
ton Waikiki Hotel from January 4-8,
1984. Speakers will include myself,
Dr. Larry Weed, whose "diagnostic
programs" have impressed me tre-
mendously, and Marvin Minsky of
the MIT Artificial Intelligence
Laboratory.

Anyone interested should write Dr.
John S. McDonald, President,
ASCMD, POB 21483, Upper Arling-
ton, OH 43221, (614) 421-8487. The
ASCMD is a nonprofit professional
society.

Hot Tip

I've heard from three sources now
that Digital Research is no longer
supporting CP/NET. It claims it will
have something to replace it Real
Soon Now. The company has also
abandoned several previously an-
nounced modules of GSX, its graph-
ics support package that was an-
nounced with such fanfare at Com-
dex last spring. This has not amused
several equipment manufacturers
who'd invested considerable time in
CP/NET and/or GSX.

Modula-2!

We're running Logitech's Modula-2
compiler. It works on the Eagle, the
IBM PC, and nearly any other ma-
chine that runs CP/M-86. It comes
with System and Terminal modules
(including source code) that allow it
to adapt to whatever you're running;

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

59

the latest version I have is for the
Compupro 8085/8088.

Because of the pressure of our
novel, I've done little more than play
with the compiler. That changes as
soon as this book is done. I intend to
write some serious code in Modula-2.

The Logitech Modula-2 compiler
works. On the other hand, you'd bet-
ter be a Modula-2 enthusiast. This is
still a language implementation un-
der development, and it lacks a lot of
conveniences. The documents need
work, too. No matter, if you're bent

on getting Modula-2 now, as I am;
but fair warning if you're a casual
user.

Understand, the compiler works.
There are some significant limita-
tions. No type REAL numbers yet,
and no overflow and range checking
code. Priorities in modules are not
yet implemented— you can program
them in, but they're ignored. These
are not severe limits for the first ver-
sion of a compiler, and they'll be cor-
rected soon anyway, mostly before
you read this. (Type REAL, based on

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The documents are very rough.
There's no index, and no tutorial on
how to use Modula-2. You have to
rely on Wirth's book, Programming in
Modula-2, and that's nearly unread-
able. I'd like to do a good book on
Modula-2 myself; I'd rather have one
to read than have to write it, but I'm
beginning to despair. However, Logi-
tech's documents are good enough if
you know something of what you're
doing— for example, if you're some-
what used to C or Pascal on micro-
computers.

Modula-2 is still

a language

implementation under

development, and it

lacks a lot of

conveniences. The

documents need

work, too.

There is, for instance, a simple
walk-through for getting "MyPro-
gram" written, saved, compiled, and
operating. Given that example, you
can build up to more elaborate levels.

I say the Logitech package is a bit
rough, but it's a little hard to give
specific problems, because as fast as
they're found, Logitech fixes them.
The company has been really respon-
sive to user reports. Moreover, many
problems aren't all that severe. For ex-
ample, the documents say that if you
compile a source file, the compiler
looks for a default of type .MOD (that
is, if you don't specify a filename ex-
tent, the compiler assumes one of
.MOD); in fact, though, it doesn't
assume any such thing, and you
must type in FILENAME. MOD,
which is annoying although hardly
fatal.

The compiler is pretty slow, too; it
takes four passes at the code, and
there's no precompiler to find trivial
errors (such as undeclared variables
and missing semicolons). However,

60 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 380 on inquiry card.

Circle 414 on inquiry card.

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corporation

Pierluigi Zappacosta, president of
Logitech, tells me that in the past
week (August 22-26) it has improved
the speed of the CP/M-86 compiler by
20 percent.

Logitech has also identified a num-
ber of small but important improve-
ments that ought to be made to the
language itself. Logitech, Volition
Systems, and Diser Inc., the three
U.S. publishers of Modula-2, have
agreed on a set of changes and hope
to persuade Niklaus Wirth, Modula-
2's inventor, to approve them. They're
not major, but they will make life a
lot easier for programmers. One
change is type LONG INTEGER, so
that you can handle really big num-
bers. Another is the ability to build
a string by concatenating characters
one at a time; at the moment, string
handling is a bit awkward.

Late addition: Wirth's comment is
that industry needs standards more
than academia, and he won't oppose
the proposed extensions.

Logitech is also working on a text
editor that will be integrated with the
compiler, much as the editor is in-

tegrated into the compiler in Digital
Research's Speed Programming Pack-
age addition to its Pascal MT + .
Modula-2 badly needs that feature.
It also badly needs a precompiler.
That is: Modula-2 is case sensitive.
All the reserved words (such as DO
and WHILE and END) must be in
uppercase letters. In addition, vari-
able and function names are case
sensitive. The new-line function is
WriteLn and it must be written that
way; Writeln or WRITELN won't do.
That's not a bug, it's a feature. It's not
a feature whose value is self-evident,
although I'm beginning to under-
stand its purpose. In any event, I'm
writing a kind of precompiler, a sort
of very primitive cousin of the C lan-
guage's lint, which will look for silly
errors such as missing semicolons,
and also check for reserved words in
the wrong case, and WriteLn and
WriteString not spelled funny, and
such like. Writing it is instructive: it's
really a simple thing to do, and add-
ing features to the program turns out
to be very easy. Obviously I'm writ-
ing the program in Modula-2.

There's a whole lot to like about the
Logitech implementation of Modula-2.
For example, the company gives the
source code for the Terminal and Sys-
tem modules, as well as a whole
bunch of others. The library is quite
extensive.

Despite my enthusiasm, I don't ad-
vise beginning programmers to buy
Logitech Modula-2 for their CP/M-86
or IBM PC-DOS systems just yet.
Wait a couple of months until it gets
the bugs out.

You should also give Logitech a
chance to polish up its documents.
It's worth half your sanity to try to
figure out how to open, close, read
from, and write to CP/M files. The in-
formation is all there, in comments in
the source code for the Library
module FileSystem; but, alas, there
are no examples, which almost drove
me nuts when I tried actually to use
the code.

Again, Logitech assures me it's
dancing as fast as it can, and it takes
my suggestions seriously; it recently
hired document consultants to help
improve documentation. Still, begin-

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ztec

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62 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 275 on inquiry card.

' «^v

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'Ji^r'

5 \\

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ners should be wary.

On the other hand, there's no
reason for experienced programmers
to wait. If you're used to writing Pas-
cal programs and you're interested in
Modula-2, 1 recommend the Logitech
implementation. If you like Pascal
MT + , you'll love Modula-2.

More Modula-2

The Logitech Modula-2 system
generates native code (makes .CMD
command programs) for machines
running CP/M-86 and IBM PC-DOS,
and is the only Modula-2 implemen-
tation I know of for machines with
those operating systems.

There's another Modula-2. Volition
Systems publishes Modula-2 for ma-
chines using the UCSD Pascal oper-
ating system. The two I know about
are for Apple UCSD Pascal and the
Sage, but I have a press release an-
nouncing it for the IBM PC, complete
with operating system, editor, tuto-
rial programs, and lots of utility pro-
grams. I should have the PC version
about the time I get my PC.

Unlike Logitech Modula-2, Volition
Systems Modula-2 generates an in-
termediate p-code (as does UCSD
Pascal). Volition is currently working
on a Modula-2 compiler to produce
native code for the 68000 chip to
operate under CP/M-68K. Volition
promises to have that Real Soon
Now. It ought to be significantly
faster than its p-code implementa-
tion.

I haven't yet run competitive tests
of Volition vs. Logitech Modula-2, al-
though I know beforehand that Logi-
tech's will be considerably faster
(because it's native code). On the
other hand, the current Volition
documents are incomparably better
than Logitech's. You can use the Voli-
tion documents to learn a lot about
Modula-2. Oddly enough, though,
the Volition documents are missing
one vital ingredient: there's no walk-
through for writing, saving, and
compiling a simple program, and it
turns out to be darned hard to
puzzle out how that's done.

Indeed, I learned most of what I
know about Modula-2, and caught
my enthusiasm for the language,
from the Volition Systems people.

64 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 497 on inquiry card.

OLIVETTI M20 PERSONAL COMPUTER

WE'VE MADE A FAMILY
OUT OF A PERSONAL

Olivetti, who invested its office
know-how in the M20 personal
computer now introduces you to
another member of the family: the
M20D model with a memory thirty
times larger than the basic version.
And when there's a need for even
greater power and coordination in
office jobs, the Olivetti M20D can
manage a group of M20s working in
conjunction with one another, inte-
grated into a local area network. So
from today there is afamily of Olivetti
personal computers with different
storage capacities and a wide
choice of operating systems (MS-DOS, CP/M-86,
PCOS, UCSD-P) to satisfy different needs. And with

their 16-bit technology and commu-
nication capabilities they will keep
abreast of change. In fact they are
designed for integration into remote
text/data processing and office au-
tomation as it is today and as it will
be in the future. Olivetti protects
your investment in equipment and
software. The M20 personal com-
puter family makes your problem
solving less problematic leaving
you far more time for the creative
side of your job. Olivetti's personal
computers embody all of the com-
pany's leadership in ergonomics
and design which have become a consolidated part
of its success in the office throughout the world.

MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Inc.
CP/M-86 is a trademark of Digital Research.
UCSD-P system is a trademark
of the Regent of the University of California.

Olivetti

brains & beauty

Circle 325 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

65

FOR YOUR BOTTOM LINE.

ALPHA SOFTWARE

IUS

PERFECT SOFTWARE

Data Base Manager II

$199

EasyWriter II

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Perfect Writer

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Apple IBM Connection

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EasySpeller II

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Perfect Speller

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APPLIED SOFTWARE

Financial Management

Perfect Calc

$139

TECHNOLOGY

Series

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Perlect Filer

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VersaForm

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LINK SYSTEMS

PETER NORTON

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Datafax (for IBM PC)

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Norton Utilities

$ 59

Magic Window II

$109

UK

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Magic Calc

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Data Perfect

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Word Plus— PC

$289

Magic Memory

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Letter Perfect

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ROSESOFT

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LEXISOFT

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Friday

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Financial Planner

$199
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Spellbinder
LIFETREE

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Personal Word Perfect

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Volkswriter Deluxe

$ CALL

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Select Word Processing

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Final Word
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Screenwriter II

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Condor III

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MICRO PRO

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Screenwriter Professional $149
The General Manager $169

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Wordstar (for IBM PC)
Wordstar (for Apple II)

$279
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SOFTWARE ARTS

TK! Solver

$219

(for IBM PC)
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Property Management
DIGITAL RESEARCH
C Compiler
Concurrent CP/M 86

$ 99
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$ 85
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WordStar Professional
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WordStar w/Z80
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MICROSOFT

C Compiler

Multitool— Financial
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$429
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SOFTWARE PUBLISHING

PFS: Write
PFS: File
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Multitool— Budget

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The Creator

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Money Decisions

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MICROSTUF

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Multi Mate

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Edix/Wordix

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MUSE

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Super Text Professional

$ 79

SuperCalc2

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Pie Writer (for Apple II)

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NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS

SuperWriter

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Pie Writer (lor IBM PC)

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Memory Shift

$ 79

SpellGuard

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HUMANSOFT

Answer

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T/MAKER

DBplus

$ 89

OASIS

T/Maker III

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INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE

The Word Plus

$119

VISICORP

TIM III

$289

PBL

VisiCalc

$169

Fast Graphs

$189

Personal Investor

VisiFiles (for IBM PC)

$219

INSOFT

(for Apple II)

$ 99

VisiFiles (for Apple II)

$189

Data Design

$169

PEACHTREE

VisiSchedule

$219

ISE

Peachtext

$169

VisiTrend/Plot

$219

Knowledgeman

$379

Peachpak 4 (GL/AP/AR) $269

VisiWord

$279

For more information on our complete line of software and accessories
call our toll-free number for a FREE copy of The Softline Catalog

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TERMS:

Checks— allow 14 days toclear. Credit processing— add 3%. COD orders— cash, M.O. or certified
check— add $3.00. Shipping and handling UPS surface— add $3.00 per item (UPS Blue $6.00
per item). NY State Residents— add applicable sales tax. All prices subject to change.

'339

PFS: File "^
PFS: Report

'189

dBase II

'399

QuickCode

'184

VisiCalc IV

'179

Multiplan

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Personal
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for IBM PC

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MailMerge

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DB Master

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Monday

thru Friday

9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

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/ Softline Corporation

'1333 60th Street. Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219

66 BYTE December 1983

Circle 391 on inquiry card.

Circle 234 on inquiry card.

The documents can be improved, but
they're pretty good.

Me, I'm glad to have Modula-2 on
two of my advanced machines, and
I can hardly wait for the CP/M-68K
version. I expect it's pretty obvious
that 1 really like the language.

Zipping Up Your Z-100

Zorro the Z-100 has become a per-
manent fixture here. We like his col-
or graphics a lot. For those few who
don't know, the Zenith Z-100 is a
dual-processor machine, with both
8085 (8-bit) and 8088 (16-bit) central
processing unit chips. On the 16-bit
side, it runs Z-DOS which is virtual-
ly indistinguishable from IBM PC-
DOS; the 8-bit side runs standard
CP/M 2.2x. We have WRITE, our
favorite text editor (see below), run-
ning on the Z-100.

There is also the H-100, which is the
Heathkit version of the Zenith Data
Systems Z-100. A number of readers
have written in to recommend getting
a Z-100 that way. I don't myself have
firsthand experience with the kit, but
James Ransom, an L-5 Society associ-
ate and friend, recently put one to-
gether. He'd never built a large kit of
any kind before.

Jim got his machine on Friday after-
noon and had it running by Saturday
night; and as I said, he's not at all ex-
perienced in kit building. So far as
we can tell, the machine runs fine,
and he saved a real bundle by build-
ing it.

In fact, there's not a lot to build.
You do have to solder the disk-con-
troller card. The Z-100 is an S-100-bus
machine although the computer and
its video driver are on a single non-
bus card; the disk controller is a
separate card, and thus easy to work
on. The computer and video com-
ponents are already assembled and
tested.

Except for soldering the disk con-
troller, building the kit consists large-
ly of assembling the prewired parts
and in general bolting things to-
gether.

Jim Ransom reports that not only
did he save money, but he's got a bet-
ter understanding of how his ma-
chine works. If that weren't enough,
the two volumes of technical manu-

als for the Z-100, which normally sell
for $55, come free with the kit.

More Brain Cells

Heath/Zenith sells the Z-100 with a
standard 128K bytes of memory.
There are slots on board the machine
for adding an additional 64K bytes.
The Heath memory upgrade kit lists
for $165, and consists of the memory
chips and instructions on how to dis-
assemble the machine and install the
chips.

If you buy the kit version, you can
get the memory expansion kit for half
price, or $82.50, but that's not really
a very good deal, because in fact
there's no earthly reason why you'd
want to pay that much. You can buy
the chips for less, and certainly the
kit builder knows how to take the
machine apart.

In fact, any moderately intelligent
user can upgrade a Z-100. Under-
stand, I assume no responsibility for
your success. I only report that I was
able to do mine— and indeed I had an
avoidable problem, which I'll detail
below. If you decide to do your own,
thus saving about $100, you do it at
your own risk, and don't blame me
if it doesn't work well.

The only tool needed is a hex-nut
driver, available in most hardware
stores for a dollar or so. It takes a bit
of thought to determine exactly how
to take the machine apart, but in fact
the relentless application of logic will
do the job.

You'll also need the memory chips,
of course. They're 4164 64K-bit
dynamic-memory chips. I got mine
from California Digital for $6.95 each.
I didn't have the instructions when I
first conceived this scheme, and
bought only eight of the chips, which
seemed reasonable— we were adding
64K bytes of 8-bit memory, so eight
64K-bit chips ought to do it, right?
Wrong, of course, because the Z-100,
like most other 16-bit machines, does
parity checking on the memory, and
thus needs an additional 64K bytes
(by 1 bit) of memory. Thus you need
nine of the 4164 chips. If you're a
worrier, get 10 so you'll have a spare
in case you do something awful.

Incidentally, I recommend Califor-
nia Digital as a good source of chips,

SOFTWARE
FOR MICROS

Assembler programs that bring a set of functions
available in IBM mainframes to small computers.

MenuWiz $99

MENU DRIVER WITH
PASSWORD CONTROL

Create easily menus to drive all your
applications and optionally restrict
access to them selectively with
password protection.

No programming skills are required. Just write a
few simple specifications to design a menu and
tell MenuWiz for each menu option.

• Name of the program or of another menu to
load (IBM DOS 2.0 users can also execute
operating system commands)

• What level of security you want (if zero no
security clearance is required).

To access a protected menu option the user has
to have entered a password with a security
clearance equal or greater than the security level
for that option.

A password maintenance program included, let
the master security officer maintain passwords,
set its security level (from zero to 99), and define a
password scrambling code.

- MenuWiz Logger to record $49
accesses on a history file

ScreenWiz $99

FULL SCREEN CONTROL

Define screen format specifications
outside your programs and save them
as a disk file. At execution time, call
ScreenWiz to retrieve the screen
formats and do all the I/O for you.

• One command input/displays a full screen

• Use all of your CRT video attributes

• Define up to 24 function keys

• Validate input while keying. Insert and delete
characters to correct fields.

• Tab fields forward and backward.

• Draw figures using vertical field displays.

• Save memory using format overlays and
virtual constants.

• Build help screens. Call them from any field
with a function key then return to where you
were.

• Cut your program code by as much as 50%.

- ScreenWiz Tester to display $49
screen samples

ReportWiz $99

FULL PRINTER CONTROL
WITH DISK BACKUP

Define report format specifications
outside your programs and save them
as a disk file. At execution time, call
ReportWiz to print the report for you.

• Handles automatically printing of heading,
detail and total lines, on page overflow.

• Edits numeric fields (commas, zero suppress,
date, sign, CR/DB, etc.).

• Automatic print of report page number.

• Uses ALL fancy printer controls your printer
supports. For example you can print headings
in double width, lotals underlined, messages
in italic, etc.

• Optionally redirects printer output to disk (like
a spooler) to avoid printer jam problems. A
print program included lets you print this disk
file selecting the page range and the no. of
copies.

• Cut your program code by as much as 50%.

- ReportWiz Tester to print $49
report samples

Available lor CP/M-80 and IBM DOS operating systems.
ScreenWiz and ReportWiz can be called from mosi popular
Basic. Cobol. Pascal. Fortran. Assembler and C programs
All prices are in U.S. dollars and include a comprehensive
Reference Manual, extensive examples and tutorial
demonstration programs Call tot CP/M-86 availability
Shipping costs per program (air parcel)
U.S. and Canada $ 6 OverseasS18

inTERPfiTH

n SYSTEMS INC.

15 Toronto St. Suite 700
Toronto. Ontario Canada M5C 2E7

Visa. M/C Am. Exp.
C.O.D.

CALL COLLECT TO ORDER

(416)366-2136

fans, disks, small parts, and general
computer hardware parts. The com-
pany is courteous, very efficient,
ships the same day you order (if you
give a credit card number), and is
willing to answer fairly stupid ques-
tions. (My stupid question came
about because I got eight chips, then
had to order another; the new one
didn't look like the other eight. It
wasn't made by the same outfit and
didn't have the same numbers. Cali-
fornia Digital's people assured me
they were the same, as indeed they
turned out to be.)

Once you have the chips, you need
to take the Z-100 apart. This involves
removing the cover, then removing
six hex nuts, two of which are topped
by the posts that help lock the cover
on. Once that's done, the two disk
drives and their mounting bracket lift
out as a unit. You have to disconnect
the cables; make a note of how they
were oriented before you disconnect
them. There are two cables to each
disk drive: a flat data cable and a
power cable. Each comes off by sim-
ple pulling, but don't yank. Be gen-

tle; data cables aren't especially
delicate, but you can pull them apart
if you're too rough.

Take the disk drives completely out
and lay them down carefully. This
will expose some more screws that
hold on the rest of the machine's
case; you also take out the other two
locking pins that held the upper part
of the case on. Lift off the case. That
exposes the keyboard, which simply
lifts off— it's not even screwed down.
Be careful of the keyboard cables.
Don't disconnect them, just set the
keyboard, still attached, on the table
in front of the machine. The cables
are long enough.

Now remove three screws that hold
the video board on and tilt it back.
You need not— and should not— dis-
connect anything here either; the
cables are long enough.

You'll see nine empty chip sockets,
eight right together and a ninth just
below and slightly off to one side.
They're marked U-137 through U-145,
and you can't miss them.

If you bought your chips from Cali-
fornia Digital, they arrived in a black

sticky foam thing that protects them
from static damage. Before taking
them out of that, ground yourself and
take a lot of precautions about static
electricity. Everyone I know warns
me about how easy it is to destroy
these chips.

Once the chip is removed from the
protective foam, do not lay the IC
down or let go of it until it is installed
in its socket. If you need to bend the
IC pins (you probably will), hold the
chip in one hand, use a metallic work
surface (such as the bottom of the
Z-100 case), and touch the metal sur-
face with the other hand before
touching the chip to the surface.

IC leads are often splayed, and
need to be bent perpendicular to the
chip before the chip can be inserted.
The ones I got from California Digital
didn't need that, but it's best to an-
ticipate.

Be sure to put the chips in the right
way, which is to say with the little
notch in the same direction as the lit-
tle notches are on all the other chips
on the board. If you get one in back-
ward, that chip is gone. Get the chips
Text continued on page 72

MRS/OS Source Code

Runs CP/M 2.2"
and CDOS- applk
cation programs

Contains SS OS
function calls
Direct and Standard
console I/O
Standard console I/O
includes numerical
formatting and I/O
steering
User defined
"CNTRL C" function
Sequential and
Random disk file
access

Provides Standard
file management
functions plus Direct
Disk Access
1 2 system utility
functions include
PATCH. DUMP, and
MERGE

Supports Batch
Mode Operations

I HM

Directory utility
provides directory
error checking,
statistics, and
alphanumeric
ordering

"HELP" menus
throughout

FULLY

COMMENTED
SOURCE CODE and
100 page manual
provided

Source code
provided on hard
copy and 8" SSSD
diskette

Requires 32 KZ-80
computer with
editor and assembler

$599S

ONLY

COMPLETE

(includes shipping 8 handling)
Mass. orders include 5% sales tax

1 6 Bowman Lane
i Westboro. MA 01581
'. (617)366-8969

Phone orders welcome

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research Corp
CDOS is a registered trademark of Cromemto Corp

, i.'v and dot matrix printers
^:/;ptitS:. tiiuiis jjOit without changing

any of your software!
Share youi printers, plotters oi modems

automatically!

ft

We hfive parallel switches designed especially for
■ ' your PC

Call ASCI Today

Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc.
435 N. Lake Avenue, Dept. II
Pasadena, Ca 91 101
(800) 824-7080 :''.,-

inCalifo-nio (2 13) 793-897 1 Telex 701215

68 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 322 on inquiry card.

Circle 16 on inquiry card.

NEVADA

NEVADA

• :

ITRAN C

"If you want to learn or teach someone FORTRAN, this is the
package to buy; ACCESS, March/April 1983.

Perfect for teaching FORTRAN. Perfect for learning FOR-
TRAN. Perfect for Scientists and Engineers. Based upon
the ANSI-66 standards (FORTRAN IV), advanced features
include IF. . THEN . . . ELSE constructs, COPY statement,
CHAINing with COMMON. TRACE style debugging and
150 verbal error messages. What's more, you can intermix
in-line FORTRAN and Assembly Language statements for
those special Micro needs! Get yours today. Diskette comes
with 214-page manual. (Requires 48K RAM).

NEVADA

PILOT

The documentation (131 pages) by Professor Starkweather is
exceptional! And, it meets all the PILOT-73 standards with
many new features, including a built in full screen text editor.
See review in Microcomputing, January 1983.

Perfect for training, testing, virtually all programmed instruc-
tion and word puzzle games. Order yours now! Diskette
and manual comes with 10 FREE programs.

NEVADA

EDIT

"A well-thought-out product with excellent documentation
and an astoundingly low price." Microcomputing, May 1983.

Now, high quality text editing for micros. Nevada EDIT is
great for program editing, as it was designed specifically
to create COBOL, BASIC, and FORTRAN programs. It's a
character-oriented full-screen video. display text editor.

Simple to configure. You can customize tab stops, default
file type, keyboard control key layout, and CRT by menu
selection.

CP'M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc. TRS-80 is a registered trade-
mark of Tandy Corp Apple II is a trademark of Apple Compuler. Inc Osborne is a reg-
istered trademark of Osborne Computer Corp Xerox 820 is a trademark of Xerox Corp
Kaypro is a trademark of Non-linear Sys. Heath/Zenith is a trademark of Heath Corp
IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines, Corp Nevada COBOL. Nevada
FORTRAN, Nevada PILOT, Nevata EDIT and Ellis Computing are trademarks ol Ellis
Computing, Inc 8 1983 Ellis Computing. Inc

o

ELLIS COMPUTING

tut

Nevada COBOL is based upon the ANSI-74 standards with
many advanced features. It's field-proven with over ten thou-
sand users world-wide in Business, Government and Educa-
tion. The excellent documentation (165 pages) is used as a
classroom text at a number of colleges.

Also available: COBOL Application Packages, Book 1 , $9.95.

NEVADA

It's simply a better BASIC

The interpreter has a great built in full-screen text editor (Pro-
fessor Starkweather's). What's more, there are multi-line user
defined functions, full matrix operations and much more. You
get a diskette and 220-page manual.

This is a limited time offer, so order yours today!

each

Money back guarantee. If for any reason you're not com-
pletely satisfied, just return the package— in good condition
with the sealed diskette unopened— within 30 days and we'l
refund your money.

MAIL TODAY! TO: Ellis Computing, Inc.

3917 Noriega Street

San Francisco, CA 94122

(415)753-0186
The CP/M® Operating System, a 8080/8085/ Z80 microprocessor,
and 32K RAM are required.
Software Packages:

□ COBOL D FORTRAN D PILOT □ EDIT Q BASIC
Diskette Format: 8" D SSSD (Standard IBM 3740 format)

5V4" □ AppleCP/M DXerox820SD QOsborneSD
O Televideo D Micropolis Mod II

□ North Star DD D North Star SD

D TRS-80 Mod I with CP/M @ 4200 hex D TRS-80 Mod I/Mapper
O Heath Hard (Z-89) □ Heath Soft (Z-90)

□ Superbrain DD DOS 3.X (512 Byte sectors)
DKayproDD CDECVT-180 D Epson QX-10
ON EC PC 8001 □ Sanyo D Access

Shlpping/Handting Fees: Add $4.00 for the first package and $2.00 each additional
package. OVERSEAS add $15.00 for first package and $5.00 each additional package.
Checks must be in U.S. funds and drawn on a U.S. bank!
Send my order for.

. packages @ $29.95 each Total .

COBOL Applications package @ $9.95 each Total .

in CAadd sales tax .

D Check enclosed Shipping/handling.

□ MasterCard CI Visa Total

# Exp. Date

Signature

Ship to:
Name

Street

City/State/Zip

Circle 173 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

69

Epson.
For those who need it,
simplicity

One computer.

Two points of view

The Epson QX-10 personal computer

To many, the Epson represents the
ultimate in simplicity.

Just press a single key for the func-
tion you require: word processing,
scheduling, business graphics, address
book or file management. One key-
stroke produces your program. There
are no rigamaroles to remember. No
disks to change.

The result: you start to work
immediately. And you start being pro-
ductive, immediately. With step-by-
step prompts. In plain English, not
computerese.

Simplicity itself.

Or is it ?

The plain fact is that the ease of
operation the Epson offers today is
accomplished with a degree of tech-
nological sophistication most other
computers can only promise for tomor-
row—specifically, fully integrated
software, operating in an interactive
environment.

The few other computers offering
such "simplicity" cost $5,000 to $15,000
more. And most other computers can't
offer it at any price. Which makes
one wonder exactly what they do offer,
in terms of either simplicity, or
performance.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU DO

ON THE EPSON? HOW MUCH

ARE YOU READY TO DO?

The Epson's ease of operation
may spoil you, but it certainly won't
limit you.

Case in point: every Epson comes
complete with an integrated soft-
ware system — Valdocs® — to effortlessly
provide the basic functions for which
most people buy computers. But it
is important to note that the Epson also
comes with CP/M®-80 2.2. So you
can choose from hundreds of programs:
dBase II® Wordstar;® Personal Pearl®
Supercalc® Microplan® MBA General
Ledger,® Mnltiplan® Peachtext®
Spellwriter® and Datavieuf just to
name a few.

Or, you can write your own,
utilizing a variety of programming
languages such as COBOL 80,
FORTRAN 80; or Microsoft® BASIC,
which is included, free.

Best of all, you will run the
software of your choice on the
computer of choice. The high-
performance Epson. With 256k
random access memory. 128k dedi-
cated video memory. The
breathtakingly sensible
HASCI® keyboard.
Dual 380k double
density disk
drives.

2+2=

Graphics

capabilities unequalled in
its price range. A high resolution monitor,
640 by 400 pixels, for clarity few com-
puters in any price range can offer. Plus,
an RS-232C interface, a parallel printer
interface, and internal space for up to
live peripheral cards so you can expand
your Epson as your needs require.

One further point: all these features,
and quite a few more, are included
in the Epson's $2,995 price. Some com-

70 BYTE December 1983

Epson.
For those who can handle it,
performance.

puter companies ask you to pay extra
for features like these. Most can not offer
them at any price.

That, too, is performance. The kind
of performance that can make choosing a
personal computer very simple, indeed.

EPSON QUALITY OR, WHY

WONDER WHAT TERRIBLE

KLUDGES LURK IN WHICH

SLEEK BOXES.

know computers, you
know Epson.
Epson
printers set
the industry
standard
for quality,
reliability
and value.
Rest assured,
the same
can be said
for the Epson
personal
computer.
The satisfy-
ing silence of
the slim, Epson-
designed disk-
drives is one way
for you to judge or,
for an inside-out
perspective, here is an
excerpt from a review
by Jim Hanson in the
April, 1983 issue of
Microcomputing*

"The Epson QX-10 is soundly designed
and executed. I looked hard and found
no evidence of kludging or shorting out
anything in the name of economy. All
the connectors have gold on them and are
of quality manufacture. The printed
circuit boards are heavy, with soldermarks
on both sides of double-sided boards.
The circuit boards are completely silk-
screened with component labels, and the
layout is as professional and clean as
you will find anywhere."

Isn't this what you expect? After all,
it's an Epson.

A WORD TO THE WISE:

GET YOUR HANDS ON

THE EPSON.

Is the Epson a simple, easy-to-use
computer for beginners? Or a sophisticated
high-performance computer for the
experienced? The answer is "yes." And
when you think about it, aren't those two
computers the one you need now.

For technical specifications, and
the complete, 3-part Microcomputing
review, along with the name of
your nearby Epson dealer, call toll-
free (800) 421-5426. California resi-
dents, call (213) 539-9140.

*F..\cerpt reprinted by permission of Microcomputing Magazine.

All right-s reserved

CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc.

Valdocs and 1 IASC1 arc trademarks of Rising Star Industries.

dBase II is a trademark of AshtonTate.
Wordstar is a trademark of Micropro.
Personal Pearl is a trademark of Pcarlsoli.
Spcllwriter and SupercaJc are trademarks of Sorcim.
Microplan is a trademark of Chang Libs.

MBA Genera! Ledger is a trademark of Micro Business
Applications.

COBOL 80, FORTRAN 80, Microsoft, and Multiplan
are trademarks of Microsoft.
Peachtext is a trademark of Peachtree Software.

EPSON

STATE-OF-THE-ART. . . SIMPLICITY.

BYTE December 1983 71

Text continued from page 68:
in properly, making sure that every
pin is in a socket. Inspect it with a
strong flashlight.

Then put the machine back to-
gether, fire up Z-DOS, and run the
MEMTST. If you get memory errors,
it's likely a chip was improperly in-
stalled. We did, and it was easily fix-
able. The result is a 192K-byte system.

Megabyte, Anyone?

Of course if you're a real memory
fanatic, you can install a Macrotech
l-megabyte memory board. Alas,
there's not much software to make
use of that much memory for the
Z-100 because it doesn't (yet) run
CP/M-86. It's also nontrivial to figure
out how to get your Macrotech mega-
byte board running in a Z-100 from
just the Macrotech documents.

You can install the Macrotech
megabyte board in most S-100 sys-
tems. If you're running CP/M 2.2,
only the first 64K bytes of that mem-
ory is available as work space, but the
rest can be configured as a "virtual
disk," i.e., the machine can be fooled
into thinking that's a very fast disk
drive. If you've read previous col-
umns, you'll know I'm a believer in
virtual disks.

To the best of my calculations,
Macrotech's huge boards provide the
lowest cost per kilobyte of memory.
In the old days we all insisted on
static rather than dynamic memory,
because dynamic memory wasn't re-
liable. Really conservative designers

still think that way, but dynamic is
getting more and more converts, and
it sure costs a lot less.

Do We Care?

While we were taking the Z-100
apart, we managed to break one of
the disk-drive door latches. I'm not
sure how it happened. On the other
hand, once it was broken and we'd
taken the drive apart to examine it,
I couldn't understand why it never
broke before. That's a very poor
design.

In any event, my $300 drive was
disabled for want of about a dime's
worth of plastic. To make the disaster
worse, Mrs. Pournelle's book was on
Z-100 disks, and there was no way to
access it until we got Zorro fixed.
Needless to say, she was not pleased
with me.

My first thought was glue, but I've
never had much luck with those
super glues, and didn't this time; all
I managed to do was waste an hour
or so. However, the drive latch is a
simple mechanism, obviously easily
replaced (I'd taken it off to try to glue
it), so all I needed was a new plastic
part.

First call was to the local Heath
store. No spare parts for disk drives.
No idea of where to get them. In-
deed, they didn't even know these
were Tandon drives. (See photo 1.)

Second call to California Digital.
No spare parts. Priority One, ditto.
Both referred me to Tandon.

Photo 1: On the same day jerry's manuscript arrived at BYTE, the door pins broke on
of our Tandon floppy-disk drives.

Next day came. Roberta was getting
icily polite. Time to Do Something, so
I called Tandon and asked for the
Director of Marketing.

Tandon is a big outfit, and it took
about four levels of switchboards and
secretaries before I got someone. He
was very polite. I explained that I had
two problems. One was acute, name-
ly getting a vital but trivially cheap
spare part; the other was more to the
point, namely that I was acquiring an
IBM PC, and it might be interesting
to discuss how one might use Tandon
drives to expand the PC's capabilities.

It turned out that I had the wrong
man. My very polite contact told me
he'd find the proper person from
Product Support who'd call me.
Moreover, he recognized my despera-
tion, and would have someone call
soon. I expect he could hear my sigh
of relief all the way from Hollywood
to the Tandon factory out in the
northwest San Fernando Valley.

The call did come soon. This time
the caller sounded as if he were at the
bottom of a well; I presume he was
using a telephone amplifier. I'm part-
ly deaf, and I never did get the name
properly. In any event, I had an en-
lightening conversation. First he gave
his name. He already knew mine,
and knew what I wanted.

Next he asked if I understood the
computer industry. When I professed
not to understand the question, he
asked it again. "Do you understand
the computer industry?"

"I really don't know what the ques-
tion means."

"Do you understand the computer
industry?"

By now it was obvious that I was
in an endless loop, and I needed a
Control-C, so I said, "I think so."

"I don't think you do."

This didn't seem a very good way
to begin a relationship, but I wasn't
sure what to do about it.

He proceeded to explain that Tan-
don is an OEM supplier. "We ship
200,000 drives a month. Your source
was Zenith. You should ask Zenith."

I remembered when we put the
late Ezekial I together. Zeke used
iCOM disk drives, and when I had
problems I called the company; an
engineer explained precisely what I

72 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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SINCE 1973 —

plus1

I Writ* for your

BYTE December 1983

73

should do. That, however, was years
ago. Evidently the industry has out-
grown that kind of relationship with
its customers.

Anyway, I didn't tell him that. In-
stead, I explained that Zenith was in
Illinois, while both Tandon and I
were in Southern California. "I have
a $5000 computer disabled for want
of a 10-cent door latch," I said. "And
we've got book deadlines, and text we
can't access without that machine.
We've got some real problems, and I'd
really appreciate some help. All I
need is a spare part, and I can't find
anyone who'll sell it to me."

"We have 2000 employees, we ship
200,000 drives a month, and we can't
be bothered with trivia like that. We
can't handle spare parts. You don't ex-
pect General Motors to do that—"

But of course I do expect General
Motors to have spare parts. I pointed
out that I could go to any one of 50
auto parts stores to buy parts for my
car.

"I wonder if that was the case in
1927?"

I allowed that it probably wasn't,
although I recall from reading the
biographies of Albert Sloan and
Henry Ford that both were fanatics
about making their dealers stock
spare parts.

"I don't think you should be talk-
ing to Tandon," he continued. "How-
ever, I'll mail you the part."

Once again I breathed a huge sigh
of relief, and practically spouted
thanks. Then I asked if I could send
a messenger for the part, since our
need was desperate.

This got me another lecture. "We
establish guidelines, we establish
very definitive procedures, and
you're not following them," he said.

I pointed out that if he were going
to mail the part, it couldn't be that
hard to have whoever would mail it
simply take it to the receptionist's
desk where we'd pick it up. After
another lecture it was allowed that
this wouldn't be any worse break in
the procedure than sending me the
part would be.

I sent Alex out to get it. Since by
now I wasn't sure of the reception
he'd get, I told him to go also to
Priority One and buy a spare drive.

74 December 1983 © BYTE Publicaeions Inc.

Circle 336 on inquiry card.

SuperSof t BASIC Compiler

.®

for CP/M-86, MS DOS, and PC DOS

Compatible with Microsoft BASIC

The SuperSoft BASIC compiler, available under
CP/M-86 and MS DOS, is compatible with
Microsoft* BASIC and follows the ANSI I standard.
If you want to compile BASIC programs under
CP/M-86, PC DOS, and MS DOS, SuperSoffs
BASIC compiler is the answer.

Greater accuracy with BCD math routines

If you have used other languages without BCD
math, you know how disconcerting decimal round
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With IBM PC*

With SuperSoft

BASIC

BASIC with

BCD math

10A=99

10 A=.99

20 PRINT A

20 PRINT A

30 END

30 END

Output: .9899999

Output: .99

As you can see, SuperSoft BASIC with BCD
provides greater assurance in applications where
accuracy is critical.

SuperSoffs BASIC is a true native code compiler,
not an intermediate code interpreter. It is a
superset of standard BASIC, supporting numerous
extensions to the language. Important features
include:

• Four variable types: Integer, String, and Single
and Double Precision Floating Point (13 digit)

• Full PRINT USING for formatted output

• Long variable names

• Error trapping

• Matrices with up to 32 dimensions

• Boolean operators OR, AND, NOT, XOR,
EQV, IMP

• Supports random and sequential disk files with a
complete set of file manipulation statements

• IEEE floating point available soon as an option

In addition, SuperSoft BASIC has no run time
license fee. SuperSoffs line of fine language
compilers includes FORTRAN, BASIC, C, and
Ada.

Requires: 128K memory

BASIC compiler: $300.00

SuperSoft BASIC lets me run compiled BASIC
programs under either CP/M-86 or MS DOS.

*SuperSoft BASIC is compatible with Microsoft
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Japanese Distributor: ASR Corporation
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FIRST IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY PO Box 1628 Champaign, IL 61820 (217)359-2112 Telex 270365

SUPERSOFT LANGUAGES: THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.

Circle 408 on inquiry card.

Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

IBM PC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research.

BYTE December 1983

75

We could always use it, and that
seemed to me good insurance. I
wasn't at all sure what the gentleman
at Tandon wanted. Product support
at Tandon apparently consists of tell-
ing users that it doesn't provide any
product support.

When Alex arrived, the chap came
out to see him, and as Alex put it, he
was trying to be polite, but there was
this streak in him that insisted that
he impress us with just how big a
favor he was doing us.

In addition to the door latch, he

gave Alex some manuals for the
drives. "We usually charge $25 for
these," he said. Alex didn't ask who
usually paid the $25, since he had
made it very clear Tandon didn't deal
with end users and didn't want to.
However, we're grateful for the
manuals, which do tell us a lot about
the care and feeding of Tandon
drives. They're not very thick, and I
can't think it would cost very much
to print them. Surely in quantities of
200,000 they'd be less than a dollar,
and they'd sure be useful to anyone

10 reasons why you should call DataSource™
for micro software and hardware. . .

L

2.

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DB Plus • Humansoit 99,00

Knowledge Man - MDBS 395.00
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Software Tech 299 00

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Qraphici

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owning Tandon disks; they're really
quite well done. Oh, well.

I'm not sure what the moral to this
story is. I don't want to be unfair to
Tandon. I'm trying to fight the con-
clusion that its attitude is, "We ship
200,000 drives a month. We're Tan-
don. We don't care. We don't have to."
After all, at only the price of a lecture,
he did do me the favor I needed, and
I had after all asked for something I
wasn't entitled to. I really am grateful.
(I also bought a spare drive from Pri-
ority One, because I don't ever want
another iteration of that.)

Additions: first, I have a very
friendly letter from my first brief con-
tact, saying Tandon does, too, care.
I do want to emphasize that the com-
pany was very nice to me.

Second, the new drive we bought
came without manuals, and is a new
model, and as of now Priority One
doesn't know how to set the jumpers;
but it expects to hear from Tandon
Real Soon Now.

Spare Parts

The bottom line of my quest was
that Barry Workman and my son Alex
have decided to offer Tandon spare
parts kits at Workman and Associ-
ates. They don't expect to make much
money on them. As far as I'm con-
cerned, they're public benefactors,
they are, they are. If you own an IBM
PC, Zenith Z400, or any other ma-
chine with Tandon 5V4-inch drives,
you'd do well to get one of these kits.
You may never need it, but if you do,
you'll want it bad.

Editorial Conversion

Due largely to sloth, we've never
converted from Wordmaster as the
programming editor used here at
Chaos Manor. At one time, Word-
master was about the best program-
ming editor available; however, it
hasn't been maintained or supported
at Micropro, and it has fallen behind
progress. Still I continued to use it
from habit, despite having better
editors.

But of course I can't use Word-
master, an 8080 editor, for my
Modula-2 programs on the 8088.
There were two choices: Superwriter
from Sorcim, and Vedit from Com-

76 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 135 on inquiry card.

SuperSof t FORTRAN

Now for CP/M-86, MS DOS, and IBM PC DOS

SuperSoft FORTRAN is the answer to
the growing need for a high quality FORTRAN
compiler running under CP/M-86 and IBM
PC DOS. It has major advantages over other
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example, consider the benchmark program
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p. 44, Oct. 25, 1982. (While the differential
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IBM FORTRAN: 38.0 Seconds

SuperSoft FORTRAN: 2.8 Seconds
In its first release SuperSoft FORTRAN
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1 . Full ANSI 66 standard FORTRAN with
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3. Free format input and free format string
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4. Compact object code and run time support

5. Special functions include string functions,
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access

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7. Full IEEE floating point

8. Full 8087 support— available as option
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a leader in FORTRAN development.

CP/M and CP/M-86 are registered trademarks of
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Japanese Distributor: ASR Corporation International,
3-23-8, Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105. Japan.
Tel. (03)-437571 Telex: 0242-2723.

European Agent: Micro Technology Ltd., 51 The
Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England TN2 5TH
TEL 0892-45433. Telex: 95441 Micro-G.

Circle 409 on inquiry card.

FIRST IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY P.O.Box1628 Champaign, IL61820 (217)359-2112 Telex 270365

puview. Both have lots of nice fea-
tures. I'm not entirely sure why I
chose Vedit, but I did, and that's
what we use for programming now.

I'm also changing over on the 8-bit
systems, too.

Meanwhile, Compuview is send-
ing me yet another update of Vedit,
with its brand-new, completely re-
written documentation; Compuview
claims the rewrite was due to my
needling, and perhaps it was. Cer-
tainly its people have been more than
cooperative on the phone.

If you need a programming editor,
Vedit's a very good bet.

WRITE Now!

After much needling, wheedling,
and plain threats, Tony Pietsch has
got WRITE available and ready for
publication. All the known bugs are
fixed, the documents have been re-
written (from the crash text I did in
one marathon session before the 1983
West Coast Computer Faire), and an
Install program that knows a dozen
printers and twice that many con-
soles has been done.

WRITE, for those who tuned in
late, is the text editor that Larry Niven
and I use to write our books. It began
some years ago when we requested
Tony to fix the bugs in Electric Pen-
cil. That wasn't feasible, and Tony
wrote a new editor from scratch. It in-
corporated the Pencil features we'd
liked and added many others.

Over the years Larry and I kept
notes of features we wanted and bugs
we hated, and Tony produced new
versions of WRITE. One of them in-
corporated the best Search/Replace
function (called the macro view
editor) I've ever seen. Alas, it was
complicated to use, and AshtonTate
talked Tony into removing it for a
much more simpleminded Search/
Replace. This was back when it ap-
peared that AshtonTate would be the
publisher.

The macro view editor isn't in the
new release of WRITE, although
Tony promises it as an upgrade Real
Soon Now. That's a bit sad, because
it means I don't have it either; I've
always used the latest versions as
they came out. The Search/Replace

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we do have is more than adequate,
indeed is as good as that in any text-
oriented editor I know of; it doesn't
approach the power available in
Vedit, though.

However, WRITE is quite simply
the best text-creation editor I know
of. This conclusion is shared by every
professional writer who has taken the
trouble to learn WRITE. (Naturally I
mean all those I know of who've tried
WRITE; there may be some who tried
it and didn't like it and haven't told
me.) In addition to professional
writers, a number of beginning
writers, such as Dr. Trimpi, who's col-
laborating on a survival book with
me, and Roberta, who just finished
her book, are also WRITE enthusi-
asts. As I've said elsewhere, it's well
to get confirmation of one's prej-
udices.

What we all like about WRITE is its
transparency. WRITE doesn't get be-
tween you and what you're thinking
about. It doesn't natter at you. There
are no distracting flickers to give you
row and column number each time
you press a key (or each time you
pause for thought). When you want
WRITE to do something, it does it
now, generally with a single key-
stroke. It's also very nearly bullet-
proof. You can lose text with WRITE,
but you have to work pretty hard—
and even then there's a way to
recover it from memory. You have to
know a fair amount about CP/M to
do that; we've been after Tony to
write a Save-It program. The problem
is that WRITE so seldom loses text— I
can recall every instance over the past
five years— and Tony prefers to fix the
bug rather than provide the crutch.

It does lack one feature many want:
there's no UNDO command. In prac-
tice I don't miss it; if you try to delete
more than a single line of text,
WRITE asks if you really mean it. I
have sometimes hit the "Delete To
End Of Line" key when I wanted the
"Delete Next Word" key (they're right
together on my Archive keyboard)
and thus lost a line of text, but that's
the worst that happens.

The WRITE philosophy is to keep
it simple and clean. If you want to get
complicated, you can go to a com-
mand mode and get complicated; but
Text continued on page 82

78 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 125 on inquiry card.

O-' J

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Text continued from page 78:
while you're writing and editing text,
I at least want things to happen fast,
with simple commands I can remem-
ber, and WRITE has been designed
that way.

The bottom line is that I can write
10,000 words, editing as I go; go back
and edit again; check spelling (with
Wayne Holder's The Word Plus);
print the text; and get it out the door
in one night. I can't imagine doing
that with any other editor.

The text formatting is quite good
enough for me, and there's a "print
to screen" feature that lets you see
precisely what you'll get, including
where the paper ends, before you
print.

WRITE is no good for mass mail-
ings and computer-generated letters.
Peachtext (Magic Wand) is about the
best I've seen for that. WRITE isn't
useful as a programming editor. It is
plenty good enough for letters, now
that Tony has added a "letterhead"
feature that causes it to skip down to
below the letterhead before it begins
to print (for first page only unless you
tell it different). Larry and I have writ-
ten movie scripts with WRITE, but
there are editors that know the com-
plex indentation scheme scriptwriters
use; with WRITE you have to figure
out most of that for yourself. 1
wouldn't recommend WRITE for
scriptwriters or programmers; other
creative writers may find it the best
thing since microcomputers.

WRITE is available for a variety of
machines, including Kaypro, Otrona
(I expect the keyboard-configuration
program I use will be included if you
get an Otrona version), Televideo ter-
minals, Lear Siegler terminals, and a
whole bunch of others. It knows how
to use most standard printers.

WRITE is marketed by Workman
and Associates. It will also be avail-
able when you purchase new Com-
pupro machines; those with older
Compupro equipment will have to
buy WRITE from Workman. I ob-
viously recommend it.

Siemens Drives

When Tony built Ezekial way back
in the dark ages of 1976, we used
iCOM disk drives. Single-sided
single-density, 241K bytes per drive,

82 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 258 on inquiry card.

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BYTE December 1983

83

they cost over $2000 for the pair.

Things sure change. A recent BYTE
has a number of ads for two Siemens
8-inch single-sided double-density
drives, with power supply and
cabinet, for less than $700.

I have no personal experience with
these Siemens drives, but Barry
Workman used them for Ralph, his
Lobo Max-80, and has had no prob-
lems after six months of hard use.

I previously mentioned these
drives, and we've had a number of
letters asking how to configure the
drives properly. I asked Barry to write
up how he does it. The following is
a paraphrase of his reply.

First, the Siemens FDD 100-8 drives
have to be configured. Drive A is 0,
and drive B is 1. This is done with
"U" jumpers on the PC board on the
drive. Put the jumper on the selected
pin, and be sure it's securely fastened
to both pins. These things aren't too
strong, and can easily be bent. If you
have a wire-wrapping tool, use that.
If you get "Select Error," your jumper
may not be making proper contact.

Check the PC board carefully.
There is another jumper on some of
these drives that designates them as
hard-sector drives. This will not be on
all drives, only some of them. If the
selector is hard-wired, it will be hard-
wired for soft-sectored disks. If it has
the jumper, it will probably be set for
hard sector. Make certain the sector-
ing is what you want. If you don't
know what this means, you probably
want soft sectoring; almost everyone
does.

There is a terminating resistor on the
board. It looks like a blue integrated-
circuit chip (the only blue one on the
whole board). Remove the terminat-
ing resistor from one of the boards;
leave it in place on the other. It's
usual to leave the resistor in place on
drive 1 (B), or the last one in the line
if you have more than two.

Now mount the drives in the
cabinet and plug in the power cables.
Turn on the power. Both drive
motors and the cooling fan should
come on. If not, check the power-
supply fuses, then your connections.
Do not -work on any component when the
power is on.

The FDD 100-8 uses a 50-pin edge-

card connector. The #1 pin is closest
to the slot cut into the connector
board. The ribbon cable's #1 pin is
closest to the stripe on the cable, if
you have a standard cable.

Use the data cable to connect the
drives to the computer, and turn on
the drives, but do not turn on the
computer. Take a blank disk and in-
sert it into drive A, and close the
door. The red LED should not go on.
Do the same thing with the B drive.

If the red LED on the disk drive is
on, it means the data cable is con-
nected upside down. This is a lot
easier to do than you'd think. Con-
necting the cable upside down can be
fatal to disks if the computer is try-
ing to read.

Now that you have the cable con-
nected properly, turn on the com-
puter, insert the system disk, and
make a copy of your system master.

Troubles

Barry Workman goes on to say, "If
you have been running for some
time, and you begin to get bad sec-
tor error messages, open up the
cabinet and see if the stepper motor
is catching on anything. I had one
drive that started to do this with
greater regularity than Ex-Lax. What
was happening was that the stop was
hanging the head at about track 1 or
2, and the computer was trying to
find track 0 information there.
"If the drives are still under warran-
ty, don't muck with them, take 'em
back. If you have to work on them
yourself, look for burrs on the worm
gear. Also look to see if the lubricant
has got sticky.

"The FDD 100-8s are sound drives,
and I'm not afraid to recommend
them to anyone trying to get a system
running at low cost. Because of their
low cost, don't buy two drives, buy
three. If you have problems with one,
you can swap out while you have
repairs made. Anyone who can
repair Shugart drives ought to be able
to work on Siemens."

Barry has put together a two-page
tattle sheet about Siemens drives, in-
cluding tips on maintenance. He also
includes a diagram showing the loca-
tion of the critical jumpers. This is
available for $1, and he'd appreciate

a stamped, self-addressed envelope
since it costs more than a dollar in
employee time to put these out. The
above was cribbed from his tip sheet.

And Again the Epson

After my evaluation of the Epson
QX-10 with Rising Star's Valdocs soft-
ware appeared in the August BYTE,
I received a letter from Steve Irving,
Software Development Manager for
Epson America. After some conver-
sation, he sent out the standard Ep-
son keyboard and CP/M software
package.

That works a lot better, but, alas,
my beta-test QX-10 had trouble with
the B: drive. It seems to be an inter-
mittent hardware problem. Diagnosis
was complicated by CP + , which Ep-
son puts onto the standard CP/M
master it furnishes. When you boot
up, you get CP+ whether you like it
or not.

CP+ is a shell around CP/M. It's
supposed to protect you from the
horrors of having to learn PIP A: = B:
and the like. Steve Irving says it's in-
tended to allow naive users to have
an instantly rewarding experience;
they can turn on the machine and do
something useful. To quote Steve,
"Whatever phobia can be ascribed to
turning on your first computer and
staring "A>" in the face, I experi-
enced several years ago. Consequent-
ly I wanted to find a way for Epson's
first-time users to avoid this shock."

CP+ is menu-driven, and certain-
ly is easier to use than CP/M if you've
never had much to do with com-
puters, but it's really slow, about as
slow as Valdocs. In fact, CP+ is guar-
anteed to drive experienced CP/M
users crazy. It's especially troubling
when you first get it, because it must
be "unlocked" through a fairly com-
plicated series of moves I wasn't
prepared to make. This is to prevent
users from accidentally erasing or
altering files. It also prevented me
from copying the system disk.

Given the intermittent hardware
problem, I almost went nuts trying to
make a copy of the master disk. PIP
* • *lr] (lrl causes PIP to copy "hid-
den" system files as well as visible
directory files) worked just fine, but
Epson hadn't provided SYSGEN, so

84 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

GenTech

HOLIDAY
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LOTUS 123 SCall

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CABLES FOR ANY HARDWARES

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Microsoft Premium pack $449

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OTRONA ATTACHE $2595

BASIS 108 128K CP/M 3.0 $1999

PROWRITER I $369

PROWRITERII $659

EPSON FX-100 $725

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RANA 1000 (FOR ATARI) $309

BUFFERED GRAPPLER

16K $179

32K $199

64K $239

MULTIPLAN IBM, Apple ll/lle $169

IBM PC DSDD Drive

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FOURTH DIMENSION $275

LOGO

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ACE 1200 (128K, Dual Processor,
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64K w/Serial & Clock/Cal $279

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Serial $39, Parallel $39, Game $39

QUADRAM

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64K $269

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512+ EXPANSION BOARD

Quad 512+(64K) $219

Quad 512+ 25BK) $399

Quad 512+J512K) 5639

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MICROFAZER

P/P (Parallel/Parallel)

8K $125, 64K $199, 12BK $309

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S/P, P/S, S/S

8K $145, 16K $165, 32K $195, 64K $229

9V Power Supply $16.99

HARD DISK

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COMRITER I (P or S) $799

COMRITER II Parallel $479

COMRITER II Ser (5K) $509

DAISYWRITER

2000 EXP (48K BUFFER) $1019

JUKI (18 CPS 15") $525

NEC SPINWRITER SCall

QUME SPRINT 11/40 $1345

SILVER REED

EXP 550P . . $639 EXP 550S . . .$679
EXP 500P . . $439 EXP 500S . . . $469
TRANSTAR T315, T120, T130 & T140 . SCall

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TAXAN

RGB VISION I $275

WITH APPLE II+ CABLE & INTERFACE S345

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RGB VISION III $519

KG 12N (12" green) §125

KG 12N-UY (12" amber) $135

USI PI-1 (9" green) $79

EPSON

RX-80 $299

MX-BOF/TIII $419

MX-100 $599

FX-BO $535

STAR MICRONICS

GEMINI 10X $299

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MICROLINE 92 $449

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MICROLINE 84 P $979

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ANY THREE

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PEATREE G/L A/R A/P l/C

PAYROLL

$389
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$499 I

Circle 198 on inquiry card.

I couldn't make a new master that
way. (It turns out SYSGEN is buried
in the Epson Copydisk utility
program.)

You can, with work, get past CP +
to regular CP/M. I'm also told that in
the "demo" or "locked" mode "the
new user is led through a complete
tutorial of CP + , which includes a
rather painless introduction to the
operating system." After that CP+ is
unlocked.

I haven't tried that yet, because I
don't have Using CP/M-80 with the
QX-10. This is normally supplied, but
somehow got left out of the package
sent to me. Once I have that, and
stable hardware, I'll have John Can-
ny the CP+ tutorial.

Irving says, "I hope you will agree
that among the options of requiring
the novice user to install the auto
boot feature to get to CP+ or requir-
ing the experienced user to disable it,
the latter is preferred."

I do agree with that; but I'd like it
even better if Epson included an ad-
ditional disk, plainly marked "Stan-
dard CP/M; not for the novice user."

That disk could have standard COPY,
and PIP, and SYSGEN, and
MOVCPM and DDT and ED and
STAT and all the other stuff CP/M
users have come to expect. It could
also have the source code to the Ep-
son BIOS (basic input/output sys-
tem). It wouldn't cost much to pro-
vide, and it sure would make it easier
for people who know CP/M.

I think Epson got so involved with
making the QX-10 user-friendly to in-
experienced people that it compro-
mised the machine's ultimate useful-
ness. This is a pity, because it's such
a nice machine. There are some ex-
cellent features to Epson CP/M. The
operating system catches many
BDOS (basic disk operating system)
errors and deals with them. For ex-
ample, my hardware problem mani-
fests itself with a "Select Error,"
meaning that the hardware some-
times signals that the disk-drive door
isn't closed when in fact it is. Epson
sends the message "Drive Not
Ready," and gives the opportunity to
retry. A couple of retries fixes the
problem. This sure beats heck out of

some systems that can't recover from
any error. (Epson is taking care of my
hardware problem, too. 1 had a very
early beta-test machine; it's swapping
for a later production model.)

In any event, the little machine is
as fast as any 5 Vi -inch-drive machine
I've seen. It also has a type-ahead
buffer; if you get angry and hit
Control-C 10 times, be prepared to
see it execute 10 warm boots! This is
a feature that takes getting used to.
(It can also be disabled.)

Some impressions: first, the Epson
standard keyboard isn't laid out the
way I like keyboards. The ":" is
lowercase, quotation marks are
capital numbers, and in fact it's a
Teletype keyboard. This seems odd,
since the people who like this as op-
posed to a Selectric layout tend to be
hackers— but the QX-10 is most as-
suredly not intended for hackers, else
Epson would hardly have put the
CP+ shell around CP/M!

The QX-10 has a completely recon-

figurable keyboard, though, and 1

suppose the key tops are standard so

that you could, with some effort, set

Text continued on paae 91

polish V

our

WordStar »^

MagicPrint

MagicBind

MagicPrint makes CP/.M-based word
processors more powerful with over
60 functions, including1:

* Type-set quality printouts

in true proportional spacing

* Text screening with page break
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* Flexible page heading/footing

* Footnoting; column printing

* Kerning (ffl, ce); micro-centering

MagicBind has all the functions of
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* File merging with record selection

* Automatic numbering of chapters,
paragraphs and articles

* Printing personalized form letters,
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* Generating customized wills, con-
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* Automatic data file verification

MagicPrint has added major enhancements since reviews in Creative
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or footnoting is created equal. Our software produces image-making
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Requires 48K RAM minimum, CP/M^-based text editing program, and a

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Watch for our forthcoming Magiclndex.™ MagicLink/" MagicEditor"
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Price: MagicPrint S195; MagicBind $250; Magiclndex $150. NT residents
Add sales tax. MC/VISA accepted (specify expir. date).
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For further information, ask vour local dealer, or contact:
Computer EdiType Systems, "509 Cathedral Pkwy 10A, NY, NY 10025
(212) 222-8148 OEM/dealer inquiries invited.

How can your microcomputer talk

to an IBM mainframe?

CLEO.

The com Rations I
features of tfll CLEO- M ^ i

3270 Software packag#l
allows your microproces-
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The CLEO software provides the cluster emulation and
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If your IBM mainframe doesn't support remote 3270
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CLEO-3780 Software is your answer.

For full details contact Phone 1, Inc.. 461 North
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CLECM=

86 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 483 on inquiry card.

Circle 345 on inquiry card.

Compatible

IBMPC

Compatible

Compatible

• CROMEMCO •

Introducing the C-10MP Package. This new sys-
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CS-1 with Z-80A, 64KZ, 2DS/DD 5 'At Drives 3389
CS-1 with DPU, 256KZ, 2DS/DD 5 V* Drives 4239
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Cromex $499 CDOS $79

• EAGLE PC •

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• MORROW DESIGNS •

Micro Decision w/terminal & software

MD2 — 2 drives Call

MD3 — 2 DD drives Call

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• ZENITH Z 100 •

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• PRINTERS •

RX80
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399°°
. .Call

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Call

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82A

83A

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92

93

499
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• TERMINALS •

Televideo Esprite Systems

$499 Esprit 499

61 9 Esprit II 549

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910

914

924

925 749 Esprit III (color) . . .Call

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970

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595

999

Zenith Z-29 $699 ZT-10 $429 ZT11 $499

• IBM-PC BOARDS •

Amdek MAI Graphics Board $499.00

AST Research I/O Plus $1 39.00

AST Research 3270 Bisync Emulator Call

Baby BlueCP/M Board 499.00

CCS 1 32 Column Super Vision Board Call

Plantronics Color Plus Board 419.00

Quadram Quadboard 64K 285.00

Quadram Quadlink Board 549.00

64K RAM Chip kits 79.00

We also carry Microsoft, Tecmar, and Vista
boards for the IBM-PC.

• S-100 BOARDS •

Advanced Digital Super 6/6mhz Board .$759.00

Advanced Digital CP/M 3.0 350.00

CompuProCPU-Z6mhz2-80 249.00

CompuPro CPU-8085/88 359.00

We also carry S-100 boards from California
Computers Systems, Dual Systems, Memory
Merchants, North Star, Scion, Systems Group
and many more.

• DISC DRIVES •

Rana Elite I w/controller (Apple II) $359.00

Rana Elite II w/controller (Apple II) 529.00

Rana Elite III w/controller (Apple II) 649.00

Rana 1000 (for Atari) 359.00

TandonTMl 00-2 Drives Call

Tandon TM-55-2 1/2 Height Drives Call

Shugart 8" SS Drives 350.00

Shugart 8" DS Drives 450.00

Corvus 6MB Hard Disc 1869.00

Corvus Mirror Back-up 639.00

• MODEMS •

D.C. Hayes
Smartmodem 300 .Call
Smartmodem

1200 529.00

Smartmodem

1200B 499.00

Signalman Mk II .79.00
U.S. Robotics
Password 359.00

Amdek

300G 139

300A 159

Color 1 299

Color II 449

Color III 385

Zenith

12312in.Gr 118

12212in. Amber ..145
131Med.Res.RGB319
135 High Res. RGB 549

MONITORS •

BMC
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Novation

D-Cat 155.00

J-Cat 110.00

Apple Cat II.... 279.00
103Smartcat ..199.00
212Smartcat ..429.00
212Autocat Call

NEC
JC-1203DH

High Res. Color. . .Call
JB-123IM Green ..115

We also carry monitors from Panasonic, Princ-
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MasterCard and Visa Accepted

943 W. Genesee St. Box 2991 Syracuse, N.Y; 13220

Separate specialized sales staff for
personal computer products

ersonal
omputcr

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P.O. Box3126
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(315)478-6800

Circle 302 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

UndoWindows*

New Microsoft Word. It makes your IBM
Personal Computer think its better than a $10,000
word processor

With Microsoft Word, what you see on the screen is
what you get on the paper So its easy to spot mistakes.
Boldface, underline, and italics look like this,
not this: A Bboldface A B, A Sunderline A S, A Iitalics A L

And, when you make changes, paragraphs are
automatically reformatted. Flush right, flush left,
centered or justified. It even gives you several columns
on a page, like a newspaper.

Word forgives and doesn't forget

There's an "uhoh" command called Undo. Make
a mistake? Or just want to experiment? Hit Undo.

Microsoft is a registered trademark and

MS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Mouse* Finally*

Word undoes your last change and remembers things
the way they were.

Word does windows. Up to eight, to be exact.
So you can transfer or edit between eight different
documents. Or between eight different pieces of
the same document.

Word travels fast

Word has a Mouse, a handy little critter that lets
you move copy, select commands and edit faster

than you can say "cheese."

^ Wj^^^^^^^^Word also lets you create

x^ ^^^^Bjj^^^y°ur own styk ^ets, so

■P^^you can standardize your documents,

memos, files and letters.

Its not surprising that Microsoft has a way with
Word. We designed the MS™ DOS operating system that
tells the IBM® PC how to think. And we pioneered
the first microcomputer BASIC, the language spoken
by nine out of ten micros worldwide.

For a few final words, call 1-800-426-9400
(in Washington State call 206-828-8088) for a free
Word brochure and the name MICROSOFT
of your nearest Microsoft dealer. The High Perfo^ance software @

Introducing Panasonic Dot Matrix Printers. The high quality persona
and small business computer printers that truly live up to your
expectations.

They combine correspondence-quality performance, compatibility
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The 132-column KX-P1160 prints at 196 cps Elite, 165 cps Pica
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with a high resolution 16-pin head, and single-sheet front feed option

Our 80-column version is the compact KX-P1090 - prints at 96 cps
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See your local Panasonic Peripherals Dealer today. Or call the
nearest Panasonic Information Systems sales office: Secaucus,
NJ - (201) 348-5337; Chicago, IL - (312) 981-4824; Dallas, TX-
(214) 258-6400; Cypress, CA- (714) 895-7413; Atlanta, GA
(404) 923-9700.

Panasonic Matrix Printers.
The name promises quality.
The performance delivers it.

Circle 494 on inquiry card.
SEE US AT COMDEX SHOW BOOTH #4321

Text continued from page 86:
the keyboard up the way you'd like
it. It might even be worth the trou-
ble. The Epson is really a nice little
machine, and with that wonderful
memory-mapped video screen you
can get really great graphics, half-
tones, and such like. I really like the
Epson's display and character set,
and it's all very readable (if you like
a green screen). Incidentally, the
standard CP/M (without Valdocs) Ep-
son emulates a Televideo 920 ter-
minal. However, the company in-
tends in the future to have an Epson
QX-10 terminal type, "which will take
full advantage of all the available keys
and display attributes."

Meanwhile, all the applications
software I've seen for the Epson
tends to be Peachtree, and therein lies
a problem. The Peachtext editor I
have presumes that you're going to
use the HASCI keyboard that usual-
ly comes with the Valdocs option;
there's even a little paper template
you can put over the HASCI function
keys to show what their functions are
in Peachtext.

HASCI is the name Rising Star's
Chris Rutkowski has given to his
special-design keyboard. The HASCI
keyboard looks a lot like a Selectric,
and it's really well designed, but it
lacks some significant keys. No
Escape key, for example. Also, the
Control key is set down below the
space bar; good enough for word
processing since the Valdocs software
intended to be used with the HASCI
keyboard seldom uses control char-
acters, but horrible if you intend to
do any programming on your Epson
QX-Kl

Peachtext, incidentally, is the word
processor once known as Magic
Wand. It's a perfectly adequate text
editor, although for reasons I've given
in other columns it will never be my
favorite.

While in Peachtext you can type as
fast as you like, and you won't get
ahead of the computer's ability to put
the letters you typed onto the screen.
Under Valdocs you can get from a
couple of words to a whole sentence
ahead of the screen display! This con-
clusively proves that the delay is in
the Valdocs software, not in the QX-10
hardware.

My impression of the QX-10 is that
it's a fine little machine. It would be
a lot more useful, though, if instead
of being so concerned for user friend-
liness when you first get it, Epson
would worry more about utility after
you've got it. A disk with standard
CP/M would help. Adding a few gen-
eral utilities, like a sorted directory
with file sizes and the like, would
help even more. (Barry Workman has
already put his various utilities into
Epson disk format, so these features
are available if you want them.)

Agreed, there's a lot to be said for
a shell around CP/M to help people
get past the first few days. You pay
a pretty hefty price in operation
speed, but perhaps it's worth it— at
first. However, most users will soon
prefer to learn how to do things
faster; there's nothing more boring
than sitting at a computer whose
screen say "Please Wait" for half a
minute.

Meanwhile: I've just received a new
revision of the Valdocs software. Ris-
ing Star swears it fixes most of the

Wki

(#***

*&

<*n<

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If you are serious about dBASE II,™
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DBPlus™ is designed to free you
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most cases all you have to do is
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SORT

DBPlus™ can sort a data file up to
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A copy of any dBASE H™data file,
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The compressed file will save
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Making backup copies of large
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TRANSFORM

You can now modify the structure
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dBPlus™ can also create a new
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Now retailing for $125.
Manual and demo available.
Call for a dealer near you.

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Dealer and distributor inquiries invited!

dBASE II is a registered trademark of AshtonTate, Inc.

WordStar/MailMergc is a registered trademark of MicroPro. Inc.

DBPlus is a registered trademark of HumanSoft

Circle 218 on inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

91

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Circle 372 on inquiry card.

bugs, and speeds things up some-
thing wonderful. I'll try it as soon as
I'm sure the hardware is working.

I also got a new, and excellent,
manual for the FX-81 printer.

My bottom-line advice on the Ep-
son is that if you're planning on get-
ting a computer in its price range, do
look at the Epson. You might like it
a lot.

However, insist on a thorough
demonstration. Make them copy
disks, copy files, format stuff, run the
text editor, and in general do all the
things you're buying a computer for.
Then look at something else, and see
how long it takes. It's awful easy to
say you'd rather have ease of use than
speed, but most people find they're
not willing to make that trade forever.

Kazango!

Everyone is coming up with power-
ful new machines. Bill Godbout has
prototype S-100 computers based on
the iAPX286 chip, 68000-based sys-
tems multiply, and everywhere you
look the speed and capability of
microcomputers soar almost without
limit. I'm getting afraid to make
predictions: sometimes things I
predict for two years hence happen
before my words get into print!

Example: this afternoon I had a call
from Richard Mateosian, author of
the excellent Sybex book Inside Basic
Games (reviewed in the April 1983 col-
umn). Mateosian has access to an ex-
perimental microcomputer based on
the 16032 chip. He reports using my
matrix filler and multiplier bench-
mark: for the 20 by 20 case the time
was well under a second, so fast that
it's not really possible to measure it.
I asked him to try the 100 by 100 and
time that. Meanwhile, that's fast.

Shirley and Some
Prognostications

I've known for more than a year
about Bill Godbout's new multiuser
all-in-one computer. It had a code
name of "Shirley," and Compupro is
having trouble finding a real name
for it; all the ones come up with so
far sound hokey. Doubtless it will
end up being something official and
stuffy, and I'll prefer Shirley.

Flash: the announcement is out;

MVP-FORTH

Stable - Transportable - Public Domain - Tools

You need two primary features in a software development package a
stable operating system and the ability to move programs easily and
quickly to a variety of computers. MVP-FORTH gives you both these
features and many extras. This public domain product includes an editor,
FORTH assembler, tools, utilities and the vocabulary for the best selling
book "Starting FORTH". The Programmer's Kit provides a complete
FORTH for a number of computers. Other MVP-FORTH products will
simplify the development ol your applications.

MVP Books - A Series

D Volume 1, All about FORTH by Haydon. MVP-FORTH

glossary with cross references to fig-FORTH, Starting FORTH

and FORTH-79 Standard. 2nd Ed. $25

D Volume 2, MVP-FORTH Assembly Source Code. Includes

CP/M® , IBM-PC® , and APPLE® listing for kernel $20

,£t* □ Volume 3, Floating Point Glossary by Springer $1 0

£*> Q Volume 4, Expert System with source code by Park $25

£jt D Volume 5, File Management System with interrupt security by
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MVP-FORTH Software - A Transportable FORTH

□ MVP-FORTH Programmer's Kit including disk, documen-
tation, Volumes 1 & 2 of MVP-FORTH Series (All About
FORTH, 2na Ed. & Assembly Source Code), and Starting
FORTH. Specify □ CP/M, □ CP/M 86, □ CP/M + , D APPLE,

□ IBM PC, □ MS-DOS, D Osborne, □ Kaypro, □ H89/Z89,

□ Z100, D TI-PC, D MicroDecisions, □ Northstar,
D Compupro, □ Cromenco $1 50

THE FORTH SOURCE

TM

□ MVP-FORTH Cross Compiler for CP/M Programmer's Kit.
Can also generate headerless code for ROM or target

CPU $300

□ MVP-FORTH Meta Compiler for CP/M Programmer's kit. Use
for applicatons on CP/M based computer. Includes public
domain source $1 50

□ MVP-FORTH Fast Floating Point Includes 951 1 math chip on
board with disks, documentation and enhanced virtual
MVP-FORTH for Apple II and lie. $450

□ MVP-FORTH Programming Aids for CP/M, IBM or APPLE
Programmer's Kit. Extremely useful tool for decompiling,
callfinding, and translating. $150

□ MVP-FORTH by ECS for IBM-PC or ATARI® . Standalone with
screen editor. License required. $100

□ MVP-FORTH by ECS for IBM-PC or ATARI. With color
animation, multitasking sound, utilities, and license. $175

□ MVP-FORTH Professional Application Development System
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with complete documentation. Complete system $400

.£»* □ MVP-FORTH Expert System for development of knowledge-
based programs for Apple, IBM, or CP/M. $80

£$ D MVP-FORTH File Management System (FMS) with interrupt

security for IBM, Victor 9000, or CP/M $200

FORTH DISKS

FORTH with editor, assembler, and manual.

FORTH MANUALS, GUIDES & DOCUMENTS

D APPLE by MM
□ APPLE by Kuntze
D ATARI® valFORTH
D CP/M® by MM
D HP-85 by Lange
£»l □ HP-75 by Cassady

$100
$90
$60

$100
$90

$150

$100

□ NOVA by CCI 8" DS/DD$150
D ZB0 by LM $50

□ 8086/88 by LM $1 00

□ VIC FORTH by HES, VIC20
cartridge $50

□ C64 by HES Commodore 64

D IBM-PC® by LM

Enhanced FORTH with:
S-Stand Alone, M-Math
Extras, 79-FORTH-79.

3 APPLE by MM,
F, G, & 79

D ATARI by PNS, F,G, 8

□ CP/M by MM, F & 79
D Apple, GraFORTH by I $75
D Multi-Tasking FORTH by SL,

CP/M, X& 79 $395

□ TRS-80/1 or III by MMS

F, X, & 79 $1 30

s* □ Timex by FD, tape G,X.

&79 $45

.^cartridge

$60

ALL ABOUT FORTH by

Haydon. See above. $25

FORTH Encyclopedia by

Derick & Baker.
Programmer's manual to fig-
FORTH with FORTH-79
references. Flow charted, 2nd
Ed. $25

F-Floating Point, G-Graphics, T-Tutorial,
Chip Support, MT-Multi-Tasking, X-Other

*0

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X. $90

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IBM, Z80, or 8086

□ Software Floating
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□ 8087 Support

(IBM-PC or 8086) $100

□ 9511 Support
(Z80 or 8086) $1 00

□ Color Graphics
(IBM-PC) $100

□ Data Base
Management $200

Requires LM FORTH disk.

<$ D Victor 9000 by DE.G.X $150

D fig-FORTH Programming Aids for decompiling, callfinding,

and translating. CP/M, IBM-PC, Z80, or Apple $150

CROSS COMPILERS Allow extending, modifying and compiling for
speed and memory savings, can also produce ROMable code. 'Requires
FORTH disk.

□ CP/M $300

□ 8086* $300

□ Northstar® $300
FORTH COMPUTER

D Jupiter Ace

□ 16K RAM Pack

□ 48K RAM Pack
Key to vendors:

CCI Capstone Computing Inc.

DE Dai-E Systems

FD Forth Dimension

I Insoft

LM Laboratory Microsystems

□ IBM'

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□ Apple I

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Reymann $3

FORTH Fundamentals, Vol

I by McCabe $1 6
FORTH Fundamentals, Vol

II by McCabe $13 □
Beginning FORTH by
Chirlian $17 □
FORTH Encyclopedia
Pocket Guide $7
And So FORTH by Huang. A
college level text. $25 .^
FORTH Programming by
Scanlon $17
FORTH on the ATARI by E.
Floegel $8
Starting FORTH by Brodie
Best instructional manual
available, (soft cover) $18
Starting FORTH (hard
cover) $23

68000 fig-Forth with
assembler

$25

□ 1 980 FORML Proc. $25

□ 1981 FORML Proc 2 Vol $40

□ 1982 FORML Proc. $25

□ 1981 Rochester FORTH
Proc. $25

□ 1982 Rochester FORTH
Proc. $25

*D 1983 Rochester FORTH
Proc. $25

□ A FORTH Primer $25

□ Threaded Interpretive
Languages $23

D METAFORTH by

Cassady $30

Systems Guide to fig-
FORTH $25

□ Invitation to FORTH $20

□ PDP-11 User Man. $20

□ FORTH-83 Standard $1 5

□ FORTH-79 Standard $15
LJ FORTH-79 Standard

Conversion $10

□ Tiny Pascal fig-FORTH $10

□ NOVA fig-FORTH by CCI
Source Listing $15

□ NOVA by CCI User's Manual
includes editor assembler,
and utilities $25
Jupiter ACE Manual by
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D

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Q Installation Manual for fig-FORTH,

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MM MicroMotion

MMS Miller Microcomputer Services
NS Nautilus Systems
PNS Pink Noise Studio
SL Shaw Labs

Ordering Information: Check. Money Order (payable to MOUNTAIN VIEW PRESS,
INC.). VISA. MasterCard, American Express. COD's $5 extra. Minimum order $15.
No billing or unpaid PO's. California residents add sales tax. Shipping costs in US
included in price. Foreign orders, pay in US funds on US bank, include for handling

Source Listings of fig-FORTH, for specific CPU's and computers. The
Installation Manual is required for implementation. Each $15

□ 1802 □ 6502 D 6800 □ AlphaMicro

□ 8080 □ 8086/88 □ 9900 □ APPLE II

□ PACE □ 6809 □ NOVA D PDP-1 1/LSI-1 1

□ 68000 □ Eclipse □ VAX D Z80

and shipping by Air: $5 for each item under $25, $1 0 for each item between $25 and
$99 and $20 for each item over $1 00. All prices and products subject to change or
withdrawal without notice. Single system and/or single user license agreement
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MOUNTAIN VIEW PRESS, INC.

PO BOX 4656

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040

(415)961-4103

Circle 305 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

93

Now,

a professional

CAD

For
Apple JL

and lie

system

for

$1,095!

GRAPHICS

CHESSELL-ROBOCOM CORPORATION
125 Pheasant Run, Suite 2B
Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 968-4422

Finally, there is a breakthrough in com-
puter aided drafting and design that
makes this work-saving technology af-
fordable for every school, architect, en-
gineer, designer and draftsperson.
The new Robographics CAD-1 system
works with a standard off-the-shelf
Apple* TJ+ or lie computer. A complete
CAD-1 hardware and software package
sells for $1,095,
and you can add a
drafting plotter for
as little as $1,495!

Yet, this is a seri-
ous drafting and
design system
emulating other
CAD installations
costing over
$15,000.

CAD-1 utilizes a

unique handheld controller which

serves as both drawing instrument and

function selector ... «

there are no key-

stroke commands to interrupt the work-
flow. And, when the drawing is complet-
ed, line work of reproduction quality can
be plotted on paper, vellum or drafting film.

The easy-to-learn CAD-1 drafting pro-
cess is fast, efficient and highly
productive.

f

%

I i

n

94 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

To preview this gj
remarkable sys-
tem, send for a
free CAD-1 bro-
chure, or send
$17-for your ad-
vance copy of the
CAD-1 User Man-
ual. Credit will be
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Major credit cards accepted.

See your Apple dealer today for a dem-
onstration or contact us directly.

*A registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

Circle 66 on inquiry card.

Shirley is officially named the MP-10.
I see no reason to change the above
paragraph. . . .

Anyway we've now seen the pro-
totype. Shirley will be in a metal box.
Dr. Godbout prefers metal; it cuts
down on extraneous electrical noise
in the system. It's intended as a four-
user system, and will have both hard
and floppy disks, and will be the first
all-up machine Compupro has put
out; up to now it has stayed ex-
clusively with the S-100 bus.

The Shirley operating system will
be MP/M; when reporters asked God-
bout about PC-DOS, he sort of
chuckled, which is reasonable. There
are persistent rumors that Digital
Research will soon come out with a
multiuser version of Concurrent
CP/M that runs PC-DOS programs
directly (not as an emulation). I
suspect Shirley will have that feature.

Dr. Godbout sees a few more years
for the S-100 bus. The iAPX286 and
16032 machines will work with it.
The 8086 with the 8087 math chip will
challenge the 68000, and they can be
upgraded to the iAPX286. The 16032
with its highly advanced architecture
waits like a dark horse in the wings.

The problem with the 68000, ac-
cording to Bill Godbout, is that
there's no clear upward migration for
it. Of course 68000 enthusiasts— my
son is one of them— say there's no
need for upward migration for the
68000.

In any event, S-100-bus machines
that are truly IEEE-696 standard will
give the user a lot of flexibility, since
you can convert from Z80 to 8088 to
8086/8087 to iAPX286, and then
change the whole farshimelt mess to
a 68000 if that's what's needed. Of
course, eventually technology is go-
ing to run past all buses, because the
distances between the slots in the box
are just too long; but that won't hap-
pen for a while. Meanwhile, youfavd
Compupro S-100 machines in the
strangest places: all the special com-
puter displays in the model "War
Room" for the movie WarGames were
controlled by a Compupro, as an
example.

When Bill Godbout called me
yesterday, he had a complaint: it cer-
tainly used to be true that Compupro

Score another
first forAGE

A lot of people who've never
heard of ACE's impressive record
of firsts in multiprocessing are about
to sit up and take notice. Why?

It's our latest wonder: Multipro-
cessor CP/M Plus*

ACE has developed a linkup be-
tween its powerful multiuser micro-
computer, the Discovery, and the
fastest and most powerful version
of CP/M* ever marketed.

The result is a multiprocessor that
does more than just emulate CP/M
or rely on a lesser operating system
that's "CP/M compatible." It
actually delivers pure CP/M (either
CP/M-86* or CP/M Plus) to any of
Discovery's up to 16 on-line users.

With easy command line editing,
quick file accessing through user-
defined automatic search paths and
comprehensive "help menus," CP/M
Plus is as friendly as they come —
and with big performance extras.

Like large files, directory hashing,
data buffering, time and date
stamping, and an extensive utility
set that can accept English words.

All of which means that ACE's
linkup with CP/M Plus will
continue to give Discovery owners
access to the largest selection of
applications software in the world
for years to come.

That's something to think about.
Because who wants a multiuser
system that's friendly and powerful
today but unfriendly tomorrow
when new software using CP/M

Multiprocessor
CP/M Plus:

Plus features hits the scene?

Our latest triumph is just one of a
line of firsts.

ACE pioneered multiprocessing
for microcomputers back in 1979
when we introduced a Discovery
featuring what was then the
revolutionary concept of dedicating
a CPU to each on-line user.

Two years later, we moved
further ahead of the pack with our
next singular feat: the first user-
processor on a single board, the
dpc-180* Everything was there:
memory, CPU, serial I/O.

Nice.

Which made our 1982
breakthrough — the amazing 16-bit
dpc-186* mated with CP/M-86 —
seem like business-as-usual to us
even though it caught the
competition flat-footed.

With room to grow from 128K to
1MB of expansion memory, and
designed for systems also using our
8-bit board, this breakthrough let
individual users tap into either 8- or
16-bit computing power with one

central Discovery unit.

And because each Discovery
system is controlled by our own
dpc-os* tried and proven in more
than 10,000 Discovery and OEM
installations around the world, any
user on line can take advantage of
interprocessor communication, file
and record locking, fully managed
multiple printers, private direc-
tories, plus many other features.

So what little wonder does ACE
have up its sleeve now? Stay tuned.
Because soon you'll hear the news
about our Concurrent CP/M-86*
which will give the owners of our
Discovery all the benefits of 16-bit
computing power, CP/M's compre-
hensive software selection, and
efficient multi-tasking capabilities.
So each user can get several projects
underway with a few quick taps on
the keyboard.

Meanwhile, it'll be business as
usual for ACE, keeping ahead of the
crowd while turning out the best
multiuser multiprocessor micro on
the market, backed by one of the
best nationwide service networks
you could hope for.

So if you're a computer dealer,
distributor, or systems house who
wants to join the group that scores
high with a multitude of users, just
give us a call at (800) 821-6596.
(In California, it's (213)351-5451.)
And do us a small
favor. Tell us you've
heard of us.

See us at Comdex booth #1884.

ACTIQNCDMPIfTER

The Multiprocessing Company.

Action Computer Enterprise, Inc. (Corporate Headquarters): 430 No. Halstead St., Pasadena, CA 91107. TWX 910-588-1201 ACTION PSD / ACE/Europe: Boschdijk 189, Box 1275 5602 BG,
Eindhoven, Netherlands, Tel. 040-452658, Telex 51767 ACE E NL / ACE/ Asia, G/Floor l.ee Wah Mansion, 171-177 Hollywood Rd, Hong Kong, Tel. 5-441692 or 5-442310, Telex 75332 PACIC HX /
Canada: Future Electronics, Inc., 237 Hymus Blvd., Pt. Claire, Quebec H9R5C7, Canada, Tel. (514) 694-7710, Telex 05-823-554.

'CP/M Plus, CP/M. CP/M-86, and Concurrenl CP/M-86 are either trademarks or registered trademarks ol Digital Research, Inc. / 'dpc-180 and dpc-os are registered trademarks ol Action Computer Enterprise, Inc.
Circle 9 on inquiry card. BYTE December 1983 95

Items Reviewed

Disk Spare Parts Kit
Star Trek
WRITE

Workman and Associates
112 Marion Ave., Suite 7 A
Pasadena, CA 91106
(213) 796-4401

products $32.50
postpaid $19.50
in U.S. $239

Epson QX-10

Epson America
3415 Kashiwa St.
Torrance, CA 90505
(213) 539-9140

with 64K-byte RAM $2495
with 128K-byte RAM $2995

General Computer Supplies

California Digital
POB 3097B
Torrance, CA 90503
(800) 421-5041

Megabyte Memory Board

Macrotech International Corporation
20630 Lassen St.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(213) 700-1501

$2449

Modula-2

Logitech

165 University Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(415) 326-3885

$495

Modula-2

Volition Systems
POB 1236
Del Mar, CA 92014
(619) 481-2286

Apple $495
IBM and Sage $595

Vedit

Compuview Products Inc.
1955 Pauline Blvd., Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(313) 996-1299

$150

Zenith Z-100 Computer

Zenith Data Systems
1000 Milwaukee Ave.
Glenview, IL 60025
(312) 391-8865

$2899

machines were largely intended for
hackers and system developers, and
the company doesn't intend to let go
of its dominance in that end of the
micro field; but largely due to my
needling him, both privately and in
the column, about its lack of support
for naive users, Compupro went out
and hired the Xerox field service
organization to provide servicing

agreements for Compupro equip-
ment; every one of the Compupro
Systems Centers was required to
send at least one key employee
through an intensive sales training
course designed to show what's
wrong with the customer service in
the computer industry, and how to
correct it; and Compupro has been
doing more intensive training of its

systems service people. Finally, it
rewrote many of its documents.

"So I did everything you wanted.
When are you going to admit it?"

I'll reserve my opinion on just how
far he had his tongue rammed up his
cheek when he told me of my vast in-
fluence, but in fairness I do have to
report that it's all true. I wish all the
computer manufacturers would insist
that their salespeople know some-
thing about the product— including
its limitations.

Time Waster

A few issues ago I mentioned I'd
written the world's most complex
Star Trek game. I may have exag-
gerated. In any event, we've had
several inquiries about the game, so
I've turned it over to Barry Workman.
It's probably overpriced, but the
realities of the software mail-order
business prevent him from shipping
disks postpaid for less.

My Trek game is written in CB-80
and runs really fast. I've stuck in all
kinds of silly features, including ex-
ploration, enemy bases, enemy at-
tacks on Federation merchant ships,
enemy attacks on your star bases,
Tholian Webs, Romulan invisibility,
and such like. My kids like it, and I
confess that I've wasted a bit of time
with it myself. I'm too ashamed to
recommend it; I'll merely say it's
available.

By next time I surely will have my
IBM PC. I hope to have a report on
the PC vs. the Eagle, and also to
reduce that stack of unreviewed PC
software.

However, I know better than to
make promises. . . .■

Jerry Pournelle welcomes readers' com-
ments and opinions. Send a self-addressed,
stamped envelope to Jerry Pournelle, do
BYTE Publications, POB 372, Hancock,
NH 03449. Please put your address on the
letter as well as on the envelope. Due to
the high volume of letters, Jerry cannot
guarantee a personal reply.

Jerry Pournelle is a former aerospace engineer and
current science-fiction writer who loves to play with
computers.

96 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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•IBM is a trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation.

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-

y

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY
ON AWORKSTATION
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM.

As you conduct your search for the ideal data
acquisition system, we think you'll find a number of
capable systems, all from fine makers.

But we also think you'll find this: there is really
only one system likely to meet, and perhaps exceed,
your own personal standards for accuracy, flexibility,
performance and power. And do so for a bottom line
investment that is truly easy to justify.

That system is the Keithley DAS Series 500 for the
IBM PC and Apple II families of microcomputers.

To begin with, even a basic Series 500 configura-
tion, like the one shown in the chart, comes out of its
carton with enough power and capacity for most lab
and test bench applications. So you needn't trade up
to more expensive options to get basic capabilities.

And because the Series 500 is completely modular,
you can start out with just the capacity you need.
Then choose from our comprehensive library of plug-
in function cards to instantly reconfigure your system
for the most demanding applications -with up to
272 channels of discrete analog input, 50 channels of
analog output, 160 channels of digital I/O, and AC/DC
device control. With direct transducer connection
and signal conditioning for each individual channel.

It's also the only system equipped with Soft500,
the integrated measurement and control software
that proves once and for all that easy doesn't have to
mean simple.

Soft500 gives first time users the accessibility and
friendliness they need to get excellent results the first
time out. Yet it also provides experienced users with
the depth and extended facilities needed for complex
applications. Including unique features such as
foreground/background architecture, powerful screen
graphics and statistical analyses. Plus, automatic con-
version of binary data to familiar engineering units.

In all, you'll find the features you need to make the
Series 500 increasingly productive through years of
new and more demanding applications.

KcitMey

ISAAC
91A

$3950

ISAAC
2000

MACSYM

200

HP

3497A

System Base

$4300(1)

$4100

S3660

$2990

16 Channels

Yes

Yes

+ $850

+ $362(-'>

+ $2104(3)

Instrumentation Amplifier

Yes

+ $700

+ $700

Yes

Yes

±0.035%Absolute
System Accuracy

Yes

+ $1100(4)

+ $1100(4)

No

Ycsffl

30 kHz Sampling

Ycst«

No

Yes(7)

Yes

No

High Speed
Programablc Ranges

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

5 12-Bit Voltage Outputs

Yes

+ $187(8)

■1 $937i"

+ $937(9)

+ $2500(10)

16 Digital Inputs

Yes

Yes

+ $175(11)

+ $330

+ $530

16 Digital Outputs

Yes

Yes

+ $175(11)

+ $350

+ $710

4 120V AC Outputs

Yes

No

No

+ $638(12)

+ $265(13)

Programable Timers

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

+ $555

Realtime Clock

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Power Supply

Yes

+ $350

Yes

Yes

Yes

Data Acquisition BASIC

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Foreground/Background

Yes

No

Yes(14)

Yesd4)

No

Data Analysis

Yes

No

No

No

No

Realtime Graphing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Engineering Units

Yes

{4300

No
\J6287

No
$8037

No
$6277

No
$9654

1. System520. 2. I6channelsof$725 32 channel card. 3. $1640 A/Dcard plus 16channelsof $58020 channel
card. 4. ±0.003%accuracy(« 200 Hz. 5. ±0.006%accuracy{« 40 Hz. 6. Apple system 27 kHz, IBM
system 31.4 kHz. 7. 200 kHz option available +$3825. 8. 1 channel from $7504channcl card. 9. 5 channels
irom$7504channclcard. 10. 5channelsfrom$10002channelcard. 11. 16channelsof$35032channel
card. 12. Price based on 16 channel rack (a $550 plus 4 ACoutput relays ((' $22. 13. Four channels of $525
8channelcard. 14. Or other multi-tasking structure.

Naturally, we'd like to suggest the Series 500 as the
wisest choice in workstation data acquisition. But we
also believe that as you compare and examine the
facts, the Series 500 will eventually suggest itself.

For complete information on the Keithley DAS
Series 500 workstation data acquisition system, call
us toll-free at 1-800-552-1115. In Massachusetts call
(617) 423-7691. Or write to us at Keithley DAS,
349 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

SERIES 500

KEI HLEY

A |OINT VENTURE IN WORKSTATION DATA ACQUISITION

Information contained in the comparison chart is correct to the best of our knowledge as of October 1, 1983; however, Keithley DAS assumes no liability for its accuracy. IBM PC is a registered
trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Apple II is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. ISAAC is a registered trademark of Cyborg Corporation. MACSYM is a
registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc. HP is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard, Inc. © 1983 by Keithley DAS, Boston, Massachusetts

Circle 131 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

99

100 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Easy Software

It isn't easy to make software that's easy for people to use. People think
intuitively and symbolically, but computers don't think at all— they just
manipulate voltage levels that people can most accurately represent as wave
forms or strings of ones and zeros. Creative programmers and engineers
are trying different ways of translating long strings of ones and zeros into
symbols, expressions, and structures that people can manipulate easily.

This month BYTE offers a sampling of the efforts that programmers are
undertaking to make software easy. Integration of software comes under
discussion as well because it is inseparable from ease of use; giving separate
programs a common user interface is a major step toward integrating them.

The theme articles in this issue provide several different views of what
is now the most praised approach to user interface technology— the desktop
metaphor that lets users choose actions by pointing at pictorial symbols
on an imaginary desktop. In addition to an introduction to desktop-metaphor
software, we compare different kinds of pointing devices, discuss the con-
cept of metaphor in software, look at the future of metaphors, and preview
Microsoft Windows, a new desktop-metaphor system that seems to be the
first one capable of running without a hard disk and a lot of memory.

An implicitly skeptical view of the desktop metaphor emerges in Tom
Houston's suggestions of new metaphors that appeal to human instincts
far deeper than those associated with desks, file folders, and wastebaskets.

But the desktop metaphor is not the only approach to the user interface
that this issue addresses. Jack Carroll of IBM takes a broader look at the
evolution of the user interface in software. Bob Nicholson of Sydis considers
the role of voice in the user interface. Sam Edwards of Software Publishing,
publisher of PFS: File and other programs often praised for ease of use,
reveals some of the thought behind them. Martin Dean of Select Informa-
tion Systems looks beyond the easy-to-learn Select word processor to other
issues in the user interface, including aspects that relate to databases.

Different disciplines often borrow important ideas from one another. Paul
Heckel of Quickview Systems ventures into the world of Walt Disney car-
toons to bring back some lessons for applications programmers. Steve Van-
dor of Micropro explains an approach to the user interface that is based
on the concept of division of labor, as old as the industrial revolution.

Martin Herbach of Sorcim, Richard Katz of Osborne/McGraw-Hill, and Joe
Landau of Applied Software Technology join in a forum on the user inter-
face that ranges from the role of hardware advances to on-screen help in-
formation and the structuring of software in layers that hide everything from
the users except what they need. Michael Brown of Innovative Software
argues persuasively that the foundation of integrated software should be
a database.

Programming languages, too, need improvements in the user interface,
and Andy Pope, Dan Fineberg, and Geoff Kates of Microfocus describe one
way of making debugging a more visual process.

Perhaps the best assessment of the state of user-interface technology
today comes from Apple's Bill Atkinson, author of the unrivaled Quickdraw
graphics software that runs on Lisa. "What we know about the user inter-
face today," he says, "is 10 percent of what we will know in 1990." This
issue lets you examine some portion of that 10 percent and invites you to
speculate about the 90 percent still to be learned. —Phil Lemmons

1 03 An Introduction to Integrated Soft-
ware by Dash Chang

113 Presentation and Form in User-
Interface Architecture by John M.
Carroll

1 27 Why Is Software So Hard to Use? by

Sam Edwards

1 43 Walt Disney and User-Oriented Soft-
ware by Paul Heckel

1 55 Making Life Easier for Professional
and Novice Programmers by Andy
Pope, Geoff Kates, and Dan Fineberg

161 Simplify, Simplify, Simplify by Mar-
tin Dean

177 Integrating Voice in the Office World

by Robert T. Nicholson

1 89 The Starburst User Interface by

Steven Vandor

199 The Complete Information-
Management System by Michael J.
Brown

210 The Allegory of Software by Tom

Houston

218 The New Interface Technology by

Robert W. Warfield and George M.
White

234 Trackball-Interfacing Techniques for
Microprocessors by Edward W.
Andrews

247 The User Interface: Two Approaches

by Martin Herbach, Richard Katz,
and Joseph Landau

263 The Future of Metaphor in Man-
Computer Systems by Chuck
Clanton

Painting by Robert Tinney, photographs
courtesy of Microsoft

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

101

■ I

'Help arrives for users ofdBASE II."

BYTE

". . .it succeeds admirably."

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INFOWORLD

'The real thrill of using QUICKCODE... like magic, a complex
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"Thanks Fox & GellerU!"

CAII US AT (201) /94 8883

An Introduction to
Integrated Software

Concurrency, shared technology, and functional integration are
three ways of integrating software

You may remember 1983 as the year
of integrated software for microcom-
puters. We saw announcements of
the Lisa workstation from Apple,
1-2-3 from Lotus, Visi On from Visi-
corp, and Concurrent CP/M from
Digital Research. While the micro-
computer audience experiences some
confusion over what it all means, the
promise of these new products is
nothing short of exciting.

Before "integrated" becomes as
overused a label as "user-friendly,"
we should define our terms. Inte-
grated software means software that
has a high level of functionality and
is easy to use. Simply, integrated soft-
ware lets you accomplish complicated
tasks over a short period of time with
a minimum of interaction with the
computer.

Many computer users pose tasks
that defy easy computerization. The
following wish list is a case in point.
"I want to store all my inventory on
the computer so that I can look at my
stocking items on request. In addi-
tion, it would be useful if I could ex-
periment with the data and see the
bottom-line effect if I change my
stocking policy. I'd also like to see the
results graphically. If I had all of my
data on the computer, I could also
produce computerized quota-
tions. . . ."

Software integration promises a
method of making dreams such as

by Dash Chang

these come true with a minimum of
effort.

Software Technologies

Over the past few years, some soft-
ware packages have emerged that
enable customers to solve complex
problems with relative ease. Visicalc,
Visicorp's electronic spreadsheet,
started the revolution; with it, you
can ask "what if" questions and
calculate the results. Wordstar, a
word processor from Micropro Cor-
poration, works with computers to

Integrated software is

only the next step

toward making

microcomputers more

useful.

help generate letters and lengthy
documents.

Since then, new packages like
Chang Laboratories' Microplan,
Microsoft's Multiplan, and Visicorp's
Advanced Visicalc make those
originals appear rudimentary. Ex-
panded functions let you solve more
complicated problems with less ef-
fort, in both initial learning and con-
tinued use. As new packages offer
more enhancements, the number of
problems that you can successfully
tackle increases. Yet a total integrated
solution continues to evade software

designers. Word processors, finan-
cial-planning spreadsheets, data
managers, and graphics packages
will represent single solutions to
specific problems.

Integration

Software developers propose to in-
tegrate databases with worksheets,
graphics, and word processing, pro-
ducing a single set of products that
addresses a larger set of user needs.
Integrated software is the next step
toward making microcomputers
more useful.

Similar product names, such as the
Lisa (Apple Computer Inc.), Visi
(Visicorp), Plan (Chang Laborator-
ies), and Super (Sorcim Corporation)
families are only the beginning.
While a complete family of products
is a necessary step toward integra-
tion, it doesn't result in the total
package that software developers are
aiming at.

Another approach focuses on the
command interface. Products in this
category require similar keystrokes in
response to similar display screens.
Again, this is an important part of in-
tegrated software, but it is still far
from a complete implementation.

Generally, you can classify current
integration technology as including
one or all of the following: concurren-
cy, shared technology, and functional
integration.

i Circle 195 on inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

103

Concurrency

Concurrency lets different products
reside in the computer's memory at
the same time. You can load word-
processor and spreadsheet programs
into memory and switch instan-
taneously from one to the other with
a single keystroke. This spares you
the time-consuming process of sav-
ing the results from one product,
leaving the package, starting up
another package, and continuing
with the next step in the problem.
(Although, technically, concurrency
provides more benefits than just con-
current residence of programs in
memory, for now I'll discuss only the
memory aspect of concurrency.)

Lisa's Desktop Manager provides
one example of concurrency. The pro-
grams that handle documents and
worksheets are automatically loaded
in memory. When you need one of
the programs, you use a mouse to
move the screen cursor to the pro-
gram's symbol, and the software is
instantly available for use. Visi On
and Concurrent CP/M provide
similar options but differ from the

Lisa software in that they can be im-
plemented on different computers.
This makes it possible for you to
enhance the capabilities of a com-
puter you already own.

[Editor's note: Depending on the
amount of memory available, the Lisa
computer may have some or all of every

Concurrency means
that different products

reside in the

computer's memory at

the same time.

current task in memory. All Lisa pro-
grams are segmented so that portions can
be stored to disk or called into memory as
needed. A similar situation exists with
Visi On, which always has some code in
memory that relates to each task. Given
the above amplifications, we can say that
both Lisa and Visi On software are con-
current. . . . G. W.]

Another important distinction is
that these products are not applica-

tion programs but enhancements to
the computer's operating system;
they manage the hardware and pro-
vide a more friendly and responsive
computer environment for users. In
some ways, you can view these pro-
grams as part of the computer rather
than applications that address
specific user problems. As applica-
tion programs begin to fully use the
capabilities of concurrent operating
systems, you will find integrated
packages that are even easier to use
than existing products.

Shared Technology

The second class of integrated solu-
tions includes the shared-technology
products. A single such product han-
dles not only numbers but words and
pictures, all at the same time.

For example, Graphplan from
Chang Laboratories, 1-2-3 from Lotus,
and MBA from Context all combine
traditional spreadsheet technology
with graphics capabilities and some
database features such as sorting and
searching. These products let you
take a set of numbers and produce

D —

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104 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

_IAfUl

HBU CATALOG

ameco

NOW AVAILABLE...
1984 10th Anniversary Catalog!

Send $1.00 for postage & handling for immediate delivery of your FREE 1984 Catalog.

JAMECO ELECTRONICS • 1355 Shoreway Road • Belmont, CA 94002 • (41 5) 592-8097 or Telex 176043

,TM

Our new Optimizing = C86 C
Compiler controls
Charlie...

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our new Optimizing = C86 ™
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• Compile time switch to produce in-line 8087 code.
(We still provide our floating point package, too!)

• Significant performance increases for our I/O
library

• MS-DOS version 2.00 I/O library

• Many additional library functions

• Expanded manual with numerous examples

• Librarian for maintenance of MS/DOS libraries

• Optional assembly source output (It's not
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Pull Charlie's strings with our new Optimizing =
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Visa and MasterCard accepted.

C86 is a trademark of Computer Innovations, Inc. CPM-86 and MPM-86 are
trademarks of Digital Research. MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft. PC-DOS is a
trademark of International Business Machines.

graphic results as well as printed
tables.

The shared technology concept
isn't new. For example, most dedi-
cated word-processing computers
have always had the ability to handle
mathematics, very much like an elec-
tronic worksheet.

Expect more shared technology
products for microcomputers. Just as
combining mechanical and electronic
engineering produces breakthroughs
in robotics, combining technologies
in the processing of words, numbers,
voice, and graphics promises in-
novative software products.

Functional Integration

Finally, the third type of integration
provides functional results; the re-
sults of one product can be fed to
another product for further manipu-
lation.

Examples include spelling check-

Shared technology

means that a single

product handles not

only numbers but

words and pictures, all

at the same time.

ers, form-letter generators, and in-
tegrated accounting packages. The
purpose of a spelling checker is ob-
vious. In form-letter generation, you
might generate a mailing list using a
data-management package, then
create a skeleton letter using a word
processor, and, finally, produce a
stack of custom letters using a prod-
uct that merges the two parts.

In integrated accounting packages,
the orders module may change your
inventory and accounts-receivable
files. Then the accounts-receivable
and accounts-payable packages will
automatically create entries for the
general ledger.

Functional integration offers the
greatest challenge for application de-
signers—not only to provide a gen-
eralized interaction between database
management and electronic-work-
sheet technology, but also to handle
the interface between the world of

106 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 103 on inquiry card.

Introducing the Most Powerful
Business Software Ever!

TRS-80" (Model 1, II, III, or 16) • APPLE™* IBM™ • OSBORNE "• CP/M™* XEROX™

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or can be linked in any combination to form a complete, coordinated business system.

VERSARECEIVABLES™ $99.95

VersaReceivabi.ES™ is a complete menu-driven accounts receivable, invoicing, and
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owes you or your company money, and can provide automatic billing for past due ac-
counts. VERSA RECEIVABLES" prints all necessary statements, invoices, and summary
reports and can be linked with VERSALEDGER IP" and VERSAlNVENTORY™.

VERSAPAYABLES™ $99.95

VERSA PAYABLES- is designed to keep track of current and aged payables, keeping you
in touch with all information regarding how much money your company owes, and to
whom. VERSA PAYABLES™ maintains a complete record on each vendor, prints checks,
check registers, vouchers, transaction reports, aged payables reports, vendor reports,
and more. With Versa Payables™, you can even let your computer automatically select
which vouchers are to be paid.

VERSAPAYROLLt- $99.95

VERSA Payroll" is a powerful and sophisticated, out easy to use payroll system that
keeps track of all government -required payroll information. Complete employee records
are maintained, and all necessary payroll calculations are performed automatically, with
totals displayed on screen for operator approval, A payroll can be run totally, automati-
cally, or the operator can intervene to prevent a check from being printed, or to alter
information on it. If desired, totals may be posted to the VERSALEDGER IP" system.

VERSAlNVENTORY™ $99.95

VERSA Inventory™ is a complete inventory control system that gives you instant access
to data on any item. VERSAlNVENTORY™ keeps track of all information related to what
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• TRS-80 is a trademark of the Radio Shack Division of Tandy Corp. ■ *APPLE is a trademark of Apple Corp. • "IBM is a trademark of IBM Corp. - 'OSBORNE is a trademark of Osborne Corp.

•CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research - 'XEROX is a trademark of Xerox Corp.

data on mainframes and microcom-
puter application programs.

Although developers suggest that
shared-technology products will
make functionally integrated stand-
alone products obsolete, this result is
unlikely. The range of problems
needing computerization exceeds the
capabilities of any one system or
package. For example, you wouldn't
use 1-2-3 to write a book, MBA to
store your inventory records, or
either one to produce an integrated
slide show.

Choosing Hardware

Given the amount of integrated
software under development, how
should you choose hardware to take
advantage of its features? First, you
must determine your requirements.
Not every problem nor every com-
puter user needs integrated software.
If your problems do require a com-
plex solution, then prepare to pur-
chase a more expensive system be-
cause integrated software generally
requires more computer memory,
which quickly translates into more

dollars. For example, Lisa supplies 1
megabyte of memory storage, while
Visi On and Concurrent CP/M can
use up to 512K bytes of data. There-
fore, you should consider 16-bit com-
puters like the IBM PC, the DEC
Rainbow, the TI Professional, or the
Victor 9000. Eight-bit computers like
the Apple II and the Osborne 1 sim-
ply don't have the memory capacity
to handle the new integrated soft-
ware products.

Graphics are an important consid-
eration, too, because they display
symbols that make the computer
easier to use. Graphics also let you
use different character fonts that
make presentations more attractive
and bar and pie charts that give new
meaning to a collection of data.

If your system supports graphics,
you need a printer or a plotter that
can print the symbols displayed on
your screen. Most printers offer
graphics support as an added option,
and many include it as standard.

Finally, a pointing device like a
mouse may be useful. Some com-
puters let you execute commands by

HEROISM IN THE

MODERN AGE

THE ROLE-PLAYING GAME OF TODAY

© Copyright 1983 Pactflc Infotech Corp.

A sophisticated simulation of
modern life and human psychology.

Includes: BASIC MODULE —
create and guide characters
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PROJECT CONTACT (Scenario #1)
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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
IBM PC* with one double-sided or two single-
sided disk drives, an 80-column monitor,
and 64K RAM (96K for DOS 2.0).
Color graphics/adaptor optional.
'IBM PC is a trademark of
International Business Machines Corp.

Plans for an Integrated Product
Line

Chang Laboratories has been working on
a line of integrated business software that
is available on both 8- and 16-bit systems.
The products are functionally integrated;
that is, data can be shared among prod-
ucts. In addition, under operating systems
like Digital Research's Concurrent CP/M,
these programs can share data via a small
satellite program used to facilitate com-
munication. Three products, Profitplan,
Microplan, and Graphplan, allow various
levels of spreadsheet and graphing capa-
bilities. A consolidation module allows data
to be combined from various sources.
Memoplan is a word processor, Docuplan
is a sophisticated document formatter, and
Fileplan is a data entry and management
system. In particular, data from several
sources can be printed in a single report,
and information from a database can be
transferred to a spreadsheet.

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pointing to the items on the display
with your finger (touchscreen) or a
light pen. All these pointing devices
are similar in that they attempt to
make the software easier to use.

Because of their limitations, 8-bit
machines offer functionally inte-
grated programs only. Although soft-
ware for 8-bit computers may not
provide concurrency or shared tech-
nology, software developers continue
to increase the amount of functional
integration in their packages. You
may have to insert and remove disks
more often, but you will still get
products to "talk" to each other.

Further Integration

Software development produces
interesting products, but the work in
integration continually uncovers a
need for greater integration than
existing products supply. The new,
more powerful 16-bit microcomputers
open a Pandora's box of promises and
problems, but at least they move us
one step closer to solving those
dream computer tasks. ■

Dash Chang is president of Chang Laboratories
(5300 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 200, San Jose, CA
95129-1088). He has a B.S. in electrical engineer-
ing from MIT and an M.B.A. from Stanford
University.

108 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 498 on inquiry card.

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**p-System is available from Ticom, Inc.
Rainbow is a trademark of Digital Equipment
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1-2-3 and Lotus are trademarks of Lotus
Development Corporation.
dBase II is a trademark of Ashton-Tate.
TKISolver is a trademark of Software Arts, Inc.
Multiplan and MS-DOS are trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc.

© Digital Equipment Corporation 1983.

You can count on 3M diskettes. Day after day.

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Presentation and Form in
User-Interface Architecture

Architectural form and the interrelationship of software functions
suggest guidelines for developing user interfaces

Among the many trends in end-
user applications software, two seem
to contradict one another. On one
hand, software is getting more com-
plex: word processors a few years ago
were seen as a thrilling glimpse of the
future. But now they're being super-
seded by office workstations with
more powerful and diverse capabili-
ties such as the availability of alter-
nate fonts for text, voice annotation,
and high-quality graphics.

On the other hand, momentum is
gathering toward increased software
usability. Emphasis on ease of learn-
ing and use is directed at that recent-
ly discovered software component,
the user interface. Unfortunately,
these two trends can often be at
odds. If system capabilities were con-
stant, the quality of user interfaces
would certainly progress. For even
without a deeply principled under-
standing of human-computer interac-
tion, the problem of software com-
plexity versus ease of use could be at-
tacked on a case-by-case basis. But as
functional complexity increases, this
kind of approach is less feasible.

by John M. Carroll

The upshot of the conflict is that
people using end-user systems fre-
quently lose track of where they are
and what they are trying to do. They
can produce tangles of errors and ad
hoc recovery behaviors that no man-
ual (on-line or off) can anticipate or
analyze (see reference 5). This is not

As software becomes

more complex, people

frequently lose track of

where they are and

what they are trying

to do.

just an issue for novices, as more ex-
perienced users, perhaps over-
whelmed by available functions,
often have trouble exceeding a
mediocre performance level (see ref-
erence 10).

Presentation vs. Form

We will discuss here two directions
we can pursue to achieve quality in

the user interface. At the level of ar-
chitectural presentation we are con-
cerned with the specific nature of in-
terface elements— the objects and ac-
tions that make up the interface and
its concepts— often called "meta-
phors," which organize these primi-
tive elements. The presentation of the
function through interface elements
(icons, menus) can be addressed, I
believe, only on a case-by-case basis.

An example of a specific architec-
tural-presentation case is the contrast
between graphically conveyed inter-
face metaphors, as in the use of dis-
play icons for actions and objects,
and nongraphically conveyed inter-
face metaphors, as in the use of meta-
phoric vocabulary for these actions
and objects (e.g., mail, print, docu-
ment, file). Other examples include
the availability and nature of com-
mand-driven dialogue, of prompted
specifications and/or selections via
menus, and of status and error feed-
back.

A second direction we can pursue
concerns architectural form. The
focus here is on how system func-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

113

tions are interrelated in typical user
scenarios, but not specifically on how
each is represented to the user in the
interface. This formal organization in
the interface (or architectural form, as
we call it) can be addressed as a gen-
eral-level issue, unlike presentation.

One general-level issue of architec-
tural form, for example, is the contex-
tual dependence of various func-
tions. In an interface with high con-
textual dependence, the range of
available functions is fixed strictly by
the mode the user is in. The hierar-
chical access of functions, typical of
menu interfaces, is a common exam-
ple of contextual dependence (for ex-
ample, property sheets in the Star-
type interface; see reference 11). In an
interface with low contextual de-
pendence, any function can be ac-
cessed from any mode, in the same
manner and with the same effects.

The distinction between architec-
tural form and architectural presen-
tation has important implications for
the organization of research efforts on
user-interface issues and in particular
for the development of user-interface
guidelines. For example, I have found
that there are principles of architec-
tural form that can be broken down
into guidelines, but there are no such
principles of architectural presenta-
tion. I recognize that this claim will
be controversial and that my argu-
ments for it will be incomplete. My
purpose here, however, is to initiate
and focus controversy, not to settle it.

Consider the examples mentioned
earlier. It seems that the issue of con-
textual dependence can be simply
and generally resolved by following
this guideline: maximize contextual
dependence in a user interface to
facilitate interaction in typical user
scenarios. As far as I know, this op-
timally eases system learning and
use. The only trade-off is that atypical
user scenarios would require circum-
venting contextual dependence. (The
best we can ever do is the greatest
good for the greatest number.)

But now consider the question of
whether an interface metaphor
should be couched as a display icon
or as a labeled softkey. I don't think
there is or will be a general principle
to cover this case. In the balance of

this article, I will examine cases of ar-
chitectural form and presentation.

Architectural Form

Our research examined techniques
for "staging" the presentation of sys-
tem functions to new users. A staged
user-interface architecture makes it
possible to turn off functional layers
so that the basic applications soft-
ware can be run by the user with no
frills, but the advanced functions can
easily be engaged when requested. A
user interface designed this way, with
staged access, i.e., accessible in layers
of complexity, can always be conve-
niently made simpler or more com-
plex by merely turning functional
layers off or on.

There are two reasons why staging
access to sophisticated functions
might be a good idea: first, it deals

The Training System

users were able to

begin concrete work in

less than half the time

of the group using the

Full System.

with the impact that increasing func-
tional complexity can have on inter-
face quality. The remedy is to block
off enough of the function to make
the system seem simple. Indeed, the
pitfall of prematurely and inappropri-
ately accessing advanced functions is
a common new-user error and may
lay the groundwork for timidity on
the part of more experienced users
when it comes to exploring advanced
capabilities.

Second, by having the advanced
functions available, this scheme pro-
vides a bridge for the user between
understanding the basic functions
and mastering the complete applica-
tions package.

To experiment with this idea, we
designed a series of modifications in
the user interface of a commercial
word-processing system. David Boor
and I managed to define a simpler
level of functionality, which included
only document creation, revision,
and printing functions and which

specifically blocked the seven or eight
most devastating new-user errors that
we had observed in a study of peo-
ple trying to learn the full system.
Essentially, we imposed an alternate
architectural form on the system by
brute force. This is the basis of the
Training System.

Physically, the Training System
looked exactly like the Full System,
the one with the advanced functions.
All the menus and other displays
were exactly the same. However,
when a user selected one of the error-
provocative choices, options, or func-
tions we had isolated, the Training
System displayed the message "X is
not available on the Training System."
(X was the name of the selection.)
The error consequences had been
blocked, and the user was immedi-
ately free to make another selection.
The user could see the advanced
function and even try it— only to be
told it was not yet available, but the
user would not suffer the penalty
such self-initiative often carries. In
the Full System in the same situation,
the user's selection would have trig-
gered an actual function and in most
cases would have led to trouble
quickly.

Subsequently, I experimented with
the Training System in collaboration
with Caroline Carrithers, Jim Ford,
Georgia Gibson, and Penny Smith-
Kerker, in a series of studies reported
and to-be-reported elsewhere (see
reference 3). Part of what we found
is good but not altogether surprising
news: novices can learn basic word-
processing skills several times faster
if they don't have to spend time re-
covering from the errors of prema-
turely and inappropriately accessing
advanced system functions. In par-
ticular, the Training System users
were able to reliably get to the typ-
ing display and begin concrete work
in less than half the time of the best-
performing group of learners using
the Full System.

There was evidence that this ad-
vantage is more than merely a matter
of reducing error time. The Training
System users, at the end of our ex-
periment, could type and print out
a simple letter more than twice as fast
as the Full System users could. The

114 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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116 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 349 on inquiry card.

Training System users reduced the
proportion of their time spent on
errors almost 50 percent compared to
the Full System users over the course
of the experiment. And more than 90
percent of this improvement resulted
from their spending less time on the
errors that were not blocked in the
Training System itself. Hence, the ad-
vantage of the Training System is not
merely a matter of blocking errors,
then observing that people spend
less time on them.

At the end of the experiment, we
administered a system-concepts test
and a work-attitude test to our exper-
imental subjects. The Training Sys-
tem people did better on both tests,
indicating that they had learned more
about the system and that they felt
better about work in general after the
experience.

We have learned some fairly
specific lessons with regard to the de-
sign of training systems, in general,
for computer users. The novices us-
ing our Training System were given
opportunities to see where the ad-
vanced functions were and to make
errors, but they were protected from
the direct consequences and side ef-
fects of making the errors. Neverthe-
less, they learned to discern errors
more successfully than their Full
System counterparts. The Full Sys-
tem learners were punished more for
making errors, but their learning was
impaired rather than facilitated
relative to the Training System group.
The simple implication is that
negative reinforcement has no useful
role in the user interface.

The second lesson we learned from
this work pertains more to the issue
of architectural form. The system we
studied was derived from a commer-
cial system by ad hoc surgery— long
after the original design had been set
in silicon. We can imagine, however,
that when the original architecture of
a machine is developed, provisions
can be made for the sort of function
subsetting we had to graft on by
brute force. This amounts to a user-
interface guideline that dictates that
the core of an applications package
be a coherent package— and, in turn,
perhaps that the secondary function,
along with the core, constitute a

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coherent application, and so on. This
conclusion has two properties: first,
empirical evidence supports it; sec-
ond, the recommendation it makes is
simple and general.

A question that remains is how
users will progress from the core
functions all the way to the full-
function system. In the real world,
experienced users sometimes limit
themselves to subsets and never be-
come experts on systems they use
routinely (see reference 10). Our sim-
ple case study had only two levels of
system complexity, and in the case in
which we examined users switching
from one level to the next, they were
told explicitly to switch. However, the
intent in the Training System is to
motivate the user to see increasing
but manageable functional complex-
ity as a challenge.

Architectural Presentation

Architectural presentation is a de-
sign domain par excellence; as such,
it is not amenable to deductive anal-
ysis (see reference 6). Rather, it is fun-
damentally a matter of iteratively re-

fining and developing a set of idio-
syncracies.

Unfortunately, there can be no
demonstrable arguments either way
for such a claim. But that does not
diminish the importance of the ques-
tion, because even a tentative deter-
mination could help organize and al-
locate effort in user-interface develop-
ment. I will illustrate the argument by

User-interface

metaphors build upon

what a user already

knows.

discussing some recent interface
metaphors for office systems.

Most simply, the motivation for de-
veloping user-interface metaphors is
to build on what the user already
knows and reducing what would be
hard to understand. For example, a
large proportion of intended users
are professional typists, who know a
lot about typewriting but not neces-
sarily about computers. Analogous

points can be made for potential
users of electronic spreadsheets and
various other applications. Such ob-
servations suggest a simple design
idea that has been very successfully
exploited: help people learn and use
unique systems by inviting them—
via the interface— to engage their
prior noncomputer knowledge (see
reference 7). The current popularity
of interfaces that are deliberate meta-
phors of typewriters, spreadsheets,
and desktops is good evidence that
this approach is on the right track.
However, I question whether the
issue of metaphors is a simple one.
There are two reasons for my con-
cern. First, metaphors are inevitable
in human thought, and, while they
can be a source of insight and sav-
ings, they can as often be a source of
interference and confusion. When
we focus on success stories that con-
tend, for example, that a word pro-
cessor is a typewriter, we overlook
the many classic examples of meta-
phor-induced troubles. Psychologists
even have a special term to refer to
the interference of prior knowledge

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118 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983

119

on problem-solving activity: func-
tional fixedness.

An experiment in which people
were asked to mount candles on a
vertical screen provides an example
(see reference 1). The subjects were
each given a small cardboard box
containing candles, thumbtacks, and
matches. A correct solution is to
mount the candles on the boxes (by
melting a little wax) and then to
mount the boxes on the screen (with
the thumbtacks). Because boxes are
typically containers, not platforms,
most of the participants did not use

them to support the candles. Their
preconceived notions interfered with
the required insight. When the
materials for the problem were pre-
sented to the subjects in the boxes
(reinforcing the container interpreta-
tion), only 10 percent of the partici-
pants could solve the problem. When
the materials were provided with
empty boxes, however, almost 90 per-
cent solved the problem.

Even the typewriter metaphor has
its problematic side. Users we have
studied were often quite confused by
the fact that such keys as the Space-

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bar, Backspace, and Carriage Return
insert blank spaces and line breaks
instead of merely moving the typing
point (as on a real typewriter). Peo-
ple often balk at instructions such as
"backspace to erase" or "type to in-
sert." And this can cost them failure
and frustration. Users often try to
change margins and tabs when do-
ing so is needless because of system
defaults and dangerous because of
the risk of getting tangled in ad-
vanced functions (see reference 8).
But the point is not to avoid meta-
phors, for this is not possible. Engag-
ing prior knowledge in the service of
present behavior and thought is a
fundamental cognitive process.

The second reason interface meta-
phors may never become a matter of
simple and general principles is that
they often act as conceptual aids,
both mismatching as well as match-
ing their targets. A computer, for
instance, is not literally a typewriter.
Pressing a computer's keys elicits
glowing dots on a TV screen rather
than lines of ink on a paper— really
very different effects. And typing
over characters on a computer screen
replaces those characters or inserts
new ones, although both outcomes
are unpredictable on the basis of
literal metaphor projection. Indeed,
given a simple view of the use of
metaphors, it is remarkable that
neither of these metaphor mis-
matches has a very troubling conse-
quence for learners. Encountering
these inequalities can, in fact, be an
opportunity for developing an en-
hanced understanding of the elec-
tronic medium, e.g., the concept of
dynamic storage (see reference 4).

These two properties of metaphors
raise a host of questions. When is the
metaphor trade-off favorable? When
will metaphor mismatches be cogni-
tively stimulating? We cannot resolve
these questions in a general way, nor
can we dismiss them, for aspects of
metaphors pervade virtually all
thought and certainly any user inter-
face. The very notion of a user inter J
face implies that what the user is see-
ing and conceptualizing is something
at least one step removed from what
the system is really doing. Adding
iconic objects and actions may make

120 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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the desktop metaphor more explicit,
but interface icons are not necessary
to suggest the metaphor in the first
place. Merely describing a system as
an "office-application system" brings
to mind rich and diverse physical of-
fice metaphors.

Having recognized that user-inter-
face metaphors are complex and un-
avoidable design trade-offs, we can-
not say much more than "try some
out, test them, and try some more."
For example, suppose that a docu-
ment removed from a folder (direc-
tory) to be edited is not returned to
the folder after editing. The office
metaphor suggests that the docu-
ment should then be "left out" (e.g.,
on a metaphorical desktop), to be re-
turned to the folder only when the
user explicitly moves it there. But
what about printing the document?
Suppose that a document removed
from a folder for printing is not re-
turned to the folder afterwards.
Should it remain on the metaphorical
printer's metaphorical paper table?
Or should the printed document be
automatically refiled?

I think both choices are unaccept-
able. If the document is automatical-
ly refiled, the consistency between
editing and printing is compromised.
If it is not automatically refiled, how-
ever, it will likely be forgotten and left
in the printer. After all, when a docu-
ment is sent to be printed, the user's
attention ultimately shifts to the
printer (not an icon or object label,
but the actual equipment). What
happens when the next document is
left in the printer? We can find solu-
tions to such architectural-presenta-
tion issues if we wish; however, these
well-reasoned solutions will not
always be appropriate. The trade-offs
and interrelations are too rich and
subtle; too often the key factors are
completely idiosyncratic to a par-
ticular system or application. When
one problem is solved, another,
whose very existence depends on the
prior solution, appears.

Architectural form, it seems to me,
is very much a matter of general prin-
ciples and could provide the user-
interface guidelines for which every
designer longs. For this reason, it
may make sense to direct research on

matters of architectural form at
general-level principles. Architectural
presentation, however, seems less
amenable to such a treatment. Pre-
sentation issues, I think, will remain
case-by-case problems to be resolved
by prototyping and user testing. If
this world view is correct, then the
distinction between architectural
form and presentation could be an
important guide in planning research
on the quality of user interfaces. ■

References

1. Adamson, R. E. "Functional Fixedness as Re-
lated to Problem Solving." Journal of Experi-
mental Psychology, 44, 1952, pages 288-
291.

2. Carroll, J. M. 'The Adventure of Getting to
Know a Computer." Computer, pages 49-58,
November 1982.

3. Carroll, J. M. and C. Carrithers. "Blocking
User Error States in a Training System." Sub-
mitted to ACM Communications.

4. Carroll, J ,M, and R. L. Mack. "Metaphor,
Computing Systems, and Active Learning."
IBM Research Report, RC 9636, 1982.

5. Carroll, J. M. and R. L. Mack. "Learning to
Use a Word Processor: By Doing, by Think-
ing, and by Knowing." In J. Thomas and M.
Schneider (Eds.) Human Factors in Computer
Systems. Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1983.

6. Carroll, J. M. and M. B. Rosson. "Usability
Specifications as a Tool in Iterative Develop-
ment." In H. R. Hartson (Ed.) Advances in
Human-Computer Interaction. Norwood, NJ:
Ablex, forthcoming.

7. Carroll, J. M. and J. C. Thomas. Metaphor
and the Cognitive Representation of Comput-
ing Systems." IEEE Transactions on Systems,
Man, and Cybernetics, SMC-12, pages 107-
116, 1982.

8. Mack, R. L, C H. Lewis, and J. M. Carroll.
"Learning to Use Word Processors: Problems
and Prospects." ACM Transactions on Office
Information Systems, 1, pages 254-271, 1983.

9. Malone, T W. 'Toward a Theory of Intrinsically
Motivating Instruction," Cognitive Science, 4,
pages 333-369, 1981.

10. Rosson, M. B. "Patterns of Experience in Text
Editing." Proceedings of CHI '83 Conference
on Human Factors in Computer Systems.
Boston, MA: December 12-15, 1983.

11. Smith, D, C Irby, R. Kimball, B. Verplank, and
E. Harslem. "Designing the Star Interface,"
April 1982 BYTE, pages 242-282.

John Carroll is a research staff member at IBM's
Thomas ]. Watson Research Center (POB 218, York-
town Heights, NY 10598).

122 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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■ «

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Why Is Software So
Hard to Use?

So far, the "ease of use" idea has generated more advertising

copy than easy-to-use software

I divide microcomputer owners
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If you want to find out if you are
a user or a hacker, compare figures
la and lb, screen displays you would
see upon signing off from two im-
aginary computer systems. If you
find yourself enchanted by the latter,
read no further. You are a hacker, and
this article is not written for you.

Software Is Not Easy to Use

Now that we've gotten rid of the

by Sam Edwards

hackers, let's first agree, fellow users,
that most software products are not
easy to use. Even if you number
yourself among the fortunate few
who have experienced no problems
installing, learning, and using your
software, I am sure you know of
friends with horror stories. They

complain about programs that re-
quire an electrical engineering degree
to configure to your computer;
manuals that explain nothing, or far
too much; error messages that ap-
pear when you've done nothing to be
ashamed of and that aren't docu-
mented ("So I pressed the Tab key,

(la)

(lb)

END OF SESSION

END

OF

SESSION

CONNECT TIME: 00: 12.

34

# DISK ACCESSES

456

SESSION TIME: 00: 11.

2 y

# DISK UPDATES

98

CF'U TIME : 00:01.

54

# DISK RETRIES

0

MAXIMUM PATH

4. 7

# KEYSTROKES

: 315

MINIMUM PATH

1. 1

# COMMANDS

14

AVERAGE PATH

2. 6

# CHARS DISPLAYED

: 847

STD. DEVIATION

0.7

AVE. DISPLAY RATE

43/SEC

LOAD POINT

OOCE

ACTIVE MEMORY

256K

ENTRY POINT

6A77

"/. UTILIZATION

14

VERSION A. 09 REVISION

33383-57-0005### ( XLA) 22

Figure 1: If you prefer la to lb, I'd call you a user. Read on. If you prefer lb to la, you're
probably a hacker.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 127

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and the screen displayed INTERNAL
ERROR 315, and my computer started
to beep at me, and it just kept beep-
ing and beeping. . ."); and applications
that lead you down a decision tree in-
to a cul-de-sac where your only exit
is the power switch. The point is that
not only is most software difficult to
use, but it's the software's fault and
not yours. Many users unfairly blame
themselves for the deficiencies of
their software. I want you to stand up
now and say out loud, "My software
is not easy to use, and I am not a
dummy." There, I bet you feel a lot
better.

Admittedly, the "ease of use" idea
has caught the software industry's at-
tention, but so far it has generated
mainly advertising copy. Rare indeed
is the advertisement that doesn't pro-
claim its program Easy to Use or User
Friendly. Investigate these claims and

Creating easy-to-use
software requires a
good model, lots of
attention to detail,
and a constant
effort to simplify.

you will usually discover just another
hard-to-use product with a bunch of
lessons and help screens tacked on.
In fact, some popular software is so
hard to use that an entire subindustry
has sprung up to help the user figure
out how to use it. A recent microcom-
puter magazine had 11 advertise-
ments for seminars, keyboard
templates, on-line tutorials, program
interfaces, and so on, all designed to
make money off of people who
bought name-brand software and
then found it too difficult to use.

Easy Is Difficult

One reason why so little easy-to-
use software exists is that it is very
difficult to create. Creating easy-to-
use software requires a good model,
lots of attention to detail, and a con-
stant effort to simplify. (It also re-
quires a lot of code. John Page, the
creator of PFS:FILE, estimates that
fully half of FILE'S code is devoted to

the user interface.) It is easy to add
"just one more" feature but difficult
to integrate it smoothly with existing
features. It is easy to provide an ap-
plication with lots of options but dif-
ficult to avoid presenting those op-
tions to the user in formidable lists
of menu choices, cursor-control keys,
embedded printer commands, and
so on. It is easy to expose the inter-
nal structure of a program as a model
the user must understand but much
more difficult to present a model
with which the user is familiar.

Another reason software is not
easy to use is that some potential cus-
tomers won't buy it if it is. Some of
these potential customers suffer from
the Big System Syndrome, a carry-
over from the days when computers
were big and complicated and main-
tained by a priesthood of white-
coated computer operators in special
air-conditioned rooms. Today's Big
System Syndrome sufferers derive
pleasure in direct proportion to their
software's complexity and obtuse-
ness. There are others who feel
somehow cheated if the programs
they buy don't fill their screens, beep
their speakers, and whir their disks
to the maximum. They want their
money's worth. Finally, some users
equate difficulty with sophistication.
These are the people who waited
until IBM legitimized the microcom-
puter industry before they bought
their personal computers; their image
as professionals is at stake, and they
can't risk "easy" software destroying
that image.

The Feature Chase

Software is not easy to use mainly
because the people who write it,
market it, review it, and sell it aren't
really interested in how easy it is to
use. What programmers care about is
how much it can do. In the inexorable
drive toward more and more fea-
tures, the players have lost sight of
the software's only purpose: to get
the job done with as little fuss as
possible.

A programmer is a programmer be-
cause he is good at handling details
and complexity. His world is made
up of bits and bytes and hexadecimal
numbers and balanced B-trees and

128 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

THE MOST OUTSTANDING MULTIPROCESSOR, MULTIUSER ORCHESTRA.

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shell sorts, things he understands
and loves. When fellow programmers
ask him about his current project, he
tells them about his neat data-
compaction scheme and how he got
it to fit in only 2K bytes. When they
ask for a demo, hell show them some
exotic feature that no competitor's
product offers ("Watch this: just press
Control-V,X and the Escape key, and
bingo! Your subscript is now under-
lined.")

Immersed in technical details and
surrounded by like-minded people,
the programmer quite naturally ex-
pects the end user to share his en-
thusiasm for the technical and the
complicated. And so, little by little,
technical details surface for the user's
admiration. The programmer's spell-
ing checker now tells what percent-
age of the words in the checked
document appear exactly once. His
database program now reports the
average number of disk seeks per
record accessed (it's the lowest
average in the industry!). A chapter
is added to his spreadsheet program's
manual explaining in complete detail

the format for the storage of real
numbers (an elegant scheme; it
should be shared with all mankind).

But the programmer shouldn't bear
all the blame for his program's creep-
ing elegance. The marketing depart-
ment of his company steadily feeds
him advice during the product's de-
velopment, and the advice is always
More Features. Any feature the pro-
grammer hasn't included that the
competitor's program includes is
pointed out, and it is easier for the
programmer to add it than argue to
eliminate it. After all, that's what he's
paid for, right? There is also the
unstated challenge to his ego ("Well,
if it's too difficult. . ."). Of course, any
features the programmer includes
that the competition has neglected
are looked upon by the marketing
department as just so much gravy.

After investing all that time and ef-
fort in adding features that the com-
petition doesn't have, it would be
silly not to point out their uniqueness
in product advertisements. So a
matrix is worked up with features
along one axis and the product ver-

sus its competition along the other
axis. (The features listed are mainly
those that the competition lacks.) Un-
fortunately, the ad does not address
the only question that really matters:
will the product do the job for you
without any fuss?

When the software reviewer enters
the picture, his assignment often is
to compare the programmer's crea-
tion with similar packages from com-
petitors. If he doesn't have enough
time to actually use all of the prod-
ucts he is reviewing (which is very
often the case), he makes his own
matrix of features versus programs,
just like in the ads. I've got a whole
file of these reviews. They are always
entitled "< magazine name>
Reviews < however many> of the
Most Popular < spreadsheet/word-
processing/ home-accounting > Pro-
grams for the < computer name > ."
Reviews like this are generally quite
useless. After reading across the rows
and down the columns, can you real-
ly say which product is best for you?

Finally, we have the dealer. He can
carry only two or three programs in

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CAM YOU NAME THE WORLDS

THIRD LARGEST SUPPLIER

OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS?

Naming the two largest
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computers is easy.

The third one is a
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That's right.
NEC is the
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supplier.*

We're not
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The main reason we
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The kind of
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Is NEC on your bid
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If we're not on your
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each category for each computer he
sells. How can he choose which
ones? He reads the ads, dealer pro-
mos, and software reviews. Since
every product claims to be easy to
use, he concentrates on what each
product can do, assuming that, all
other things being equal, the more a
product can do, the better it is. Hence
he stocks those products that have
the most features, confirming the
programmer's wisdom in putting
those extra features in and encourag-
ing him to include even more in
future versions.

The unfortunate result of this fea-
ture chase is that the user ends up
with a program that does everything
in the world except (you guessed it)
get the job done with no fuss.

What Makes Software
Easy to Use?

Easy-to-use software gets the job
done with no fuss. That's because it
stays out of your way by not drawing
attention to itself and by offering you
only what you need to know. It lets
you concentrate on your work and
not on using the program. Rather
than try to be all things to all people,
it contents itself with meeting the es-
sential needs of most people.

Easy-to-use software does what
you expect it to do. Its responses to
your commands are natural and un-
exceptional. As you work with it, it
may elicit from you an occasional
murmur of contentment but never a
cry of amazement, grief, or profan-
ity. It satisfies what people in my
company call the Principle of Least
Astonishment.

Easy-to-use software offers you
less. The thinner the manual, the less
you'll have to read to learn the pro-
gram. The fewer the choices on the
menus and prompt lines, the less
you'll have to think about before
making your choices. The less a pro-
gram does, the fewer things can go
wrong with it (and, most probably,
the less it costs). For me, less denotes
simple, clean, uncluttered, and un-
complicated.

A Good Model

A good software product uses
models of things you are already

familiar with. If you glance at figure
2a, a screen from an imaginary
home-budgeting program, you might
not be sure what it is for. If, however,
I rearrange the prompts and add a
border, its purpose becomes self-
evident (see figure 2b).

I've seen many examples lately of
databases that use a screen display of
a filing cabinet as their model. This
model can be extended to have the
chosen drawer open up and the
folders inside pop up for your inspec-
tion and choice. By using such a
familiar object as a model, this pro-
gram does away with any need to ex-
plain "master" and "detail" data
fields or whatever the internal
equivalents are for the drawers and
the folders. Apple's Lisa computer
comes with a program that uses a
hand calculator as a model. You
"press" its "keys" by selecting them
with the mouse. This program's vir-
tue does not lie in its efficiency (an
actual hand calculator is faster to use)
but in its familiarity; you don't need
to read a manual or a help screen to
find out how it works.

One danger with models is that in
their effort to imitate the familiar ob-
ject, they may imitate the object's
limitations as well. A word processor

(2a)

Number i
Dates
To:

Amount !
Memos

patterned after a typewriter so
slavishly that you see a graphical im-
age of the type ball swing up each
time you type a character may be
comfortably familiar but may even-
tually drive you crazy.

One of the most familiar objects of
home and office is also one of the
most difficult to model successfully:
a piece of paper. Programs seldom
show one of paper's most obvious
characteristics: its edges. Nor do pro-
grams simulate the freedom of using
a pencil or typewriter to write any-
where on the paper. Cut-and-paste
operations rarely bear any resem-
blance to the cutting and pasting of
real paper.

The sheet-of-paper model is ideal
for a database program in which each
screen represents a form to fill out.
With care, the same model can also
be used to represent menus and
other command screens, thus elimi-
nating the need for the user to learn
different procedures for data entry
and command entry. A popular alter-
native to the sheet-of-paper model for
command entry is the sequential
model; you select one item from a
list, which in turn offers you a secon-
dary list, and so on, until you have
reached the list containing the item

(2b)

Number

Pay To The Order Q-f

Date

Dol lars

Memo

Figure 2: An unclear screen from an imaginary home-budgeting program (a). With prompts
and a border, the purpose of the screen becomes self-evident (b).

132 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Quadram Quadchrome .... 609 Amdek 300

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SOFTWARE

IBM

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Easywriterll.

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Wyse300 :....1019

Wyse200..... 1019

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C.ltohCS(Ser) 549

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Houston Ins. Hi-Pad 759

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Multiplan 189.

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PFS'.FIIev... 93

PFS: Report .83

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TaxPreparer . . 169

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Personal Pearl , 199

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you want to change.

With the sheet-of-paper model as
employed by PFS:WRITE, you select
the Define Page option of the main
menu by typing 2, which brings up
the Define Page Menu. You then
move the cursor to the Left Margin
item and type the new value over the
old one.

The advantages of the sequential
model are that it often requires fewer
keystrokes to select an option and it
need occupy only one line of the
screen. The advantages of the sheet-
of-paper model are that it enables
you to examine and change many
items at the same time; it has fewer
levels of nesting, thus reducing the
need for additional commands to
"back up" the command tree; item
names need not be artificially
shortened to squeeze onto a single
line; and item names and even
graphical elements can be more free-
ly used on the screen for greater com-
prehension.

Consistency

Consistency may be the single
most important factor in determining
a program's ease of use. Unless a pro-
gram is totally consistent in its menu
displays, error detection, warnings,
keystroke assignments, help mes-
sages, option lists, and so on, its
users will never be able to totally trust
it or relax while they're using it.

Imagine that you have just ac-
quired a program to help you with
your home budgeting. Every time
you press the F3 function key, the
program moves the cursor to the
command line. That's great— an easy
rule to remember, and it doesn't get
you into trouble. Then one day you
try to edit an existing budget item.
You enter the Edit subsystem, press
F3 to get to the command line, and —
whoops!— all of your item values
have just been converted to French
francs, just as the manual (which you
never read) said would happen. Not
only have you messed up your
budget, you have also lost all con-
fidence in the F3 key, even when you
aren't in the Edit subsystem. From
now on, every time you use your
budgeting program, you will worry
about it and wonder when it will foul

< Circle 114 on inquiry card.

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Size

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B-83-12

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THE

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AGENT, INC.

— M

574 Weddell Drive, Suite 5
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(408) 744-0646

Open Monday thru Fridav fi-5 PST

- _

v_ fe

you up again.

I occasionally use an operating
system that requires a Q to quit the
main menu, an E to move from the
main menu to the editor, and, de-
pending on what I have done in the
editor, either a Q, E, or the Escape
key to return to the main menu. The
net result is that I must pause and
worry a bit before typing Q, E, or the
Escape key at any menu. A minor in-
consistency has planted a seed of
mistrust in the decision-making part
of my brain. My peace of mind has
been subtly disturbed.

Let me offer another example.
Many word processors have a
cursor-movement mode for moving
the cursor anywhere in the docu-
ment, an insert mode for typing new
text, and a replace mode for typing
over existing text. In the cursor-
movement mode, you can use the
cursor-movement keys, but you can't
type text. In the insert mode, you can
type text, but you can't use the
cursor-movement keys. In the replace
mode, you can type text, but only
where there was text before, and you
can't use the cursor-movement keys.
In other words, you are never sure
which keys are functional and which
are not. Inconsistent keystroke defini-
tions force you to devote more time
to worrying about the software, leav-
ing you with less time for your work.

PFS:WRITE's main menu expects
you to enter a digit from 1 to 6, fol-
lowed by pressing the F10 function
key on the IBM PC to signify "I've
filled out the menu; let's continue."
I could have made the main menu
even faster to fill out by having the
program branch immediately after
detecting a digit from 1 to 6, without
waiting for the F10 key to be pressed.
But that would be inconsistent with
the way the other menus are han-
dled. In the Define Page menu, for
example, the F10 key is required be-
cause the program can't know when
the user has finished filling out the
menu. I chose consistency over effi-
ciency here; the one keystroke I could
have saved is not enough to compen-
sate for the inconsistency of requir-
ing the F10 key on all but the main
menu.

Can consistency be carried too far?

136 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 357 on inquiry card.

Circle 385 on inquiry card.

SemiDisk and SemiSpool:

SURE-FIRE WAIT-REDUCTION!

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SemiDisk trademark of SemiDisk Systems, Inc. Copyright * 1983 SemiDisk Systems, Inc. CP/M Trademark Digital Research.

Circle 453 on Inquiry card.

Less
for lour
Money

If you do word processing on
your personal computer, you
probably know that there are
many programs for sale to help
you with your spelling. But the
biggest spelling error you'll ever
make is paying too much for your
spelling correction software. The
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138 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Perhaps. PFS:WRITE moves the cur-
sor to the beginning of the next line
each time you press the Enter key,
whether you are filling out a form or
a menu. But as we just saw, WRITE's
main menu requires you to type in
only a one-digit number. Should the
Enter key move the cursor to the be-
ginning of the next line? That would
be consistent, but it certainly doesn't
help you fill out the main menu.
Maybe it shouldn't do anything, or
maybe it should mean "continue,"
just like the F10 key. These "trivial
details" are the sorts of issues pro-
grammers must worry about if they
decide to take ease of use seriously.
Consistency among several pro-
grams is perhaps more important
than consistency within each sepa-
rate program. If pressing the Escape
key makes your word processor
return to its main menu, your
spreadsheet program undo the last
command you entered, and your fil-
ing program remove the displayed
form from your file, you are going to
be awfully hesitant about ever press-
ing that key. Until independent soft-
ware developers sit down together
and agree on program conventions
(which will never happen), you can
minimize this problem by either buy-
ing integrated products that do the
work of several individual products
or buying the individual products
from a single vendor who cares about
consistency.

Product Integration

The integrated software you can
buy off the shelves today looks like
it was designed to cram the greatest
number of features onto the fewest
number of floppy disks and into the
least amount of memory. This sort of
packaging has imposed a certain
amount of consistency within each
integrated product (for example, it
takes less code to make all prompt
lines work the same way), but the
products really aren't much easier to
use than those they replaced. What
they offer primarily are gains in
speed and convenience. The disk
shuffle you had to go through to get
a graph printed with data from your
spreadsheet program was so cumber-
some and time-consuming that it was

hardly worth the effort. Now, with
graphing and spreadsheet functions
in the same application, the process
has become quite feasible.

This space restriction will disap-
pear as computer memories become
larger, disk capacities increase, and
hard-disk prices fall. The next restric-
tion programmers of integrated soft-
ware will face is the limitations of
their models. Any application that
tries to do too many different things
is going to have problems keeping its
model from becoming distorted. The
more reasonable alternative to one
program that does all is a small num-
ber of programs, each of which does
as much as it can within the confines
of its own model. For example, one
program modeled after a spreadsheet
might provide row and column
calculations, graphs, and reports, and
another program modeled after a
piece of paper might provide data
storage, word processing, and spell-
ing checking.

Summary

The new operating systems will
make these integrated programs
much nicer to use by imposing stan-
dards of data interchange, by permit-
ting the simultaneous display of
multiple applications on the same
screen, and by permitting the rapid
switching from one application to
another. But ease of use is not an in-
evitable result of these developments.
Multiple windows, high-resolution
graphics, rapid task switching, and
all the other wonderful technical
wizardry coming our way can still
leave us with messy screens, compli-
cated decision trees, ambiguous
prompts, inconsistent keystroke con-
ventions, bad manuals, and all the
other faults that have made today's
software so difficult to use. Until pro-
grammers, advertisers, reviewers,
dealers, and users decide they won't
settle for anything less than easy-to-
use software, it's not likely to appear
on the shelves. ■

Sam Edwards (2777 Pradera Way, Carmel, CA
93923) practices what he preaches as coauthor of
the PFS:WRITE software package and in his posi-
tion as software engineer at Software Publishing
Corporation.

""Illll'll""

Your Apple's telephone.

"Thanks for the prompt reply. Sure
was a lot faster than waiting for
the mail!"

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week's auction are as follows..'.

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Smartcom I companion software.
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Smartcom I is as versatile as you need it
to be. It accepts DOS 3.3, Pascal, CP/M™
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And accommodates up to six disk drives
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Like all our products, Smartcom I and

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FCC approved in U.S. A Micromodem lie is a registered trademark of
Hayes Microcomputer Products. Inc. Smartcom I is a trademark of
Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. Apple is a registered trademark of
Apple Computer, Inc. Touch-Tone is a registered service mark of
American Telephone and Telegraph. CP/M is a trademark of Digital
Research, Inc. CP/M Plus is a trademark of Advanced Logic Systems.
©1983 Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.

Circle 212 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

139

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Octagon 8/16 and CPU Board 8/16 are trademarks of Octagon Corp. t CP/M 80, CP/M 86.
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Z80 is a trademark of Zilog Corp. MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.
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Walt Disney and User-
Oriented Software

Mickey Mouse teaches software designers a lesson

When the outstanding violinist Isaac
Stern was asked the difference between
the great and the truly great, he replied,
"The ability to communicate." It is the key
ingredient in every art form and certainly
the great strength of Walt Disney's
genius.

—Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson
Disney Animation,
the Illusion of Life

Today we can look back on what
Walt Disney did 50 years ago and
learn a great deal about how to
design friendly software. Disney
created Donald Duck, Mickey
Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto. He also
created Pinocchio, Bambi, and Fantasia.
Forty-five years after it was made,
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was
a box-office success this past summer.
The Disney movies were a delight of
our childhood; they still have the
power to enchant us as adults.

Walt Disney used a new medium
to develop a new art form (feature-

This article is taken from the
book The Elements of Friendly Soft-
ware Design by Paul Heckel, which
is scheduled to be published by
Warner Books in February 1984.

by Paul Heckel

length animated movies) and in the
process rediscovered the principles of
effective communication. Twenty
years earlier, D. W Griffith helped
make film an art form with Birth of
a Nation. Both Disney and Griffith
seized a new technology; in so doing,
each rediscovered, or at least reap-
plied, fundamentals of communica-
tion.

"What," I am sure you are asking,
"does that have to do with com-
puters and writing friendly
software?"

Computer software is a new
medium, and writing easy-to-use
software consists of treating it as a
communications task. Software de-
signers can learn from professional
communicators such as writers, film-
makers, advertisers, and salesmen by
examining the techniques they use
and applying these techniques to
software development. Visicalc uses
many of these principles, as does
Wordstar, the Xerox Star, and Apple's
Lisa.

My main objective in the book from
which this article is taken is to iden-
tify these principles and offer ex-
amples from prose, film, advertising,
and successful software such as Visi-
calc and Wordstar. Software writers
can learn by studying the formative
stages of a communication art form

as well as the principles used in its
mature stages. After all, we are in the
formative stages of developing user-
oriented software.

As I was finishing the manuscript
for my book, I read Disney Animation,
the Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas
and Ollie Johnson (Abbeville Press,
1981). The authors, Disney studio
animators from 1935 until they retired
in 1978, wrote this book to record how
the great Disney films were made.
They describe the thought processes
that go into creating an animated
film, the atmosphere in which those
great films (Snow White, Fantasia,
Bambi, and others) were created, and
much more.

For anyone seriously interested in
designing user-oriented software,
this book is must reading because it
tells you how to think about commu-
nications. So much of what the
authors say about creating animated
cartoons is directly applicable to
writing user-oriented software; a
review of some of its high points
serves to provide insights into what
makes communication effective.

Disney Animation tells the story of
the invention of an art form and the
rediscovery of the principles of com-
munication and theater. It is a con-
stant iteration of those principles. Its
authors, who are artists rather than

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

143

writers, show by the interest and ex-
citement they arouse in the reader
that they have mastered the princi-
ples of communication and that these
principles are universal. It is worth
reviewing here some of the funda-
mentals they discuss.

Make It Interesting

First and foremost, every scene and
every sequence of a Disney film had
to be interesting. A dull sequence
would always be revised or elimi-
nated and was never left in because
it was needed for continuity. If in de-
signing software we exerted one-
tenth the effort that Disney did just
to make his films interesting, our
software would improve tenfold. (In
an effort to avoid using repeatedly
the awkward construction "Walt
Disney and his artists," I use the word
Disney throughout this article. When
referring to Walt Disney specifically,
I will use his first name.)

Disney storymen and animators
constantly looked for "a piece of busi-
ness" that would bring a character to
life and make it interesting. A char-
acter never simply walked from one
place to another: too dull. He might
be angry and show it in the way he
walks; he might drag something
along; he might scratch his head. But
he would do some piece of business
that was in character, advanced the
story, and was interesting.

The concept of a piece of business
was new to me. Yet having software
let you know that something is hap-
pening by displaying a piece of busi-
ness is a good technique. It is far bet-
ter than having the user stare at a
blinking cursor and wonder whether
his program is working or not. With
Quickview Systems software you get
a piece of business when a long mes-
sage is displayed. Characters on the
left side of the screen are deleted as
new characters are brought in from
the right side. This display technique
is unusual and gives a certain per-
sonality to the software.

Exaggerate Reality

Early animators discovered that
two related keys to making a charac-
ter interesting are exaggeration and
caricature. Reality must be the start-

ing point: it is necessary to identify
the essence of an animal or a person,
and at Disney this was researched in
great detail. Once the essence of a
character was identified, it was cari-
catured and its movements were ex-
aggerated. This made the character
more interesting than the real one it
was based on. Thomas and Johnson
point out that this is true of all art.
Michelangelo's David is not propor-
tioned like a real human being, nor
is Disney's Bambi proportioned like
a real deer. Bambi may be deceptive-
ly similar to the deer we know, but
it is designed so that the animator
can exaggerate its actions and thus
make it fascinating. (The most dif-
ficult characters to animate are
human ones such as Snow White.
The animators' dilemma is that an ac-
curately drawn human character is
difficult to make interesting, but the
audience won't identify with a char-
acter that is a caricature.)

Software is a visual

medium; we should

resort to words as a

last resort.

This, too, was a useful insight. It
suggests that the software designer's
objective should not be to accurately
model something the user is familiar
with. For example, Visicalc provides
an exaggerated spreadsheet, 254 rows
of 64 columns, while a normal spread-
sheet is approximately 15 by 50. Simi-
larly, automatic calculation is an ex-
aggeration of something that is done
on a real spreadsheet. In both these
Visicalc examples, the spreadsheet is
used as a starting point, and a basic
aspect of it is exaggerated. This com-
bination of familiarity and showman-
ship gives the product its value.

Think in Visual Terms

From the earliest stages of a Disney
film, the story was presented visually
through sketches. "Walt usually left
out the dialogue until a sequence had
been developed to the point where
he could see just how little was really
needed. If the idea could be commu-
nicated with an expression, an action
or a sound effect, or with music, he

would not use dialogue. The story-
man had to think in visual terms first,
and when he did write dialogue it
had to tell something about the char-
acter and not be merely exposition,"
say Thomas and Johnson. The
authors quote director Alfred Hitch-
cock with approval: "When we tell
a story in cinema, we should resort
to dialogue only when it is impossi-
ble to do otherwise."

Software also is a visual medium;
authors should resort to words as a
last resort. In designing user-oriented
software, you start out with a blank
screen to fill, just like a filmmaker. I
think of filling it the same way— with
pictures. Commands come later and
then only to support the pictures.

Prepare the Audience

Walt Disney used several tech-
niques to focus the audience's atten-
tion where he wanted it. These tech-
niques seem particularly appropriate
to friendly software design.

First, staging is considered care-
fully. How should a particular scene
be shown? Should it be indoors or
outdoors? What is in the back-
ground? Which characters should be
in it? How should they be arranged?
Should it be a frontal shot, a side
shot, a down shot, or a moving shot?
Should it be a long shot or a closeup?
The major consideration in any part
of a film is always what is the most
effective way to communicate the
desired image to an audience.

Software is staged, too. How
should information be structured on
the screen? I think it would be useful
to think of software as consisting of
a series of scenes, each of which
needs to be staged appropriately.
Much software staging is ill con-
sidered; the rest is unconsidered.

Walt Disney used an old theatrical
principle— anticipation. Before an ac-
tor does something, he first tele-
graphs what he is about to do. Before
a Disney character would jump, for
example, he would first bend his
knees in preparation. This readies
the audience for what will happen so
it is not taken completely by surprise.
A related technique, slow in and slow
out, is used when going from one
pose (or extreme) to another. The

144 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

mASEttisfar,farbetter
than a shoeho

>rn!'

Rusty Fraser

President

Data Base Research Corp.

"We laughed when
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dBASE II and RunTime are registered trademarks of Ashton-Tate.
The Champion is a registered trademark of Data Base Research Corporation.

©Ashton-Tate 1983.

Circle 34 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 145

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change without notice.

character moves slowly at first, then
speeds up, then slows down before
settling into the next pose.

Any time a software designer
wants to move the user's focus of at-
tention from one place to another, a
"slow out" can get the user to an-
ticipate the general direction of the
new focus. A "slow in" draws the
user's eyes to the new focus of atten-
tion. For example, with Wordstar I
sometimes use a FIND command to
locate a particular text string and lose
sight of the cursor on the screen. An
inexperienced user would have more
trouble. The slow-out/slow-in tech-
nique might reduce that problem.

Don't Crowd the Screen

Whenever more than one thing is
on the movie screen, the audience
usually gets confused. Walt Disney
and his animators were always con-
cerned about identifying the essence
of what should be communicated in
a scene and determining the mini-
mum needed to say it. Every scene
had to be communicated clearly. Back-
grounds, for example, were designed
so they didn't distract the audience
from the action. Secondary actions in
a scene always reinforced the primary
action. Thus, for example, if the main
action was a character picking a
flower, other characters in the scene
looked or pointed in the direction of
the flower, focusing the audience's at-
tention on the flower. Action was
always staged so it was easy to see
and not obscured by some other
aspect of the scene.

A major problem with many com-
puter screen displays is that they
show too much. This indicates lazi-
ness on the program designer's part.
Instead of finding what is important
to the user and showing only that, he
shows everything and expects the
user to find what he needs. The user
is often overwhelmed; what he needs
is often not clear to him. This can be
particularly serious for the new user
and an annoying problem for the ex-
perienced user. Software must be
simple, clear, and easy to under-
stand.

Involve the Audience

Audience rapport was important to

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inr

Circle 20 on inquiry card.

HOW DOES 1

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For European Distributor, contact: (714) 891-4004

See us at Comdex booth #378 and #481. See us at Compec '83, in Sitron Computer booth #9137.

Disney animators, Thomas and
Johnson write. "We involve the au-
diences in our films. . . . We start
with something they know and like.
This can be either an idea or a char-
acter, as long as it is familiar and ap-
pealing. It can be a situation everyone
has experienced. . . . But there must
be something that is known and
understood if the film is to achieve
audience involvement."

Dave Hand, a Disney animation
director, described his craft this way:
"Our entire medium is transference

of thought. The thought is created
first in the mind of the storyman
. . . then transferred to the director,
who attempts to transfer it to the
animator. . . . The animator then at-
tempts to transfer it pictorially. He
takes out the intangible and places it
in tangible form, in picture, for
transference back to the mind of the
audience . . . and picture presenta-
tion is clearer than any other means
of transferring thought from one per-
son to another."
Software designers should use the

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same approach as Disney animators:
involve the audience, start with
something they know and like, and
keep it familiar and appealing.

A Case in Point: Visicalc

Using an application program also
involves the transference of thought.
The software designer starts out with
an idea of what a program must do.
But for the program to be effective,
the designer must transfer to the user
the concept of what the application
program can do. Visicalc serves as an
excellent example. The designers,
Bob Frankston and Dan Bricklin, had
an idea for a new type of electronic
spreadsheet. But to be successful it
had to make sense to the program's
potential users. Several techniques
were employed to accomplish this
task. First, the authors used a win-
dow to display only part of the
spreadsheet on the screen. Second,
the user can examine different parts
of the spreadsheet by moving the
cursor, much the same as a movie
camera pans a scene too large to be
taken in one static shot. Third, the
designers selected formulas (e.g.,
SUM) and user commands (e.g.,
REPLICATE) that implemented oper-
ations similar to those done on paper
spreadsheets. These techniques rein-
force in the user's mind the image of
a large spreadsheet.

The Animation Development
Process

Disney's early animated shorts took
only a few months to make. It was
only after Walt improved his tech-
niques of animated filmmaking and
tackled full-length feature movies
that the importance of planning and
research became apparent. A typical
Disney feature film took three and a
half years to make: six months of
research; one year of work on the
story, styling, and experimenting;
one and a half years of animation;
and six months of follow-up to add
color and music and photograph the
460,000 drawings that made a
finished film. The making of a Disney
movie was a constant process of pro-
totyping, revising, and rewriting. The
organization and the development

148 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 181 on inquiry card.

PIECE

OF
MIND

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CP/M and CP/M-86 are registered trademarks and CP/M-65K. MP/M-66. Concurrent
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MP/M 8-16 are compound trademarks of Digital Research Inc. and CompuPro.

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NAME

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3506 Breakwater Court. Hayward. CA 94545

Prices and specifications subject to change without notice.

System 816 front panel design shown is available from Full Service CompuPro

System Centers only. ©1983 COMPUPRO

BYTE December 1983

149

process were designed to facilitate
this operation.

Throughout the development stage,
everyone got to see a more and more
complete version of the final film;
they could relate what they had done
to the whole and better see what
needed revision. They could see
what worked and what didn't work.
Woolie Reitherman, a Disney
animator, explained, "Many ideas
that sounded great in those story
meetings become sodden and lifeless
when seen on the screen in relation
to the rest of the business, and the
sooner these elements can be dis-
covered the sooner they can be cor-
rected. Many other story ideas that
were only 'touches' will come to life
in animation with so much entertain-
ment that it is foolish not to get the
full value from them, even if it means
adding considerable footage."

This is not an entirely smooth pro-
cess; it is not supposed to be. Its pur-
pose is to bring out what works and
what doesn't work, the problems and
the pleasant surprises, and to do it
as early as possible. For example, if
a particular animation sequence runs
longer than the music scored for it,
the composer might add another
half-measure. If a particular sequence
does not work as expected, it has to
be redone or abandoned.

The Software Development
Process

Program designers, like Disney
animators, have had to improve their
technique for producing personal-
computer software. When microcom-
puters first became popular, the early

applications programs were relative-
ly simple and required only a few
months to write. But contemporary
software such as Wordstar or Visicalc
required more than a year's effort to
produce. This trend has continued;
Visi On and the newest software for
the Lisa computer required a dozen
or more programmers working for
two to three years. With software
becoming more sophisticated and
users becoming more demanding,
the development process will con-
tinue to take more time and effort.

Much of the best software has de-
veloped as a result of evolution.
Many programs originate as a pro-
totype to test the practicality of an
idea. Visicalc was first prototyped in
a BASIC program before it was devel-
oped into a consumer product. Some
software is an improved version of an
earlier product. Wordstar, for exam-
ple, is based on the earlier Wordpro
word-processing package.

In developing software at Quick-
view Systems, we start out with a
primitive version of the product,
similar to story sketches for a Disney
film. We repeatedly test and modify
the program to see how it "plays" in
both formal and informal testing. We
see what works and what doesn't
and change the software to best
reflect what we think it should do.
This procedure allows our rough pro-
totype to change into a final polished
product.

Make the Best Guess

Disney created a set of tools that
helped make films, just as software
companies have developed a great

many tools to help make software.
Some of Disney's tools were designed
to ensure a quality product; studio
management tools were designed to
keep track of progress and ensure
that all the details merged together
correctly. But the main purpose of
these tools was to enable studio
workers to make a "best guess" of
what the audience's experience
would be. Everyone could quickly
adjust his work to the reality and see
the results of the adjustment. To
develop quality software, designers
need a similar environment that will
give them the best guess of what the
audience's experience will be.

Try Again

The final lesson that Walt Disney
can teach us may be the most impor-
tant. Hemingway, Frank Lloyd
Wright, Beethoven, and Picasso
couldn't get things right the first time.
Walt Disney couldn't, either. And no
software designer can get the user in-
terface right the first time. But by
carefully analyzing what the user
needs and following the precepts that
Walt Disney rediscovered, you can
raise your software designing to a
commercial art.H

Paul Meckel is the founder and president of
Quickview Systems (146 Main St., Suite 404,
Los Altos, CA 94022), which develops soft-
ware products for notebook and other small-
screen computers. He has designed several
user-oriented products, including the Craig
M-100 Language Translator. He has 20 years'
experience in developing software and holds
a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from
MIT and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.

ULTRA-RES M GRAPHICS

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150 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 58 on inquiry card.

Why buy an IBM XT when you can buy

an IBM PC or compatible,

our Pegasus XT Conversion Kit,

and save yourself almost $1,600?

For $1,295 you can buy our internal 10 megabyte

hard disk system installed in an IBM PC

or compatible of your choice.

Think about it. When you consider
buying an IBM XT or XT look-alike,
you're after large storage, the con-
venience of IBM compatible software,
and the peace of mind associated with
a quality product. But one thing you're
not looking for is paying more than
you have to.

The Savings

If you buy an IBM XT, it's going to
cost you $4,995 for the XT system unit.
You'll get 10 megabytes of hard disk
storage, one 320 Kbytes floppy disk
drive, 8 slots, a $120 asynchronous
communication adaptor, 128K of
RAM and the three IBM intials.

We recommend instead, that you
buy the IBM PC for $2,104. You'll get
one 320 Kbyte floppy disk drive, 5
slots, 64K of RAM, the same three
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put the Pegasus XT Conversion Kit,
and an extra $2,891 to buy it with. But
since the Pegasus XT Conversion Kit
costs only $1 ,295 installed, you'll have
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left over. With many compatibles
you'll have even more.

But if you already own an IBM PC
and were thinking you'd just get the

XT expansion chassis, we have a sur-
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Hard Disk Quality

Now, before you start thinking that
IBM's hard disk is better than ours,
remember that IBM doesn't make
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They go into the marketplace, just like
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your hard disk might come from one

IBM is a registered trademark of
International Business Machines. Inc.
XT Conversion Kit is a trademark
of Great Lakes Computer Peripherals, Inc.

of four manufacturers. It's possible, in
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same hard disk that you'd get in our
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The Role of the Controller

But the hard disk is not the whole
story. It takes a controller card to get
your files from the hard disk to your
computer so you can use them.

The IBM XT has a good controller
card. Unfortunately, it is not designed
to take advantage of some of the ad-

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In Illinois (312) 884-7272

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Dealer Inquiries Invited

Circle 202 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 151

WE UNLEASH IK
POWERFUL GRAP

E WOMB'S MOST
hi KS TECHNOLOGY.

You'll never see Infocom's graphics
on any computer screen. Because
there's never been a computer built
by man that could handle the images
we produce. And, there never will be.
We draw our graphics from the
limitless imagery of your imagi-
nation—a technology so power-
ful, it makes any picture
that's ever come out of a
screen look like graffiti
by comparison. And
nobody knows how
to unleash your
imagination like
Infocom.

Through our
prose, your
imagination
i makes you part
of our stories,
in control of
what you do
and where you
go— yet unable
to predict or con-
trol the course of
events. You're con-
fronted with situa-
tions and logical puz-
zles the like of which you won't
find elsewhere . And you're immersed
in rich environments alive with per-
sonalities as real as any you'll meet
in the flesh— yet all the more vivid
because they're perceived directly by
your mind's eye, not through your
external senses. The method to this
magic? We've found the way to plug
our prose right into your psyche, and
catapult you into a whole new
dimension.

Take some tough critics' words
about our words. SOFTALK, for
example, called ZORK® Ill's prose
"far more graphic than any depiction
yet achieved by an adventure with
graphics." And the NEW YORK

TIMES saw fit to print that our
DEADLINE™ is "an amazing feat
of programming." Even a journal as
video-oriented as ELECTRONIC
GAMES found Infocom prose to be
such an eye-opener, they named one
of our games their Best Adventure
of 1983.

Better still, bring an Infocom game
home with you. Discover firsthand
why thousands upon thousands of
discriminating game players keep
turning everything we write into
instantaneous bestsellers.

Step up to Infocom. All words. No
graffiti. The secret reaches of your
mind are beckoning. A whole new
dimension is in there waiting for you.

(For more information on Infocom
games contact: Infocom, Inc., RO.
Box 855, Garden City, NY 11530.)

OTFOCOm

The next dimension.

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Making Life Easier for

Professional and Novice

Programmers

A visual programming technique simplifies program development

by Andy Pope, Geoff Kates, and Dan Fineberg

When the first microcomputers ap-
peared on the market, most program-
mers coded their applications in as-
sembly language because of limited
memory (less than 64K bytes) and
the need to optimize code for speed
of execution. The first debugging pro-
grams, designed for assembly-lan-
guage programs, came from semi-
conductor and operating-system ven-
dors. These products let program-
mers single-step through a program,
set software breakpoints, display and
alter central-processor registers and
system memory, and regain control of
a system after an error caused by a
program.

The next level of debugging in-
cluded the ability to symbolically de-
bug a program. Programmers no
longer had to set breakpoints at ma-
chine addresses; breakpoints could
be set at either a particular line in the
program or at a particular name in
the program. In addition, conditional
breakpoints became more wide-
spread, meaning that a program
could be stopped when a condition
was met, such as when a variable
equaled a certain value.

Writing programs in assembly lan-
guage was fine in the 8-bit world
when only a limited number of
microprocessors (e.g., the 6502 and
the Z80) and operating systems (e.g.,
Apple DOS and CP/M) were pre-
valent. But the arrival of 16-bit micro-

computers made the use of existing
high-level languages more attractive
for several reasons. First, 16-bit micro-
computers run faster and have less
severe memory constraints. Second,
a greater variety of microprocessors
(the 8086, Z8000, 68000, and 16032)
and operating systems (CP/M-86,
MS-DOS, Unix, Oasis, etc.) make the
transfer of software among different
machines virtually impossible in as-
sembly language but relatively sim-

As computer users and

programmers rely more

on screen icons, menus,

and color graphics,

they will be using

their minds in a

different way.

pie in high-level languages. The latest
trend shows C to be the language of
choice for systems software (because
it is closest to assembly language); C
and Pascal for word processors,
spreadsheets, and database-manage-
ment systems; and COBOL for the
vast majority of business applications
(see "Why COBOL for Business Ap-
plication Development?" on page
158).

The next logical step moved the de-
buggers from operating at the assem-

bly-level language source level to de-
bugging at the high-level language
source level. The first such products
simply took the various assembly-
level capabilities and transferred
them to the high-level languages. Al-
though a great improvement, these
products did not provide the neces-
sary user interface for a truly produc-
tive program-development environ-
ment.

Visual Programming Tools to
Improve Productivity

We studied the features needed to
make debugging tools more
user-friendly and productive. With
the previous debuggers, only two
ways existed to trace the flow of a
program. The single-step method
proves to be laborious with a large
program. The second method sets
breakpoints, creating a problem be-
cause a programmer knows only that
the program has reached a defined
point from a previously defined
point; the interim remains a mystery.

Another important debugging
issue was developing a "what-if"
capability to enable programmers to
simulate various scenarios. Other
critical areas were the screen-han-
dling capability and more flexible
breakpoint handling.

Visual Programming

So far, the quest for more effective

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 155

Micro Focus Programming Tools

To help increase programmer productiv-
ity and reduce the toil involved in writing
and debugging a COBOL program, Micro
Focus has developed a variety of visual pro-
gramming utilities. The Animator pro-
gram solves COBOL debugging problems
in a flexible manner. Animator lets a user
actually watch a program execute on the
screen. As each statement executes, the
cursor moves to the next statement. A user
can watch the flow of the program as it is
executed or "animated." Nine different ex-
ecution speeds are available, and the speed
can be set before the program is animated
or altered during the animation. This
animation is stopped either by a command
or when a breakpoint is reached. Normal
full-speed execution is allowed. In addition,
another command allows execution until
an IF statement is reached, allowing the
user to do what-if experiments when the
program branches.

Another desirable feature for program de-
bugging is flexible screen-handling. Too
many debuggers let the user scroll up and
down the screen only one line at a time.
Animator is very flexible in this area.
Screens can be scrolled up or down for
either a partial or complete screen at a time.
In addition, the user can jump to the start
or end of a file with a single command.

One of the nicest features supported is
split-screen operation. Two independent
areas of the program can be worked on at
the same time. Only the area where the
cursor is positioned is "active." In addition,
either window can be enlarged at the ex-
pense of the other.

It is sometimes necessary in debugging
a program to find a variable in the source
code and then monitor it as a program is
running. Rather than search through the
code line by line trying to locate the par-
ticular variable, Animator lets the pro-
grammer use a FIND command to locate
the variable. Once the variable has been
found, it can be monitored during anima-

tion, so after each line has been executed
the new value of the variable is displayed.
Once the problem has been found, code
normally has to be changed. In most other
environments, the user has to go back to
the original source code, alter it, and re-
compile it in order to try out the patch.
To save this effort, Animator allows the
user to instantly compile and execute one
or more lines of text. The programmer can
check out his patch before altering the
source code.

Other Visual Programming Tools

Advances in interactive, screen-oriented
programming tools have been concentrated
in the world of mini- and microcomputer-
based COBOL development. One reason
for this is that COBOL is popular in both
the data-processing world and the micro-
computer world, and these two segments
are converging because of the FORTUNE
1000 sales success of microcomputer
manufacturers such as IBM, Apple, DEC,
and others. COBOL is popular for large
and small business-application develop-
ment because of its strengths for applica-
tions that are I/O (input/output) intensive
and require heavy data manipulation.

With COBOL, a great deal of time can
be spent defining screen input and output.
This is a laborious task that can be auto-
mated with a forms generator. A forms
generator enables programmers to enter the
input and output screens they want direct-
ly onto the screen. It will produce the
COBOL source code required to make the
interactive screens functional.

Micro Focus's FORMS-2 is one exam-
ple of an advanced forms generator. It is
menu driven and easy to use. Experience
has shown that even nonprogrammers can
produce screens after only a few minutes
with it. Once FORMS-2 has created a
COBOL source file, the file can be incor-
porated into an application program by
using the COBOL COPY command.

and friendly user interfaces has con-
centrated on developing new ways
for the computer user and the pro-
grammer to interact with the system
via the screen. The desktop meta-
phor, mouse, windows, and icons in
Apple's Lisa computer provide an ex-
cellent example of this emphasis on
interactive visual devices.

As computer users and program-
mers rely more on screen icons,
menus, and color graphics, they will
be using their minds in a different
way. Previously, programming
emphasized calculation, codes, and
mathematical or verbal symbols. Ac-
cording to current medical theory,
computers require people to use the

left side of their brains more than
they normally do in everyday situa-
tions. The left hemisphere is, it is
thought, the brain's center of lan-
guage, calculation, and analytical
thinking. It works with logic, reason,
and the methodologies of computer
science.

The right hemisphere is thought to
be the visual side of the brain. It is
active in visual comprehension,
spatial construction, and nonverbal
ideas. It works with intuitive thought
and artistic creativity.

Recent advances in human inter-
faces to computers have worked to
balance the use of both hemispheres.
As a result, we can more intuitively
understand and use a computer sys-
tem and creatively apply artistic con-
cepts through computers.

Interactive use of computers via
visual devices not only makes com-
puters more accessible to users but
can make programming more pro-
ductive as well. We'll define produc-
tivity as a function of effectiveness,
efficiency, and quality. In turn, effec-
tiveness is the ability to meet objec-
tives, efficiency is how much output
results from how much input, and
quality is the level of satisfaction
gained from the product by the
customer.

Software tools to make program-
ming more visual can increase a pro-
grammer's effectiveness by enabling
him to meet more programming ob-
jectives. For example, a programmer
may use a source-code generator that
lets him "paint" interactive screen
formats directly onto the screen with
the keyboard (see "Micro Focus Pro-
gramming Tools" on this page). He
can automatically create interactive
screen-handling programs and devel-
op a more interactive application
package. For example, a payroll ap-
plication can include more interactive
input screens and menus for data
entry because the displays take less
time to create.

Visual programming tools increase
a programmer's efficiency by en-
abling him to get more done in less
time or at a lower cost. A debugger
that "animates" the program's source
code on the screen and lets the pro-
grammer engage in what-if analysis

156 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Why COBOL for Business Application Development?

In May 1959, a group of computer users
and manufacturers met at the Pentagon.
They expressed the aim to design a "com-
mon business-oriented language (COBOL)
independent of any make or model of com-
puter, open-ended and stated both in an
English and a narrative form."

This group grew into the Committee on
Data Systems Languages (CODASYL),
the guiding force behind the evolution of
the COBOL language. The first version of
COBOL appeared seven months later in
January 1960. Now, almost 24 years later,
there is more than $100 billion invested in
COBOL applications worldwide.

COBOL, the Business-Oriented
Language

For a typical business application such
as a general ledger, a programming lan-
guage is needed that offers the ability to
organize and handle large amounts of data
and the facility to manipulate this data.
For example, a business application devel-
oper needs to be able to add, subtract,
multiply, and divide, and he also needs the
facility to produce reports and printouts in
an easy, efficient manner. He does not need
the facility to handle matrices and complex
mathematical functions as in a scientific
application.

These needs have been addressed by

COBOL in several ways. First, approx-
imately half of the language is dedicated
to methods of file-handling. For example,
a data-file can be accessed as a sequential
file (one record following on from the pre-
vious one); an indexed sequential file (data
can be accessed according to a key field that
is contained in each record); or a relative
file (a data record can be referenced accord-
ing to its position in the file). Second, a
sort module permits the reorganization of
data files according to complex user-defined
parameters. Third, COBOL provided sim-
ple commands such as ADD, SUBTRACT,
MULTIPLY, and DIVIDE.

In addition to these basic features,
COBOL offers an easy self-documenting
format. A COBOL program looks like
English composition, with paragraphs,
sentences, verbs, and the ability to use
easy-to-understand data names such as
TAX REBATE, ACCOUNTING
PERIOD, NET PROFIT, and so on.
Superimposed upon this is a "dictionary"
called the DATA DIVISION that relates
the data names to memory locations within
the computer.

These features mean COBOL application
developers benefit by being able to create
programs that are easily understood and
can be read by nonscientific computer
users, and the applications can provide an
easier-to-use human interface.

COBOL Is Standard and Portable

COBOL evolved from the first meeting
of the CODASYL committee. The commit-
tee still meets six times a year for four days
at a time. The CODASYL committee cur-
rently has 23 members, which comprises
12 implementors (compiler writers and ma-
jor mainframe manufacturers) and 11
users. The CODASYL committee produces
the COBOL Journal of Development
(fOD), which is regularly updated and re-
published every two to three years.

Periodically, the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), through the
COBOL committee (XJ34), produces a new
standard version of the language. This
standard was first published in 1968
(ANSI '68 COBOL) and then updated in
1974 (ANSI 74 COBOL). The ANSI stan-
dard is derived by examining the current
standard and the latest CODASYL ]OD
and then including new features and
removing some old features. The ANSI
Committee itself cannot propose features.

ANSI COBOL consists of 12 modules.
They are: NUCLEUS, TABLE-HAN-
DLING, SEQUENTIAL I/O, RELATIVE
I/O, INDEXED I/O, SORT-MERGE,
REPORT-WRITER, SEGMENTATION,
LIBRARY, DEBUG, INTER-PROGRAM
COMMUNICATION, and COMMUNI-
CATIONS.

Each of these modules, except for

to find logic errors can drastically re-
duce debugging time. More pro-
grams can then be written and stabil-
ized in a given period, and that in
turn reduces the cost of program
maintenance, the most expensive
aspect of large business-application
programs.

In addition, programmer satisfac-
tion increases because visual pro-
gramming removes the laborious ele-
ments of application development
and enables the programmer to
spend more time developing creative
solutions to application problems.

Programmers can also operate
more intuitively. For example, the
what-if analysis that is allowed by the
animation technique lets program-
mers test alternatives freely without
the risk of having to rewrite entire
blocks of code.

Greater use of intuition and crea-

tive problem-solving means pro-
gramming can be more fun and less
alienating. With the current shortage
of programmers, visual programming
can increase program production by
improving individual programmer
productivity and by attracting more
people to programming.

The Animation Technique

The animation technique, devel-
oped by Micro Focus for in-house
programming, is now available in
product form for programmers who
use Micro Focus COBOL compilers.
It makes prograiruriing easier the way
a stethoscope makes medical diag-
nosis easier. The doctor's tool enables
him to listen to the heart of a patient
and, in turn, use his medical train-
ing and expertise to trace symptoms
to find the cause of an illness. The
animation technique lets the ex-

perienced programmer trace the ef-
fects of an error through a new or old
COBOL program's logic and data
structure.

A typical example is the 10-year-old
payroll package that has been work-
ing fine week after week but sudden-
ly pays an employee a negative
amount. The programmer who wrote
the program has long since left the
company, and the data-processing
staff has to find the very subtle
anomaly in the program logic that
caused the negative payment. With-
out a debugging tool such as
Animator, the process would be done
in one of two ways: the data-process-
ing department would obtain a
source-code listing and trace through
it, trying to reproduce the error; or
a DISPLAY statement and some de-
bugging logic (e.g., IF < error condi-
tion > STOP RUN) would be inserted

158 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

REPORT WRITER, has been split into
two subsets, the LEVEL I specification and
the full LEVEL II specification. The mini-
mum ANSI standard COBOL compiler
consists of a LEVEL I specification for the
NUCLEUS, TABLE-HANDLING, and
SEQUENTIAL I/O.

Superimposed upon ANSI standard
COBOL is a further standard that has been
developed to meet the needs of the U.S.
Government. It is called Federal Standard
COBOL. The Federal Standard designates
four ANSI COBOL levels of implementa-
tion: Low, Low-Intermediate, High-
Intermediate, and High.

Furthermore, the Federal Computer Test-
ing Center (FCTC), which is part of the
U.S. Government General Services Ad-
ministration (GSA), tests each COBOL
compiler for compliance with the Federal
COBOL standard. It does this by using a
suite of programs comprising 225,000 lines
and 5500 individual tests to check (and
break, if possible) COBOL compilers. A
compiler is tested at the implementor's
claimed level and then placed on the Cer-
tified Compiler List either "with errors"
or "with zero errors." For example, Micro
Focus's LEVEL II COBOL compilers are
GSA certified at the High Level with zero
errors. The certification is valid for one
year, then the compiler must be retested.

The result of these standards is that

COBOL source code is portable across dif-
ferent machines, operating systems, and
even different implementations of a
COBOL compiler.

A New ANSI Standard for
COBOL

The ANSI COBOL Committee (X3J4)
has prepared amendments to the COBOL
language that are to be incorporated in a
new ANSI standard. The new standard,
while it clarifies many ambiguities and
makes the language more structured, does
not address interactive screen-handling or
record-locking facilities.

The addition of nonstandard interactive
screen-handling facilities, such as those
used by Animator, is vital in microcom-
puter-based COBOL compilers because
micros are more personal and interactive
in nature than the larger, number-crunch-
ing mainframe machines.

Nonstandard record-locking facilities
have also been developed to protect users
from simultaneous record updates in multi-
user microcomputer environments. An ex-
ample of such a record- locking facility is
Micro Focus's FILESHARE for MP/M-
family and TurboDOS-based systems.

Until the ANSI standard addresses these
facilities, implementors will have to con-
tinue developing nonstandard screen-han-
dling and record-locking additions to

COBOL or agree on de facto standards to
meet the needs of the emerging corporate
microcomputer marketplace.

The current ANSI approach is to include
in COBOL new program constructs and
statements as well as rules governing
nested programs.

Nezv constructs include conditional
statement terminators such as END-IF, a
null statement called CONTINUE, a case-
type multibranch statement called
EVALUATE, an in-line looping construct
called PERFORM that noiv includes
END-PERFORM, and a "test after loop-
ing" construct.

Another significant change is a new IN-
ITIALIZE statement that is used to in-
itialize an entire record or any type of data
item to specified values. In addition, the
nezv standard lets programmers MOVE
data from an edited data item to an un-
edited one. Finally, the standard permits
a new way of specifying the length of vari-
able records. Each such record length can
be stored in the name of the WORKING
STORAGE data-item that is specified in
the FILE DESCRIPTION ENTRY. Pro-
grammers will be able to read a record and
rewrite it with a different length for indexed
or relative files as well as SORT and
MERGE variable-length records.

in the source code and the program
then recompiled and run. The sec-
ond method results in the computer
displaying "snapshots" of the data at
the points where DISPLAY state-
ments were inserted. The program-
mer can then look through "win-
dows" in the program to gain a bet-
ter understanding (still using the
printed listing) of what the program
is doing.

With Animator, the situation is
completely different. Programmers
can not only set breakpoints to zero
in on error conditions but can step
through any portion of the source
code, look at the data, modify the
data, and go through the code again,
thus engaging in "what-if" analysis
as they go back and forth between
the logic and the data.

Programmers can "zoom" through
part of the program at near-normal

execution speed, then step through
the source code line by line at any
position in the program that they
choose. This is done at any speed re-
quired to allow programmers to fol-
low and understand the program
logic.

Animator lets programmers inter-
act with a COBOL program in a way
that is not otherwise possible. It
enables them to select the parts of a
program to look at, choose how often
they will look at them, choose what
data to use to demonstrate the code
being looked at, and control the
speed at which the code will run.

A programmer using Animator can
examine different blocks of the pro-
gram to diagnose an error. He can
chase the symptoms through the dif-
ferent areas of the program until he
locates the error, without having to
run the program over and over again.

Making Programming More Fun

The animation technique takes the
routine debugging burden off pro-
grammers so they can devote their
time to more creative tasks such as
new-program development. And by
cutting their backlog, programmers
have more time to write better,
higher-quality programs.

The animation technique elimi-
nates the drudgery of debugging by
making the computer do the comput-
ing tasks that programmers had pre-
viously done. Before the animation
technique, programmers who were
debugging programs had to simulate
the operation of a computer in their
minds.

Learning Someone Else's Program

Animator lets programmers learn
someone else's program by showing

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 159

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how blocks of code are related. Thus,
programmers can understand the
overall flow of the program. They can
find out what the blocks are, what
they do, and how they are linked
together simply by tracing the pro-
gram execution through the source
code. By seeing the structure of a pro-
gram, programmers can find where
an error will show up once they have
seen the symptoms.

To learn a COBOL program in
more detail, programmers can use
the Animator trace functions and en-
gage in "what-if" analysis within the
program blocks. This means pro-
grammers can, if need be, gain an ex-
pert understanding of the precise
consequences of any data value
change and its implications in each
module of the program. They can
watch the logic flow step by step and
switch back and forth between the
code and the data to see the precise
relationship between individual
source-code statements and incre-
mental changes in the data structure.

A Concrete Programming
Environment

The animation technique turns
analysis of programs into a concrete
process. Without animation, analysis
is an abstract process because the
programmer has to assume how the
logic should operate. Using the
abstract process, the novice may
overlook a subtle yet catastrophic de-
tail in the logic.

Animator makes program analysis
concrete by enabling programmers to
see the occurrence of the catastrophe
right before their eyes, on the screen.
Animation shows what the program
says and does, not what program-
mers hope or think the program says.
With concrete information on what
their programs are doing, program-
mers can test various alternatives and
choose the best logic routines for
their applications, with zero errors. ■

Andy Pope, technical specialist, Geoff Kates, prod-
uct marketing manager, and Dan Fineberg, market-
ing communications manager, are part of Micro
Focus Inc. (2465 East Bayshore Rd., Suite 400, Palo
Alto, CA 94303), an international supplier of micro-
computer software for business-application develop-
ment.

160 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 413 on inquiry card.

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

A logical program design, not fancy technology,
makes software more useful

by Martin Dean

processed or organized. For example,
if you want to calculate the distance
from A to B, you ask: "What is the
rate of speed?" and "What is the time
it took to travel the distance?" Then
you would put the values into vari-
ables named R and T. The BASIC
programmer simply needs to say
"D = R*T" and "PRINT D", and the
answer appears on the screen.

Enter the more advanced program-
mer, conversant with machine lan-
guage, C, FORTRAN, 8080 assembly
language, cross-assembly language,
and DIBOL. Now the distance pro-
gram becomes more sophisticated.
"Enter here the rate of speed traveled
in the interval, as an average, in miles
per hour," and "Enter here the period
expressed in minutes and seconds
that it took to travel the distance as
described in the distance D." And
then things became complicated.
And, of course, when things became
complicated, the programmers had
an answer for those less fortunate: an
innovation called "extensive
documentation." They gave us elo-
quent definitions such as "a list is a
set of values assigned to positional

I have never yet seen an article in
a computer magazine that could tell
me how to design software. As a mat-
ter of fact, I have never seen an arti-
cle anywhere that details the mys-
teries of software design. I've even
wondered if it was a plot to deny
users the inside information about
how the software that we used was
created. Surely there ought to be an
article where the author says, "I had
this problem, and I used this design
philosophy to make a piece of soft-
ware to solve the problem in the sim-
plest, most direct way."

This is that kind of article.

Background

When I first discovered software, I
was amazed that so many people
knew BASIC. Four or five years ago,
only two kinds of software design ex-
isted. The first (the kind that most of
us learn first) is called basic BASIC.
Because of BASIC'S simple input and
print statements, the design structure
of a program can be rather simple
and uncomplicated: input the infor-
mation into the program, and print
the information out when it has been

element numbers." Oh! Often 400
pages of documentation described
what the rest of American industry
could explain in 8.

When it became clear that pro-
grammers couldn't solve their own
problems, hardware manufacturers
got into the act. Now we have mice
and windows to make our computer
lives easier and more user-friendly.

Let me state my opinion of this as
clearly as possible: it's all nonsense.

First, computer software design got
the wrong start when we, in our awe
of programmers, let them get away
with murder: murder of the English
language, murder of common sense,
and surely murder of the concept
"easy to use."

Then we let the programmers de-
sign the software. This may sound
obvious, but it isn't. Sure, program-
mers write the code that makes the
computer work, but that doesn't give
them the right to design how infor-
mation goes in and how it comes out.

Imagine for a moment that we let
experts in instructional technology or
people with a sense of discipline and
common sense design what is called

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

161

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"the front end," that portion of the
software that bridges the gap be-
tween the computer program itself
and our eyes, brains, and fingers.
Imagine what software would be like if
we didn't ever have to read messages
like "Do you want the seventh bit to
be a stop bit . . . yes or no?" Imagine
messages in real English, organized
in a fashion that has real meaning for
those of us who use them.

An Alternative

I was several months into the de-
sign of a database manager for my
company before I realized what a
strange turn the direction of software
design had taken. There was no
literature that described the fun-
damentals of microcomputer soft-
ware design, and theorists were still
postulating the discoveries of Piaget
and Vygotsky as reliable beginning
points for software design. What had
become the established norm for
good software design was not good
software but simply software that
sold. As recently as the fall of 1982,
microcomputer software entering the
marketplace was distinguished by
fatter manuals, more commands, and
a complexity approaching unusabil-
ity.

Thus, I concluded that even before
I could attack the particular problem
that I had been given, I had to go
back and look at the history of soft-
ware screen design and then take a
whole new approach to it. The result
was amazing. Three words were the
key to my design— simplify, simplify,
simplify.

To do that, radical emotional sur-
gery is required. You have to throw
out your admiration for other soft-
ware programs, clear your mind of
brilliantly executed screens, disregard
nifty features, and excise all thoughts
of clever though complex functions.
Pledge yourself instead to starting
fresh. Think only of the first- time
user, the scared, irritable novice who
for the first time must not only work
with a computer but do something
useful with it.

Today's user is so different from
yesterday's pioneer that the design
criteria once applied are now totally
inappropriate. Today's user is no

162 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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longer the engineering-oriented hob-
byist. Nor is he the adventurous,
chance-taking, first-one-on-the-block
user. All of these pioneers have
already bought their computers and
programs; now the field is left to
those of us who waited for $200 cal-
culators to cost $20.

Command-driven vs.
Menu-driven Software

The first design idea I had to throw
out was the way that choices are pre-
sented to the user, so I focused on the
difference between command-driven
and menu-driven software. Tradi-
tionally, command-driven software is
identified by the appearance of a dot
or a prompt on the screen and little
else. This type of software is rich with
hundreds of commands that are
usually invoked by pressing the Con-
trol key and a series of additional
alphabetic or numeric characters.
Software of this family is advertised
as being "complete, full of features,
and very powerful. "

But there's a problem with this
method. Imagine walking into your

favorite gourmet restaurant one eve-
ning and having the chef come to your
table and say, "Good news, we have
changed the way that you order food.
Now you can have anything that you
want. Just tell me what you want and
I'll make it for you." And there you
sit, trying to remember what sort of
sauce the veal came with last time
and whether it was pepper or pep-
percorns that you liked in your green
beans. Imagine a command-driven
restaurant. Then mourn for it when
it fails because no one knows what
to order. The same is true with soft-
ware. Users don't want to be able to
order anything that they can imagine.
They don't, in the main, even want
to imagine. They only want to get a
job done. Open-ended, command-
driven software is dead.

On the other hand, menu-driven
software is just what it says. The
screen offers a choice of things that
you can do and asks you to enter a
number or a letter corresponding to
your choice.

So I decided to have menus. Where
should I go from there?

I then looked at what I had to make
and how it had been made in the
past. In this case, I had to create a
relational database that could be used
by first-time businesspeople to pro-
duce something useful, a program
that was obviously worth the money
they paid the first time that they used
it. To do this, I knew I would have to
change entirely the way that data is
perceived, stored, and retrieved, so
that it would more closely resemble
the way that you and I store and re-
trieve information in our offices.

The Traditional Database

This is how it used to work: first,
the program starts with a totally
blank screen onto which you are al-
lowed to design the form that would
be filled in to create a record. Now,
of course, to be able to design this
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you want, what length those fields
will be, what type of data will be in
those fields, and so on. It leaves the
beginner paralyzed because, like
command-driven software, it offers
too many open-ended choices. Once

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164 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Inside Washington 206-496-5974.

Col-
Row

I

A
First Name
Text = 20

B
Last Name
Text = 15

C

Area Code

Number

D
Telephone
Text = 20

1
2
3
4

Albert
Bobby Sue
Tom
Jeannette

Finney
Jones
Wilson
Donner

212
211
312
313

345-9754
556-9088
678-9073
567-9234

Table 1: An on-screen chart for data entry. If the contents of a field are greater than
the chosen column width, the entry wraps around to display the entire contents.

Column-
Compare

I

First Name

Last Name

Area Code

Telephone

not =
LTE < =
GTE > =
LT <
GT >

W*

312

Table 2: A "test chart" that replaces Boolean logic in selecting records from a database.
Given the convention that * matches any string of characters, this chart asks for all records
with an area code of 312 and with a last name that doesn't begin with W.

you have designed your form, you
must enter the information into it,
just as you would for a job applica-
tion or an insurance policy.

But you're not done yet. Now that
you've got the information, how do
you get it organized and out? The or-
ganization of data is what differenti-
ates the computer from a card file.
Computers are best at sorting out all
your friends who have the same tele-
phone prefix you do or birthdays in
May. Unfortunately, when the pro-
grammers designed the way you ask
the computer for information, they
chose to stick with the same Boolean
logic they used to write their pro-
grams. Now for those of us who took
symbolic logic in college, Boolean
algebra is just a replay of old head-
aches. For those who didn't, forget
it — truth tables, logical separators,
and exclusive ORs are not what you
want to spend your time figuring out.

An Alternative Database

Four and a half months later, it
dawned on me that there was abso-
lutely no reason to retain any sem-
blance of the rules that had been de-

signed by database creators. With
that in mind, I stood for many days
at a large blackboard, trying to get to
the root of what a database is, how
it is perceived, and how it can be
used. I finally derived from those ses-
sions an intuitive breakdown of the
basic database functions. First, I
needed a new way to set up the for-
mat for storing information. This
meant that I had to eliminate the re-
quirement that the user understand
the concepts of fields, records, and
(of course) delimiters.

Before becoming involved with
computers, I reasoned, I had stored
information and had shown it to
others without even knowing what
a database was. Ever since I was a
sophomore in high school and com-
pared the economic, political, reli-
gious, and agricultural aspects of
communism, socialism, and
democracy, I had used charts. Why
not use them now?

At the same time, why not make
the definition of a data field as auto-
matic as selecting choices from a
menu?

The design I came up with is

shown in table 1. Across the top are
three rows of information. The top
row simply labels the columns A, B,
C, and D. The next row is the
description of the columns, which
programmers call the field descrip-
tors. The third row tells the program
what type of information it should be
expecting. Rather than adopt the
standards once again, I chose to use
more meaningful descriptors such as
Date, $, Number, Text, and Math
(which is computed automatically
when you enter a formula).

From there on the design of the
chart was just plain puzzle-solving
fun. How wide should the columns
of the chart be? Should they be vari-
able in width? Well, let's look at the
charts I had made before I discovered
computers. When there was too
much text, what did I do? I started
over with a new chart. Unfortunate-
ly, that wouldn't work here.

The main problem I had with my
chart idea involved entering text. I
wanted to make each field a "memo
pad" area that could contain
messages of widely varying lengths,
and I wanted to display the whole
field. Well, if I did that I could end
up with a chart that was much wider
than the screen. From word process-
ing, I borrowed the idea of wrapping
text onto multiple lines. From that,
I conceived the notion that the user
should be able to define both the
number of characters that go into a
field and the field's display width on
the screen. If a given field is wider
than its display area, its text "wraps
around" and takes as many lines as
is needed to display the entire field.

I decided that money, numbers,
dates (in six different formats), times
(in two different formats), and text
would make up the choices of data
styles. Then my mind hung up on
the word "data." I had overheard
this marvelous phrase: "data you
store, information you use." I made
a conscious decision then that I
would never again refer to what was
being stored as data but would use
the term information instead.

Dealing with Logic

Now I had to solve the problem of
how to sort information without re-

166 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Keyboard (option)

Circle 161 on inquiry card.

Column-
Compare

I

A
First Name

B
Last Name

C
Area Code

D
Telephone

1

not =
LTE < =
GTE > =
LT <
GT >

W*

312

II

not =
LTE < =
GTE > =
LT <
GT >

W*

415

Table 3: A more complicated test chart. The six lines of a test chart (called a section)
are duplicated for each logical OR operation in the record-selection criteria. This test chart
finds all records that have an area code of either 312 or 415 and a last name that doesn't
begin with W.

Col. letter to sort by :B
Ascending = A
Descending = D

A

Table 4: Sorting selected records. Records selected by a test chart can be sorted by as many
as five keys (the keys are listed in order of decreasing importance). Here, the selected records
are to be sorted in ascending order by Last Name (the name of a field in table 1).

sorting to complex formulas and
Boolean logic. Traditionally, you had
to use rigid algebraic equations to
describe which pieces of data were to
be extracted and the conditions for
that extraction. Common requests
such as the following required
Boolean expressions more complex
than simple and/or/not statements:

Invite to the awards banquet all
those salespeople who sold at
least 25,000 auto parts in August
or September, or who exceeded
their quotas in either of those
months.

Imagine drafting a Boolean statement
that describes this ordinary office
request:

Give me the names of customers
who live in California and who
have made purchases in the last
six months. I want the list ordered
from the greatest number of pur-
chases to the least with the cus-
tomers' names alphabetized
within the list.

As background, you should know
that many years ago I had the Her-
culean task of teaching symbolic logic
to college students. I was a total fail-
ure. Symbolic logic is easy for some
and impossible for others, and my
teaching could not change that.
How, then, could I formulate a sys-
tem to allow the average office
worker to make these kinds of
choices?

Task analysis was the answer. Let
me explain. When we do something,
it's usually done in measurable
steps. The analysis of those steps—
what is to be done, and in what
order— is task analysis. Using that
approach, it was easy for me to get
rid of Boolean formulas. I just had to
look at what I needed to do— break
it down into discrete, definable
steps, and look at it as if it were an
instruction book for assembling a
food blender.

Let's use a typical mailing list with
names, addresses, and telephone
numbers for our analysis. The first
thing we have to do is to decide what
is important: what criteria we want

to establish for the information we
will extract from our list.

The best graphic example I can give
is the test that I take every couple of
years at the California Department of
Motor Vehicles. (You've probably
taken a similar test.) I bring the test
to the counter, and the clerk lays a
template over it to see what answers
appear in the little windows of the
template. This is the same way that
I can test for certain information in
my mailing list. When I say that I
want only people with 312 area codes
whose last names don't begin with
W, I'm actually creating an electronic
template. I imagined the telephone
information in the form of a chart
that looks like table 1. I figured that
if I created an electronic template that
would allow certain information on
my chart to "show through" while
other information would be con-
cealed, I would have sidestepped the
whole formula-writing process.

But the template would have to be
different from a paper with squares
cut out of it. It would have to specify
which columns of the chart we
wanted to test and what we want to
test for. Look at the test chart in table
2, which selects only customers
whose area codes are 312 and whose
last names start with any letter except
W (the asterisk is used to match any
additional letters in that field).

Now, if you will excuse the fancy
talk, what we've got here is a two-
dimensional decision matrix (which
we will call a test chart). It is two-
dimensional in that we read from the
top down and from left to right to fill
in the information— just like finding
location F-4 on a city map. Look at
what we did. Under the area code
column, we read from the left and
found an equal sign. On the "equal
sign" row, we entered 312. We read
that as meaning "Pick out area codes
that equal 312." Similarly, the next
row reads "Choose any last name
that does not equal a group of letters
beginning with W"

A More Sophisticated Test Chart

If I thought of the test chart as a
filter, everything made sense. But,
you ask, "That takes care of the
ANDs, but what about OR? How do

168 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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(Area code changes to (818). effective January 1984)
Circle 291 on inquiry card.

(5a)

Col-

Row

1

A
Salesper
Text = 20

B
Quota
Number

C
#Parts
Number

D

Month

Number

E

% Quota

Math

1

Miller,
Alan

20,000

21,000

9

1.05

2

Alberts,
Karen

30,000

28,000

8

0.93

3

4
5

Martin,
T.W.

1500

1800

7

1.20

(5b)

Use formulas with ( +
Column E will be eq

-,*,/) for example (A + B)*5, A-B/C
lal to:

A + B + C

Table 5: The Math data type. When a data column is given the type Math (as shown
in table 5a), the database prompts for a formula by which to calculate that column 's value
for a given row (table 5b).

Column-
Compare

1

A
Salesper

B
Quota

C
#Parts

D
Month

E
% Quota

I

not =
LTE < =
GTE > =

LT <
GT >

25,000

9
8

II

not =
LTE < =
GTE > =
LT <
GT >

9
8

1

Table 6: A test chart to select the employees who sold at least 25, 000 parts in either August
or September or who met their quota in either of those two months.

you select out area codes 312 OR
415?" Well, suppose I make another
section of the test chart and add the
rule "If you can pass one section of
the test, you'll pass the whole test."
Then the test looks like table 3. Notice
that we have created two sections
labeled with roman numerals. The
line that divides them is the OR line.
All area codes beginning with 312 OR
415 will pass the test, and last names
beginning with "W" will be excluded
in both cases. Simple enough.

Information Please, the product
created out of this exercise, allows
five different OR sections. The ANDs
within the section are limited only by
the number of columns in the chart-
up to 255.

It took me more than four months
to create this reduction of algebraic
equations. I experimented with deci-
sion trees, sifting concepts, and re-
ductions of choice , pathways.
Ultimately, I found that, as usual,
common kitchen and schoolroom
metaphors turned out to be the best:
the filter and the test.

Sorting Results

With my test chart designed, it was
easy to see how the program could
do sorting. Because I alphabetized
the columns across the top of my test
chart, I could use the letters of the col-
umns for sorting. First, the program
gives me the option of sorting direct-
ly from the test-chart screen. When

I indicate that I want to sort, I then
tell the program which column or
columns I want to sort by, and in
what order. If I want to alphabetize
my mailing list, I should enter my
criterion as shown in table 4.

Because I had specified whether a
column was text or numeric when I
created my information entry chart,
the program now knows whether to
sort alphabetically or numerically.

Solving Complicated Queries

Now let's go back to the office ex-
amples I gave earlier and see how
they are handled with this charting
method of entering and testing
information.

The first problem asks us to find
the salespeople who sold at least
25,000 auto parts in August or Sep-
tember or who exceeded their quotas
in at least one of those months. Let's
assume that we have some informa-
tion entered into this chart (see table
5a).

On this information chart we speci-
fied that the Salesperson column
would be text by pressing T, that the
width of the column would be 10 by
typing "10," and that the number of
characters in the column could be up
to 20 by typing "20." This allows for
narrow columns (so more can be
viewed at once on the screen) but
also permits entry of an extensive
amount of information. The next
three columns were called Number
columns by pressing N after each col-
umn name was entered.

Now the last column is interesting.
It's a Math column. I wanted this
chart to be able to calculate just like
a spreadsheet, and that's how it
works. After you press M for Math,
the message of table 5b appears.

Then we enter the formula. To get
the percent of quota each salesperson
met, we enter the formula in terms
of column letters: "C/B" (the number
of parts sold divided by the quota).
This formula is calculated instantly
each time the cursor moves to a row
in the % Quota column.

After all the information is entered
(maybe we have figures for several
months), we want to find out who
sold over 25,000 parts or at least met
their quotas in August or September.

170 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

QPP-

e peace of mind computer.

Now, the QDP-300, our third generation computer,
is available with the powerful TurboDOSt operating
system as well as CP/M* and MP/MII* The QDP-300
now offers you the ultimate in single or multi-user
performance. Equipped with TurboDOS, the
QDP-300 gives you a multiple-CPU system with
Cache buffering to bring a new dimension of speed
to microcomputers. Now you can have speed, versa-
tility, and an abundance of compatible software
for virtually any application. User-friendly has a
whole new meaning with the QDP-300's on-line
"Help" system. It even gives untrained operators
access to its full power. Rugged and reliable, the
QDP-300 is easily expandable and upgradeable as
your computer needs grow. All this, plus a one
year, on-site warranty with service provided by
General Electric Apparatus and Engineering Services,
with more than 50 service locations nationwide.
And last but far from least, you will be pleasantly
surprised at the QDP-300's price tag. Now you
know why we call it the peace of mind computer.

■ More Versatility — TurboDOS multi-user/
multi-processor system offers advanced network-
ing to give all users full access to disks, printers,
modems, and other peripherals plus a minimum
of!28KBRAMperuser.

■ More Speed — Unique integrated 'Cache Mem-
ory' operation permits faster loading of programs
and files, making the QDP-300 one of the fastest
micro-systems on the market.

■ More Power — Multi-processor QDP-300
system uses a 6 MHz Z80B** CPU for each user
providing fast, efficient Master/Slave networking.

■ More Storage -8" DSDD floppy disk drives or
hard disk storage of over 30 MB, with mag tape
cartridge backup option.

■ More Flexibility — Readily upgradeable
through modular and standard IEEE 696/S-100 bus
construction.

Call or write for complete specifications and

literature. , Circle 360 on inquiry card,
fTurboDOS is a trademark of software 2000. Inc.

See us at

>COfllMH7MI '83

November 28-December 2, 1983
Las Vegas Convention Center

Booth #4727

QUASAR DAIA PRODUCTS

» t

computer systems

10330 Brecksville Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44141
(216) 5260838, Telex: 241596

Spei locations

•i T/M.imlMI'

I'/m are trademarks

ii'.iii'h Gup.

li-iii.uk el ZilogCorp

(7a)

Col-

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

Row

Customer

Street

City

State

Zip

Month

Purchase

I

Text = 30

Text = 30

Text = 20

Text = 20

Number

Number

$

(7b)

Column-*

A

B

C

D

Compare

1

Customer

State

Month

Purchase

=

CA

not =

LTE < =

11

GTE > =

6

0

LT <

GT >

Table 7: Another test chart. Given the information chart of table 7a, the test chart of

table 7b selects the records of all California clients who have made a purchase between

June and November.

We find this out once we create the
test chart of table 6. When we give
the test, the results are displayed im-
mediately. Only Miller and Alberts
pass.

The second problem, which I cited
earlier (on page 168), is solved in the
same way but also involves the extra
step of sorting. We not only need to
select the California customers who

made purchases in the last six
months (let's assume it's December,
and we'll be searching June through
November), but we must arrange the
purchase amounts numerically from
largest purchase to smallest and then
order the customers' names alpha-
betically from A to Z within the list.
Assume that our information chart
has the headings given in table 7a;

then our test chart will look like table
7b. Once the test information is
entered, we simply state that we
want to sort the Purchase column in
descending order and the Customer
column in ascending order. Our
problem is solved.

Notice that the graphics are simple
yet clear. You don't need windows or
mice to make charts or to analyze the
information in them. The last thing
that office workers with messy desks
want is to have a messy computer
screen. Fancy fonts, graphics, and
anything that does not immediately
enhance the user's understanding of
the task are simply other learning
barriers. Good software will lower
barriers, not raise them, and will
simplify work, not make it more
complex. ■

Martin Dean, chairman of the board of Select
hi formation Systems (919 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.,
Kentficld, CA 94904), was a lawyer for 15 years
before beginning Select Information Systems, a com-
pany he started out of his dissatisfaction with ex-
isting microcomputer sofhvare. Among his interests
are photography and furniture building.

PR IfT SFRVICE INTEGR ITY Y0U OWE IT T0 yourself to call usi

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Standard card w/one serial port IS1 1 and clock/calendar $129

Additional Parallel IP), Garni.- (Gl, or Serial 2 (S2) pur; add $35 ea.

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Prices reflect
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! by UPS Surface, 5% by UPS Air or Parcel Post. COD's requires 20% deposit. Calif.

172 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 165 on Inquiry card.

It's Fast In Any Language.

When it comes to software
development, the difference between
a Sage IV computer and other micros
is like day and night.

With the Sage Computer it'll take
you fewer days and nights to finish
your program.

Speed is the reason. Speed resulting
from the fast MC68000 microprocessor,
fast architecture, fast operating
systems, and blinding transfer rates.

The fact is, even we are surprised by
the amount of software that's developed
on Sage Computers.

So if you're a programmer,
maybe you should
spend some time
learning how
much time you
could save using a
Sage IV.

The Hottest Languages
And Operating Systems.

Programs in nearly all of the important
languages can be written on the Sage
computer.

Included in the price is the p-SYSTEM
operating system which supports Pascal,
BASIC, and FORTRAN.

Other operating systems are optional.
For UNIX fans there's IDRIS, which
runs up to twice as fast (even without
a Sage computer). IDRIS conforms to
/USR/Group Standards Committee

standards and programs written under
it are highly portable to other micros.
CP/M advocates please note that
Digital Research has developed CP/M-
68K for Sage hardware, providing a
truly complete software development
environment. Versions of Pascal,
BASIC, C-BASIC, C, and FORTRAN
77, as well as a very fast APL, may
be used under this operating system.
The Sage IV is also blindingly fast when

running hyperFORTH with its extended
programmer and user interfaces.

Besides IDRIS, other Multi-User
operating systems that run on the Sage
Computer are PDOS, A/IBOS, and
MIRAGE.

A log of excitement has
been brewing in the Pascal
World over Niklaus
Wirth'snew
MODULA2— and
it's available for Sage
computers. So is ADA,
for the record.

If you found your language here,
you just found your computer. The
16-bit, 2-million operation/sec Sage IV
micro with up to one MByte RAM and
18-MByte internal hard disk.

For more information and the name
of your nearest SAGE dealer, call us
today. And be sure to ask about our
new soft ware catalog describing over
200 application programs for Sage
computers.

Sage Computer Corporate Office,
4905 Energy Way, Reno, Nevada
89502. Phone (702) 322-6868
TWX: 910-395-6073/SAGE RNO

Eastern United States

Sage Computer
15 New England
Executive Park
Suite 120, Burlington, MA
01803(617)229-6868

© 1983 Sage Computer all rights reserved
Sage & Sage IV are trademarks of
Sage Computer

mwzr

Circle 378 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

173

COMPLETE

DATA COMMUNICATIONS

SYSTEM NOW AVAILABLE

AT YOUR NEAREST

OUTLET

Introducing

Novation PC1200B™ Modem

+

Crosstalk XVI '"software

+

all accessories.

Access 1-2-3 is a simple idea.

It means you can now walk
into your nearest computer
outlet, buy one package off
the shelf and walk out with
the best fully integrated communications
system for your personal computer.

What we've done is taken the best 1200 Baud modem7
our PC1200B — plus Crosstalk XVI, the best available
software — added instructions and whatever else is
needed for your particular computer — and put them all
in one box.

The advantages:

First, you get a total system. No missing parts. No
wrong parts, either. You can be sure you have all you
need and all you need to know.

Second, it's the best system you can put together.
Absolutely no compromises. You simply take it home, open
the box, hook it up, and start up. Your only surprise will
be how really easy it all works.

The best modem.

It's our PC1200B modem in a format to fit your par-
ticular computer.

The Large Scale Integrated circuitry is our own 3rd
and 4th generation design. It's the most advanced tech-
nology, eliminating all kinds of parts and running better
and cooler.

The right software.

The Crosstalk XVI programmers have
pulled off a little magic. Without com-
promising a bit on all the things you want
and need to do, they've made them all
easier to do on our PC1200B modem.

No wonder Crosstalk XVI is recog-
nized as the best in its field.

Easy 1-2-3 instructions.

The new instructions that go
with the Access 1-2-3 series
help make your life
easier, too. You don't
have to know a byte
from a baud to get
going. High-tech talk
is out. Plain English is in.

Cables and connectors.

If your particular computer needs
a cable and connector, they'll be in the package. No big
deal, of course — unless you've gone through the frustra-
tion of piecing together a system with something less
than expert help. Well, no need to worry here. With
Access 1-2-3 it doesn't matter who's minding the store.

The expertise is built in.

Available now.

IBM PC, IBM PC XT,
Columbia Multi-Personal,
Compaq Portable, Corona
Portable PC.

The first models in our Access 1-2-3 series
are at your dealers right now.

More models are being added and we'll
soon cover all of the important personal
computers. See your dealer for the latest list.

And the price.

Packaging up a sensible system has let us do some-
thing sensible for the price, too. Entire system —
only $595.

Included: CompuServe

Your Access 1-2-3 system now carries an extra
bonus — two hours of free demonstration time on one of
the most extensive and best data banks, CompuServe. A
nice way for your computer to meet the data world.

Talk to your dealer today.

All of the features you want and need.

• LSI smart modem, 300 or 1200 baud, full duplex, uses just one
slot on all models.

• Crosstalk XVI software.

• Directory for single stroke log-on to 40 separate entries.

• Auto dial (TouchTone or rotary), auto log-on, auto answer.

• Telephone line status, busy detect and automatic redial.

• Auto monitoring through computer speaker.

• Captured data to printer, disk or buffer transfer.

• Disk to disk transfer.

• Extensive error-checking and automatic retransmission.

• Display of transmission time for each file with baud rate and
available disk space.

• Complete on-line control of stop bits, parity, baud rates, duplex.

• Modem self-test .

• Full 2 year warranty.

ACCESS 1-2-3 by

Circle 320 on inquiry card.

Novation

Novation, Inc. , 20409 Prairie St. , Box 2875
Chatsworth, CA 91311 • (800) 423-5419
In California: (213) 996-5060

Access 1-2-3 and PO200Bare trademarks of Novation, Inc.
Crosstalk XVI is a trademark of Microstuf Inc.

Pulse

brown disc

Pu/se

THE
COMPUTER'S

HEARTBE

The Universal 5V4" Diskettes.
NEW - Pulse I - 48 TPI

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FOR USE WITH ALL PCs

brown disc manufacturing, inc.

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(800) 654-4871 TELEX 450827

176 BYTE December 1983

We're Driving the
Drive Market.

Circle 53 on inquiry card.

Integrating Voice in the
Office World

How "voice recognition" and "voice as data"
simplify the user interface in the business world

If industry predictions are correct,
by the end of the decade 80 percent
of the work force in the United States
will be engaged in office work and in-
formation handling. As the number
of office workers increases, so does
the competition for the growing
office computer market. Established
workstation manufacturers, new
start-up companies, and traditional
word-processor and communications
manufacturers are already rushing to
introduce office systems.

Most of these systems perform
some combination of these functions:
word processing, electronic spread-
sheet, electronic mail, and calendar
appointments. Some systems also
provide decision support and busi-
ness-graphics capabilities. Typically,
the purchase of such a system is
justified by the need for a particular
application; the user is willing to live
with a poor user interface or an in-
complete system to meet that im-
mediate need.

However, as the number and diver-
sity of users increases, office systems
must offer more integrated sets of ap-
plications with far better interfaces to
accommodate the needs of a broad
range of users and to eliminate ex-
pensive and time-consuming train-
ing.

Office System Interfaces

Current systems attempt to do this
by starting with a familiar model.

by Robert T. Nicholson

Some use the workstation screen to
represent a desktop, with small icons
(graphic symbols) used to depict ob-
jects that might be found in the office
(such as file folders or memos). Win-
dows on the screen contain the user's
current work, and the user may free-
ly interrupt one task to work on an-
other simply by moving to another
window (see photo 1).

To begin a new task, the user
"opens" one of the objects on the
desktop. The user selects the desired
object by pointing to an icon on the
screen using a mouse or cursor keys,
and then opens the object by press-
ing a button or key. When the object
is opened a new window is created
to display its contents.

Other activities, such as deleting,
mailing, or printing, can be chosen
by pressing a softkey. As shown in
photo 1, softkeys are function keys
whose tasks are labeled on the work-
station screen. Whenever the user
selects a function by pressing a key,
the labels change to show the new
options or functions that become
available.

These interfaces are a big improve-
ment over older systems, but they
still limit the user to communication
via the screen and the keyboard. One
way to overcome this limitation is to
integrate voice communication into
the computer system.

Voice is the most natural form of
human communication. It is faster

than typing, can be done from any-
where in the office, and does not re-
quire a keyboard (a fact that will
please many managers who have
resisted the idea of typing). In addi-
tion, psychologists and learning spe-
cialists believe that listening to infor-
mation, instead of reading it, may
speed learning and improve reten-
tion.

Voice Applications

The ability to record a spoken mes-
sage and store it digitally on a com-
puter system makes possible a whole
new range of applications.

Combined with electronic mail, the
digital recordings can be used as voice
messages. Office users can quickly
create short, impromptu messages
and dispatch them to other users of
the system without ever using a key-
board. It is also possible to provide
"mailbox" files for voice messages
and to allow users to call in over a
standard telephone to record and
play back their voice mail. This
voice-messaging process is especial-
ly important in large corporations
where managers and professionals
may spend 65 to 95 percent of their
time in communication.

Integrating telephone functions in-
to the desktop workstation has other
advantages: the system can maintain
a telephone directory for automatic
dialing and can allow the user to
leave a typed or recorded message

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

177

Photo 1: The workstation screen can be divided into several windows,
each dedicated to a particular task. In the background window are
the icons that represent various objects in the user's office. The two
windows nearer the front are being used to work on a spreadsheet
and a document. The labels on the softkeys at the bottom of the screen
allow the user to select functions to be performed.

Photo 2: The small window in the foreground contains a visual rep-
resentation of a recording made by the user. Solid lines show con-
tinuous speech, while breaks indicate pauses. The numbers mark ref-
erence points selected by the user. By moving the cursor around this
display and using INSERT and DELETE keys on the keyboard, the
user can edit the recording.

when someone doesn't answer.

Another important office function
is dictation and voice editing. A voice
editor allows the user to see and edit
a visual representation of what is be-
ing recorded, just as a word pro-
cessor allows the user to edit text. As
shown in photo 2, a line is drawn
while the user speaks, with breaks in
the line to show pauses. (This feed-
back provides a reassuring indication
that the system is working.) The
numbers shown are points that the
user has marked for future reference
using a Mark key. The visual repre-
sentation is important, because it
allows the user to go back over the
completed recording and insert or
delete recorded material using edit-
ing keys. The user can also find parts
of the recording to edit by using the
Rewind, Fast Forward, Play, and Stop
softkeys. Only when the recording
says exactly what the user wants to
say is it mailed to a secretary for
typing.

Similarly, voice input can be used
to "enter" data in a form, for later typ-
ing by a clerk or secretary. For exam-
ple, an executive could be prompted
for each of the fields on an expense-
report form and could verbally
record the expenses. The finished
"form" could then be sent to the ac-
counting department, where a clerk
could play back the responses and

type them into the accounting sys-
tem.

Voice recordings can also be used
for document annotation. Frequent-
ly, paper documents are passed
around an office for review and com-
ments. These comments are usually
scribbled in the margin or passed on
verbally when the document is
returned. To a large extent, this abili-
ty is lost when documents are circu-
lated in electronic form using mail
systems. With a voice annotation
scheme, however, users can record
verbal comments and then mail the
"marked" document back to its
creator. The location of each voice an-
notation is shown by a speaker sym-
bol in the margin of the document,
as shown in photo 3.

System output can also be en-
hanced via voice. To aid the user in
learning to use sophisticated features,
most systems today offer help func-
tions that provide on-line informa-
tion. The problem with these systems
is that there is no way to try an opera-
tion while reading the help instruc-
tions. This problem can be overcome
by providing an audio help facility (in
addition to the standard help text).
The user can then try out an opera-
tion while listening to a recorded
help tutorial. Using prerecorded in-
structional material, full on-line train-
ing systems could be developed to

verbally correct the user as mistakes
are made.

Other uses for voice output could
include notification of events ("You
have an urgent message waiting")
and elaboration or emphasis ("Note
that earning are 60 percent over
projections").

These applications share one im-
portant attribute: the system treats
the recorded information as data and
has no knowledge of its content or
meaning. Applications of this type
are called voice or voice-as-data func-
tions, to distinguish them from voice-
recognition applications, which in-
volve processing and recognition of
the audio input.

To date, speech input has been
used mostly in applications where
"hands-free" data entry was required
and where the necessary vocabulary
was limited. For example, workers
unloading trucks for private postal
services can read destination codes
into a clip-on microphone before
placing a parcel on the conveyor belt;
the system can then automatically
route the parcel to the correct outgo-
ing truck.

Hands-free operation could also
have some applications in the office.
It might be useful for a typist to ver-
bally give system commands while
typing or for a graphic designer to
give the machine verbal instructions

178 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Photo 3: Speaker icons in the margin of this document show points where a reviewer has
recorded voice comments that can be played back by the original author of the document.

while drawing with a mouse.

With improved speech recognition
techniques, however, other kinds of
applications are appearing. One new
application combines speech input
with a pseudo-natural-language in-
terpreter to allow verbal database
queries.

Farther out on the horizon are
direct-speech-transcription systems.
The idea of such a system is to pro-
duce ASCII (American National
Standard Code for Information Inter-
change) text from spoken input, thus
allowing users to produce and print
finished documents without using a
keyboard.

As attractive as these applications
are, they also present serious chal-
lenges to the interface designer.

Voice Interface Challenges

The major obstacle to overcome is
the intimidation that some people
feel when presented with a micro-
phone. A first step in this direction
is integrating the telephone into the
workstation. The telephone is a
familiar device that we all use; by
making it a part of the workstation,
the interface designer gives the user

a chance to gradually become com-
fortable with the idea of talking to the
machine.

Another way to ease the user over
the microphone fear is to eliminate
any system demands on the user
and to maintain a strong feeling of
user control. Many people, for exam-
ple, freeze up when a telephone
answering machine begins its famil-
iar litany, "At the sound of the tone,
you have 60 seconds to leave your
message." With an integrated voice
and data workstation, on the other
hand, the user can be left in control
of the situation: "When you are ready
to leave your message, press the
Record key and begin speaking."
Also, visual feedback like that pro-
vided by the voice editor can be a
valuable confidence-builder for new
users.

Another factor in maintaining the
user's sense of control is good re-
sponse time. When the user presses
a control key such as Record, Play, or
Stop, the system must respond with-
in about .1 second. When the user
picks up the telephone receiver, the
dial tone must begin within 2 to 3
seconds. Or, when voice is used in

Digital Voice Encoding

Digital voice encoding is a process that
converts an analog waveform into a digital-
ly coded representation that can later be re-
converted to analog form. Once in digital
form, the voice data can be transmitted,
stored, and processed by a computer— an
important attribute as voice and data in-
tegration become more common.

The standard form of encoding used in
the telephone industry is referred to as
pulse-code modulation (PCM). In
PCM, an analog waveform is sampled at
regular intervals, and the amplitude of
each sample is represented as a binary
number. With 8-bit PCM, for example, 1
byte is used to represent the amplitude;
thus, the representable values range from
-128 to 127, in 255 equal steps. This rep-
resentation is called a linear encoding.

Better sound reproduction can be
achieved, however, if the steps are fine at
low amplitudes and coarse at high
amplitudes where the human ear is not as
discerning. Therefore, a U.S. standard has
evolved that uses one bit for a sign, four
bits for a mantissa, and three bits for an
exponent. The resulting nonlinear code is
called mu-law (or mu-255) encoding.

Mu-law encoding is capable of good tele-
phone quality sound reproduction. In fact,
it is the basis for most digital telephone sys-
tems within the United States (a similar
system called A-law is used in Europe).
Unfortunately, mu-law requires a great
deal of data. Because the sampling rate
used is 8000 Hz, 1 second of sound re-
quires 8000 bytes of data, and 5 minutes
requires over 2 megabytes!

Efforts to reduce the volume of data have
resulted in a technique called differential
pulse-code modulation, (DPCM), in
which the data value stored represents the
amplitude difference between samples, in-
stead of the amplitude of the sample itself.
This technique can be further improved by
storing an adaptive differential pulse-
code modulation (ADPCM). In this
technique, the scale of the differential value

a conversational activity such as
prompting, response time should be
close to .5 second. This simulates the
natural pace of human conversations
and avoids the stress of rapid-fire
questions from the system.

In any voice application the quali-
ty of voice reproduction is important.
Voice prompts from the system need
to be clear and understandable. Voice

180 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

is varied based on previous differentials.
Thus, if several successive samples contain
large differentials, each will be considered
a multiple of the preceding data value, so
that a steep slope can be approximated with
few bits. In fact, ADPCM produces good
sound with 2-, 3-, or 4-bit data values, in-
stead of the 8-bit values used in standard
PCM. (The ADPCM algorithm is avail-
able in IC form from Oki Semiconductor
Corporation and is described in detail in
the June 1983 BYTE.)

An alternate technique for encoding
voice is called delta modulation. In delta
modulation, each segment of the wave is
approximated by a line segment with a
slope ofl or -1. The direction of the slope
can be represented with a single bit, rather
than the 4 or 8 bits used in PCM algo-
rithms. Of course, simple delta modula-
tion isn't good enough for most applications
because restricting the slope to 1 or -1
makes it difficult to model steeply climb-
ing or falling waves.

A somewhat better algorithm is called
continuously-variable-slope delta
modulation (CVSD). In CVSD, if the slope
value of the data bit is the same for three
or four samples, the slope is doubled. This
prevents the approximation from falling too
far behind when the slope of the wave be-
comes steep. Still, to get a close approxima-
tion with CVSD, many samples are re-
quired. Tor good-quality voice reproduc-
tion, as many as 32,000 samples (or 4000
bytes) per second may be required.

For applications where voice quality is
less important, linear predictive coding
(LPC) can store voice with very little data
(200 to 300 bytes per second). LPC is based
on a mathematical model of the human
vocal tract. The data values stored at each
sample point are actually coefficients of a
formula for reproducing the desired sound.
One of the most familiar products using
LPC is Texas Instruments' "Speak &
Spell."

messages must be reproduced with
enough fidelity to allow the speaker
to be recognized and to allow
nuances of tone to be detected. In
other words, the quality of sound
must be at least as good as a good
telephone connection. To provide
this quality, the system must digitize
and then regenerate the voice of the
speaker via waveform encoding, in-

Photo 4: The Voicestation 1 provides the integration needed for office applications by combin-
ing a bit-mapped display and a telephone in a single compact unit. The workstation is con-
nected to a central system over standard office telephone wiring.

stead of using artificial speech-
synthesis chips.

Applications that process speech
have an additional problem because
available speech-input devices either
have a limited vocabulary or must be
trained to understand specific users.
Device training is often viewed as a
one-time process, but it really isn't;
voices may change because of colds,
temporary help may be hired, or peo-
ple might use one another's worksta-
tions. Therefore, when designing a
speech-input system, considerable
effort should be spent to make the
training process as simple as possi-
ble.

Virtual Personal
Computer Architecture

Meeting the various user-interface
requirements places some heavy
demands on the office computer sys-
tem. Chief among these is the abili-
ty to transfer and store large quanti-
ties of data. Storing 1 second of high-
quality digitized-voice data can re-
quire 2000 to 8000 bytes of data, de-
pending on what sort of compression
is used (see the text box "Digital-Voice
Encoding" for more information). Re-

cording just a few minutes of dicta-
tion can require that more than a
megabyte of data be processed, com-
pressed, and stored, all in real time.
Moreover, the hardware to do this
must not add too much to the cost of
the system, or it will not be com-
petitive in the office-systems market.

To meet these goals we need a "vir-
tual personal computer," an architec-
ture that allows expensive voice, stor-
age, and communications resources
to be shared, while delivering perfor-
mance comparable to a dedicated
personal computer. An example of
such a system is the Sydis Informa-
tion Manager (SIM) from Sydis Inc.
(see figure 1). Its architecture,
described later, is a direct product of
the requirements for an integrated
voice and data interface.

The SIM is a centralized facility
containing all of the expensive
resources required in the office. Pro-
cessing power is provided by multi-
ple 68000 microprocessors including
a system master and multiple appli-
cation servers, voice servers, and file
servers. The system master, which
can be made redundant for increased
reliability, allocates and coordinates

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

181

System

master

processor

TC

Application-
server
processor

Disk
controller

Voice-
server
processor

File-
server
processors

Voice
compressor

r-Q

l

Disk
controller

LUC~^

.

PBX
interface
module

To PBX or
central office

SYNET
gateway
module

To other
SIMs

Workstation
interface
module

To
VoiceStations

Figure 1: The Sydis Information Manager (SIM) architecture combines shared resources for many users in a central location. In addition
to multiple 68000 processors used for application programs, voice processing, and file-systems I/O, the SIM includes interfaces to the office
PBX and to local networks or other SIMs.

the other resources of the SIM. The
application-server processors per-
form the general work of the system,
running office application programs
for users. One or more voice servers
are used as "digital tape recorders" to
handle the voice-to-disk and disk-to-
voice transfers as well as voice
editing. Finally, one or more file
servers handle all mass-storage oper-
ations.

Mass storage within the SIM is pro-
vided by one or more 160-megabyte
Winchester disks and a 160-megabyte
streaming-tape drive for backup.
Other shared resources include inter-
faces to the office Private Branch Ex-
change (PBX), which handles tele-
phone functions such as forwarding
and transferring calls, gateways to
other SIMs, and interfaces for the
desktop workstations.

The desktop workstations, called
Voicestations, are connected to the
SIM in a star configuration. Connec-
tions are made over standard two-
wire telephone lines, eliminating the
expense of rewiring the office. Each
connection supports four 64K-bps
(bits-per-second) communication
channels, providing the high band-
width required to match the perfor-
mance of a desktop computer. One
of the four channels is used by the

system for command and status in-
formation, another is reserved for
voice, and the remaining two are
available for data.

The Voicestation itself, shown in
photo 4, features an integrated tele-
phone, a speakerphone, and a high-
resolution (832 by 608) bit-mapped
display. A local 68008 processor and
128,000 bytes of RAM allow the work-
station to perform the windowing
functions required by the interface.
Additional devices can be attached to
the Voicestation, including a mouse,
a foot pedal for use in transcribing
dictation, and a local printer.

In summary, the architectural fea-
tures needed to integrate voice capa-
bilities into an office system include:

• a central facility to allow sharing of
expensive resources such as mass
storage and voice processors
•large mass-storage capacity to allow
storage of voice data

•a low-cost, high-speed link to desk-
top workstations

• workstations with enough local
power to support graphics, window-
ing, and useful local I/O (input/out-
put) devices

Software Requirements

Integration of voice and data also

places demands on the system soft-
ware. The Sydis system is based on
Microsoft's Xenix operating system,
which is fully compatible with Bell
Laboratories' Unix System III. To pro-
vide the performance necessary for
voice applications, Sydis has made
several enhancements to the operat-
ing system.

One major addition is a network
interprocess-communication facility
(NIPC), which allows reliable and
fast communication between pro-
cesses even though they may be run-
ning on different processors. This
facility has many uses, including
resource requests and allocations
among processors and communica-
tion within the file system.

To allow uses on different applica-
tion servers to share mass storage,
the file system has been networked.
File-system calls on an application
server are now converted to NIPC
messages, which are transmitted to
the appropriate file server over a 128-
million bps system bus. In addition,
the system has been enhanced so
that multiple disks on multiple file
servers can be made to appear to the
application programs as a single file
hierarchy, so that the physical loca-
tion of any particular file is trans-
parent to the program.

182 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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The file system has also been op-
timized for the large files and large
data transfers required for voice ap-
plications. Disk space is now al-
located in blocks of 4096 or 8192
bytes, rather than the 512-byte blocks
traditionally used on Unix systems.
In addition, the linked list that Unix
file systems use to keep track of free
space has been replaced by a bit map
showing the state of each cylinder
and sector on the disk. In this way,
blocks can be allocated in an opti-
mum way, taking into account disk

latency, to ensure high-speed trans-
fers for large streams of voice data.
The software requirements for the
system master and voice server were
somewhat different. These proces-
sors perform no direct disk I/O but
must respond rapidly to interrupts to
handle voice data in real-time. To
meet this need, these processors run
a stripped-down version of the oper-
ating-system kernel. All required
software has been written as inter-
rupt routines or as system processors,
to minimize context switching times.

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*

These and other enhancements
provide an operating system capable
of concurrently transferring multiple
streams of voice data to and from
disk, while still handling the require-
ments of more traditional office ap-
plications such as word processing
and electronic mail.

At the user-interface level, the stan-
dard Unix shell or command inter-
preter has been replaced by a new
shell that models the user's office en-
vironment and provides the object
and softkey selection facilities seen in
photos 1-3.

Conclusions

Integrated voice and data systems
will be widely used in office automa-
tion because they enhance commu-
nications, the most time-consuming
office activity. As always, some pur-
chasers will accept a poor interface to
have these features as soon as they
can. But for these systems to be wide-
ly accepted, comfortable, responsive
interfaces must be designed.

Supporting high-quality voice in-
terfaces requires the ability to rapid-
ly move and store large volumes of
data and to effectively share limited
or expensive system resources. The
architectures needed to provide these
capabilities may have as big an im-
pact as the voice systems them-
selves. ■

References

1. Bair, James H. "Communication in the Office
of the Future: Where the Real Payoff May Be,"
Business Communications Review, January-
February 1979.

2. Ciarcia, Steve. "Use ADPCM for Highly In-
telligible Speech Synthesis," June 1983 BYTE,
page 35.

3. Lea, Wayne A. "Selecting the Best Speech
Recognizer for the Job," Speech Technology,
Volume 1, number 4, January 1983.

4. Loftus, Elizabeth F. Memory. Reading, MA:
Addison-Wesley, 1980.

5. Miller, Robert B. "Response Time in Man-
Computer Conversational Transactions," Pro-
ceedings of the Fall Joint Computer Con-
ference, AFIPS, 1968.

6. Milne, Steve and William R. Stensrud. "Voice:
Soon a Requirement for Office Workstations?"
1983 Office Automation Conference Digest,
AFIPS, 1983.

Robert T. Nicholson is a member of the technical
staff at Sydis Inc. (410 East Plumeria Dr., San Jose,
CA 95134).

184 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983

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LIST OUR

WHILETHEY LAST PRICE PRICE

+ ALS Synergizer - Scaic - ConrJorill - ) S 749 $199

*Axlon 320K RAM Disk System t - orei S1000 $650

• CCS.Sena Interface 7710A [Set Baud) $ 150 S 99
*ComX 16KRAMCard.1Yr Wty.forll- S 179 S 39

Microsoft. 1 6KRAMCard for II- S 100 $ 69

Silicon Valley Word Handier S 250 S 39

* List Handler S 90 $35
Videx Vtdeoterm . 80 column card for II - S 345 $229

RAM EXPANSION

+ ComX ':■■ lie ouco B4K AOOe'CatC S 29

• ComX.RAMCard.1Yr Wty (II*) 16K S 179

• ALS.ADDFtam(ll-)

• Microsoft. RAMCard (II -I

• Saturn Systems RAM Cardlll
RAM Card (II
RAM Caul (II

16K S 100

I6K S 100

32K S 249

j 64K S 425

)12BK S 599

* Ailon RAM Disk System (■ ore)320K SlOOO

MISCELLANEOUS

S145
S 39
S 59
S 69
S169
$299
S399
$650

ALS.TheCPMCatdV3 0(-ore) S 399

Z-Cardl-ore] S 169

Colorll(-ore| S 179

ASTAR.RFModulaloilouseTV S 35

• CCS.Senallnlerface7710A S 150

• Central Point Alaska Card (copier, *ore) S 130
EasUWe. Wild Card (copier. » ore) S 130
Kensington. System Saver S 90
KeyTtonic.KB2O0keyboard(IM S 298

• Koala. GraphicsPad ' S 125

Market Microscope S 700

Kralt, Joystick (Ap II IM S 65

Paddki|Apll.ll*) S 50

M4R,SupRlan(»ore) r S 50

• Microsoft. ZSOSoflcardl* ore) S 345

Z80 SoKcard Plus ( * ore) $645

Soltcard Premium Pack (II*) $ 695

Sohcard Premium Pack (lie) S 495

Micro Tek. Dumpling 64 , Butter S 349

• Oranrj*Micro,GrapplerPlus(eot *) $ 175

16KBunerBoardlorGrappler* $175

BufleredGrappler-,16K $ 245

2 Chip Kit lor above lor 64K $ 28

Paymar, Lower Case Chip III *) 5 50

Practical Peripherals.

MBP lie 64K Par (Epson Internal) (* e) S 279

MBSlle32KSer.(Epsonlntemal)(* e) $219

Mkjrobuf1erll*.16K,|* ore)

ParJSer (specify) $ 259

Microbutler II + , 64K, ( * ore)

Par'Sei (specify) $ 349

*PCP1. Appli-Card. 14 leatures 6Mhz 5 375

RH Electronics. Super Fan II $ 75

• SatumSystems.Acceleratorll 5 599
Transcend. SSM AIOII Serial Para IF S 225
TGProducts.GamePaddleslll*) $ 40

Joystick (lit) $ 60

Selecl-A-Port(ll*) $ 60

TrakBall(llt) $ 65

Videx, PSIO.Para/Ser Interface S 229

(299

(129
(139
( 25
( 99
(99
( 99
( 65
(219
( B5
5525
( 49
$ 39
(39
(235
(459
(495
(395
(269
(119
(119
(179
( 19
( 39

(209
(169

(259
(275
S 59
(449
SI69
S29
(45
S45
(44
(169

A

for the ATARI

RANA 1000 Drive, 320K $449

KOALA, Graphics Pad S100

(369
(75

BUSINESS

AppliedSoftTech.,VersaForm S 389

Artsci.MagicWindovrll NEW! S 150

*Ashton-Tate,dBasell(ReqCPM80) $ 700

FinancialPlanner(ReqCPMSO) S 700

Friday (HequiresCP M 80) S 295

BPISystems.GL.AR.AP.PRorlNV.each S 395

Broderbund. Bank Street Wnler S 70

Continental. GL.AR.APorPRea S 250

Home Accounlanl S 75

FCM S 100

Dow Jones Market Analyzer S 350

Market Manager S 300

Market Microscope S 700

Fox & Geller. Quickcode [lor dBase II) S 295

dGraph(lordBasell) S 295

dUlility(lordBasell) S 99

Hayden. Pie Writer (SpecilyBO col board) S 150

Howard Soft, Real Estate Analyzer II S 195

Tax Preparer $ 225

LJK. LGller Perleclw Mail Merge S 150

Micro Craft, (requires Z80 CP M-Card)

VerdictorBillkeeper S 995

Micro Lab Tax Manager S 180

Micro Pro (all require Z80-CP MCard)

+ WordSlarwApplicardSCPM SPECIAL S 495

WordStar1 - Training Manual SPECIAL S 495

MailMerge ' SPECIAL S 250

SpellSlar" SPECIAL S 250

• WordStar Prolessional.4 Pak SPECIAL S 895
Microsoft Mul-PlanlCPM or Appte DOS) S 275

Fnancia! Mutator*! (CP Mot DOS) S 100
Budget Multtol (CP M or DOS) S 150

• OsbomeCP. Soft. (Disk and Book) (Slat . Bus S Main)

Some Common Base Programs |75 each) S 100 $ 49

Practical Basic Programs (40 each) S 100 $ 49

Peachlree. Requires CP M & MBastc. 40 columns.

Series 40 GLSAR SAP, all 3 S 595 $365

Series9Texl&Spell&Mail all 3 S 595 $395

Perfect. Perfect Writer $ 495 $149

Perfect Speller S 295 $ 99

Perfect Writer Speller 2 Pak S 695 $199

Perfect Filer S 595 $259

Quark WordJuggler(lle) S 239 5179

Lexicheck lie (use w Juggler) S 149 5 99

Sensible Sens Speller. specilyBOColBrd S 125 $85

Sierra On-Line ScreenWnterPtofesstona s 200 SI35

ScreenW'ilerll S 130 S 69

Tie Dictionary NEW1 S 100 S 69

Genera Manager II NEW S 230 5155

• Silcon Valley Word Handler S 250 $39

• Lisl Handler S 90 $ 35

$259
$ 99
$385
$395
$199
$295
$47
5165
$ 49
$ 69
$275
$235
$525
$185
$185
$ 66
$ 99
$129
$149
$99

$469
$119

$325
$239
$129
$129
$429
S199
$ 75
$115

OTHER BRANDS AND

BUSINESS

SottwarePuMishing, PFS:File S 125

(specify *ore) PFS:Report $ 125

PFS: Graph $ 125

Stoneware DB Master Version 4,0 S 350

DB Utility I or II $ 99

SystemPlus.GL.AP.SAR S 995

Videx. Applewriter 1 1 prebool disk S 20

VisicalcSOcol.prebooldisk S 50

visiCorp Personal Software.

Visicalc3.3 S 250

VisicalcEnhanced(lle) NEW! S 250

VisiFilenrVisiDpx parh S 250

UTILITY & SYSTED

beagie. utility Lity s. ju

DOS Boss S 24

Apple Mechanic S 30

Central Point. Filer. DOS 3.3 and Utility S 20

• Copy II Plus (bitcopier) $ 40
Einstein. Compiler, for Applesof! BASIC S 129
Epson. Graphics Dump $ 15

• Insott. GraFORTH by Paul Lutus S 75
Microsoft, A.L.D.S S 125

CobolBO S 750

Fortran 80 S 195
Complete Line in Stock

• Omega. Locksmith (bit copier) S 100
Penguin. Comp.Grphcs. Sys. NEW! S 70

Graphics Magician NEW S 60

Phoenin.ZoomGrafix S 40

Quality. Bag Of Tncks NEW! S 40

Saturn Systems. VC-Expand S 100

VC-Expand80 S 525

Sensible, Back if Up, (bit copier) $ 60

"~ lafliilipnRTOKiiWii

S '

$ 84
$64
$84
$229
$ 69
S555
$ 15
$ 39

$169
$169
$169

$18
$22
$ 15

$30
$ 85
$ 9

$59
$75
$559
$149

$ 75
$ 53
$41
534
$ 29
$ 49
$ 69
$49

Broderbund. Chopliher
BudgeCo PinballConsIr Set
• Continental. Home Accounlant
Datasoft. Aztec or Zaxxon, each
Edu-Ware, (Large Inventory)
Einstein, Memory Trainer
Hayden. Sargon II (Chess)
Infocom Zorkl. ll.or ill or Slarcross, each S 40
Koala. Full line in stock. CALL
Learning Co.. (Large Inventory)
Lightning. Masterly pe
Micro Lab, Miner 2049er
Sierra On-Line Ultima II
Sir-Tech Wizardry
Spinnaker, Kindercomp
Sub Logic. Flight Simulation or Pinball. ea
Terrapin u.ar-
PROGRAMS IN STOCK. CALL.

S 40
S 75
S 40

Call
S 90
$ 35

Call

S 40

S 40

S 60

S 50

S 30

S 35

S 150

S 26
$ 27

$49
$27
Call
$ 70
$ 29
$ 27
Call
Call
$27
$ 27
$ 40
$ 39
$ 20
$ 25
5 99

DISKETTES us. our

BROWN DISC PRICE PRICE

lOeach Pusel.DSDD48TPl S 45 $ 32

lOeach Pu-se II DSQD.96TPI S 60 $ 45

CDC 100eachSSSO35T|Apple.Alan) S 450 $169

l0eacnSS.SD35TiApple.Alan) S 45 S 18

IMeach.SS DO 48T|Apple IBM) S 550 $ 179

lOeach SS.D0 48T(ApplelBM)S 55 $ 19

lOOeachDS DD48T MBM.HPlS 750 $295

35

10eoch.OS.DD48T(IBMHP) S

OYSAN lOeach (Apple.elc) S 69

lOeach. 48THBM HP.elc] $ 89

MAXELL tOeachMD-l SS.OD S 55

lOeach MD2DDSDD S 75

VERBATIM '.OeachVere.SSSD S 40

lOeach MD525-01 SSSD S 49

l0each.DD34.DSDD S 84

lOeach Opnma.DS DO S 121

GENERIK ' DISKETTES - AS LOW AS $1

l00eachSS.SO.35TracklApple.Aian) S 415 ( 130
1000eachSSSD35Track|Applp Alan) S4I50 $895
lOOeachOS DO 40 IrackjIBM HPj S 626 (170
1000ea*DS.D0 40Track(lBM.HP) S6260 $1400

W jackets no labels, lopquality.

90 day limited warranty by us

S 25
$ 45
( 65

'. 19B3 by

Cnnroy-UiPoiiite

GENERIK"
DISKETTES

SSSO $1.00 Each
PS DP $1.40 Each

CDC
SSSP $1.79 Each

Minimum order qucntlllw apply.
Sue above money back guar ante*
Is by COMX Coiporatlon not ua.

MODEMS *°

ACCESSORIES ,,„

PRICE

ANCTOR,StgrialmanMKIModem(RS232) $ 99

HAVES.IBM-PCSmarlmodem1200B 5 599

IBM-PCSmartcomllSoflware $ 119

SlackChronograph(RS-232) $ 249

SiackSmartmodem300(RS-232) $ 289

Smattmodem1200(RS-232) $ 699

MiaomodemlOO(S-IOObus) $399

Micrdmbnemll(toriheAppteil) $ 379

Appietefrninal Program $ 100

IBM-PCtoModemCable $ 39

NOVATBN,Apfjiralllr*derri,300BAUD 5 389

212AppleCat,1200BAUD $725

PC-CalwrihOosslali $ 596

Cat $ 189

D-Cat $ 199

J-Cat » 149

212AutoCal t 695

Smart Cat 103212 $ 595

AppleCalll $ 389

SS«,Tfanrxrjnd1!orApplellDalaC6imt. $ 89

ModemGardiortheApplell $ 299

Tr»S!l»qem1200(110/300'1200) $695

OUR
PRICE
S 75
$439
S 89
$189
$225
$535
$275
$275
I 65
S 29
$259
$ 559
5 419
$139
(159
$104
$579
$415
t 269
$ 89
$239
$551

MONITORS ACCESSORIES

* AMDEK. 12 'Green. >3O0G S 200 S 1 35

* 1? Amber. #300A $ 210 S 149

* 12"Ambar,310AforlBM-PC $ 230 $ 159

* 13'Coloil, Composite $ 379 $ 289

* 13"Colotll,RG8.Hifies $529 $439

* 13"Coforlll.RGB,(Apll.lll) $479 $399
DVmCotorllorlllloAppielltF $ 199 $ 175

NEC. 12' Green.ModelJB1201M $249 $159

12"Color,Composite,JC12l5M $ 400 5 299

1ZPCk*r,RGB,IBMModel.JC1203 $ 699 $ 589

PRINCET0N.RGBHiRes,HX-12 $ 795 $ 539

•QUADRAM Quadchrome 12" RGB Color $ 795 $ 499

Ouadr5creen17",968x512 $1995 $1595

SANYO,12Green,ModelDM8112CX $ 260 $ 199

ZEMTH. 12"Green, Model ZVM121 $ 150 $ 89

• MEANS A BEST BUY
AD #984

nDHCDIUr lUCt-IDU ATII-IM A tin TCDUC. A" Uai' p-°- Bo" 230M- p°r"and OR 97223. Include telephone number.

UnUrZnlrlU IPirUMMAI IUN AINU I LMrlriD. All itemsusualiym slock Cashiers Chocks Money Orders Forlorn.- i000ChecksandCovc..inmeni Checks weiirmiedialeiy honoi Persoualoi other
Company Checks allow 20 OayS to noar No COD Prices relied a 3sa Cash dlSCOUrU so AD03'--. 10 above prices lOI VISA or MC Fiji IJ S Mainland add 3"-, lor shipping insuianr.i..,,ml hnnitiini] iSlKHiliy HI'S Willi S1)
minimum lor SI4H UPSground is standard soadd 3" -.more loi UPSBIuewithSiOminimum lor SISH Adtli? stOlallorStSHIorUSPOStal APOorFPO witliSI'iminimumtorSliH ForHawail Ataskaand Canada UPS
■s m some areas only all others are Postal so can write or specily Poslal Foreign oirtersokcepi Canada lor S ISHadrl !B5„oiS25 minimum!;,, HI*Hcn repttol monitors add 30 v or Sod minimum lor SlkH Pnr.es sutancl
!o change and typo en-ors, so call to verily All goods ale new, include warranty and arc guaranteed lo work Duo lo our low prices ALl SAI FS ARE FINAL Call before reluming goods loi repair Or inptaormnnl Oidors
■eceived with insultK:«nt S.liH charges will be relunded ORDER DESK HOURS6 AM I06PM P5T Monday through Friday and 10 104 Saturday f.AM ImioisgAM in Mew York

OUR nCrCnCNCkS' Wo have been m computers and electronics since !95B. a computer dealei since 1979 and in mail order since 19G0 Banks isl lolerstalo Bank (r)03t (J43 4h7B Wo tioliingiuthe
Chamber ot Commefce 1503) 1544-0 1 23 Better Business Bureau and Direct Markoling Association oi call Dunn and Biadstroet it you aie a subscnbei Fastrak and Generik arc trademarks ol ComX Curporalicjn
WordStar MailMeroe. Slarlndex. InloSlai are trademarks olMicioPro

CASH SCARRY OUTLETS:

Ovpi-lhe-counret sarCS only Open Monday through Saturday

10 00 until 5 0D

PORTLAND, OREGON. 115Q7-D SW Pacific Hwy. Terrace

Shopping Center Tigard On 99W belween 217 and 1-5 Call

245-1020

SEATTLE. WASH., 3540 I2f3th Ave SE Bellevuc. WA 98006,

Teie 641-4736. in Lochmann s Piaza near Faclona Place. SE of

Hwy 405 S 90 and at SE 38lh $ Richards

LOW PRICES TO PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW WHA T THEY WANT AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT!

^DEALERS''

WE BUY
EXCESS

. INVENTORIES j

5&.XT DRIVES j&

(§9 CONTROL DATA

OR landon

320K/360KDS DD DISK DRIVE

With Detailed Installation Instructions
60 Day Warranty by Factory Aulhorized Distributor

$239

$229 Two or more.

Same as now installed by IBM.

$199

HALF HEIGHT

320K-360K DS DD DISK DRIVE

l-WWWl^RJ PRICE PRICE

INTERNAL Hard Disk, WMB
(ForPC-1, compute) CL0SEOUT $1995 S 995

MAYNARD

FtocoyDnveConlrol8rd.rdrupto4drives S 195 $ 165
samowithParallelPort S 275 5 205

VISTA, IBM-PC XT 6MB
8ackuptorHardDisk,V1200 SI549 $1049

• Means a BEST buy

AD #984

PRINTERS™0

ACCESSORIES
DOTMATRIX PRINTERS:

EPSON. MX80FT. 80 CPS. wiGratlrax
FX80.CPS

MX1CK)FT,80CPS.w.'Grartrax * $ 995

FXtOO.CPS

Apple II Graphics Dump Program S 15

S 250
$549
$ 899
S 699
S1249

LEADING EDGE, Gorilla Banana

OKIDATA,82A.B0co!,120cps,Para.

83A, 132 col, 120 cps, Para.

92. 160CPS.80Col.Para.

93. 160CPS. 136CoJ, Para.

2350P.Paranark.350cps.Para $2695

2410P.Pacemaik.350cps.Para S2995

ORANGE MICRO, Gtappler +, lor Apple S 165

PRACTICAL, ktaobuller In-line 64K. Para. S 349

lAcrobutlei ln-Line64K Serial S 349

*STARMICRO..GeminM0"X,120cps.2.3K S 499

Gemini 15"X,120cps,2.3K Call

IBM-PCIoEpsonorSlaiMicionicsCable S 60

ApplelFandCableforEpsonorGemini S 95

LETTER QUALITY - DAISY WHEEL PRINTERS:

JUKI.6100, 17cps.80Col..Paraliel S 700 S 539

SILVERR£ED,FJ<P5S0P,t8,cps.3pitch S 895 $615

EXP550S.I8tps.3pilch $ 995 $ 650

TraclorFeedlorEXPS50 S 160 $ 125

*TTX.13cps.Paia&Ser.Pin&Fnction S 649 $ 499

SUPPLIES: Traclor Feed Paper, Ribbons, Daisy Wheels.

PRICE PRICE
S 745 $ 485
Call
$639
Call
S 9
$ 209
$ 446
$ 699
$ 559
$969
$2095
$2350
$ 119
$ 259
$259
$ 269
Call
$ 35
$ 59

PLOTTERS

BAUSCHtLOMB. HOUSTON

DMP-40, 1 pen

DMP-29.8pen

DMP-41
ENTER COMPUTEH.Sweel-P
AMDEK,DXY-100.10"xl4-,Para

LIST OUR
PRICE PRICE

$ 725

$1695

$2250

S 795 S 595

S 749 $ 599

Amplot 1 1. 1 0 ' x 1 4". 6color. S'P $1299 $999

CORVUSr

S2095 S1695

1 1 1 Meg. $2750 $2295

Without Interlace 20 Meg S3750 $3095

IBM-PC Interlace Manual. SWS Cable Kit $ 300 $ 239

Mirror bu ill in for easy backup $ 790 $ 595

Applelnlertace.Manual.SWSCableKit S 300 S 239
Other Inleriaces. Omni-Net, Constellaton, Minor. CALL.

THE IBM-PC SUPPLY CENTER

IBM-PC

System Includes
Two 320K Disk
Drives by CDC

90 Day Warranty By Us

Call For Details And
Configurations

IBM is a trademark ol IBM Corporation.

LIST OUR
PRICE PRICE

MEMORY CHIP KITS ^'^

$ 150

$ 50

$ 599 $ 519

memory cards or
mother board. 100% lested. With 90 day warranty.
• 64K Kit. 200NS, 9 chips, 4164

16KKit,200NS,9chips,4116(lorPC-1
Aimci/ motherboard)
ANIUttV 4-IN-IMuWeBoartl.Color

Graphks.Mono,128K

ComboPlus,64KS/P/C

ComboPlus,256K,S/P/C

MegaPlusll,64K.2-S<P/C

MegaPlusll,256K,2-S/P/C

256KMegaPlus II Expander

SixPakPlus,64K,S/P/C

SixPakPlus,256K,S/P/C

SixPakPlus.384K.SW;

IK>Plusll,2S/P/CrG

PCnef.LANKit

$395 $279

$695 $ 475

$495 $345

$ 795 $ 496

$395 $295

$395 $296

$ 695 $495

$895 $595

$ 315 $ 195

$1490 SI 290

$ 850 $ 680

' 7.-Plus64.laslZ80B.64Kparapon $ 875 $ 695

r PraiiV 256KRAMCardwrthFastrak~RAMoiskemulalor

\^vjruv\ j^sixxiIk software. 2 Yr.wiy. $ 695 $ 256

minTIC PC Pedestal" for Drsptay $ 80 $ 65

L.UH 1 13, 9 Fool Cat* tor BM Keyboard (exlends3lo9)

3to9tootkeyboardcable $ 50 $ 35

Vertical CPU "System Stand" $ 25 $ 19

PRICE PRICE
t 499 $ 379

HERCULES .Graphics Board

Key TrOniC, KB5150, Sid. keyboard S 269 $ 199

Kfizsl^a KoalaPad" $ 150 $ 109

I lUQICJ Programmer's Guide j 15 j 12

MAYNARD,MuttrtunctiO(i(6)Card,MFC$ 89 S 78

SandStar.no RAM card S 199 $ 169

SandSlar,256KCard

MICROSOFT «£-

256KCard
ORTMin PCnet'-LANZO
v/nv,nlL' Mcoxtmme Graphics Cad
Mouse

PLANTRONICS

ColorPlus. 1 6 color brd. w/Para Port

QJMXWA

-* Ouadlink, Apple II EmulalorlNSTOCK

Quadboard, no RAM, expandable lo 256K
Ouadboard64K, jxpandableto256K
* Ouadboaid256K,6tunclion
Quadboard II, no RAM. expand 10 256K
Quadboard II, 64K, expandable lo 256K
Quadooaidll,256K,6lundion
Ouad512+.64K plus serial pod
Quad512r .256K plus senal port
Quad512+,512K plus serial port
Quadcokxl.board. 16cotors
Quadcokx II, board, use with Quadcolor I
Quadchrome, 1 2" RGB Monitor
Quarjscreen, 17',968x512Monrtor
Microlazer. w/Copy, P/P. 8K, #MP8 w/P.S.
Mkirolazer, w/Copy. P/P. 64MMP64 w/P.S.
Microlazer, w/Copy, P/P, I28K, #MP128w/P.S.
Microlazer, Snapon, 8K. P/P. Epson, #ME8, w/P.S
Microlazer, Snapon, 64K, PiP, Epson, #ME64, w/P.
AIIMicrolazers are expandable, (w/copylo512K)
|Sna|K)nto64K)
_T 1stMATE,64K

lecmar isimate,256k
TGPRODUCTS.joysix*

S 499 $ 395

S 875 $ 495

S 395 $ 295

$625 $465

$1490 $1190

$ 499 $ 379

S 195 S 145

$ 475 $ 379

$680 S 415
$ 295 $ 215
$395 $ 279
$595 $395
Call Call
$395 $ 215
$595 $395
$ 325 S 265
$550 $420
$ 895 $ 625
$295 $225
$ 275 $ 209
$795 $ 499
$1995 $1595
$ 189 $ 129
$ 319 S 219
$465 $ 295
$ 179 $ 145
S$ 319 $ 235

$ 389 $ 295

$ 589 $ 439

$45

$40 Ten or more.

64K CHIP KIT

9 Each. 4164.200 ns. MEMORY EXPANSION.
90 Day Warranty by us.

$256

$239 Two or more.

ComX 256K RAM BOARD

Fully Compatible. 2 Year Limited Warranty by ComX.

With Faslfak RAM'Disk Emulator and Spooler Software.

WorksonDOS1.1or2.0.

SOFTWARE for the IBM-PC or XT

BUSINESS

UST OUR

PRICE PRICE
ASHTOH-TATE

* dBase II. requires F>C-[»S S 128K $ 700 $315
dBasellUser'sGuide $ 30 $ 20
EverymansDBPnmeilBcokl $ 15 $ 12
The Financial Planner $ 700 $395
Friday $ 295 $199

APPUEDSOFT.TECH.,Versalorm S 389 $265

♦ CONTINENTAL, Home Accountant * $150 $99

FCM (Bra, Cataloging, Mating) $ 125 $69

Property Management $ 495 $329

DATAMCST, Write-On (Word Processor) $ 130 $89

DOW JONES, Maikol Analyzer $ 350 $279

Market Manager $ 300 $239

Market Mteoscope $ 700 $525

EAGLE SOFTWARE, Money Decisions $ ISO $129

* EINSTEIN, Writer NEW! $ 300 $199

Memory Trainer NEW! $ 80 $ 55

Speller $150 $ 95

Mailer % 80 $ 55

LelterScenes $ 300 $195

rtX4QEUER,auid<cale(MSD0S) $ 295 $179

dGraph(MSDOS) $ 295 $179

dWi tor IBM PC DOS $ 99 $ 59

HAYDEN.IBMPfeWriter $ 200 $135

HOWAROSOFT, Real Eslalc Analyze! II $ 250 $189

INFOR. UNLIMITED. EasyWnterlliWPi $ 350 $259

EasySpetletli $ 225 $149

EasyFiler(aOBMS) S 400 $299

Inventory Control S 595 $395

*INSOFT,Date Design (to use DBMS) $ 225 $169

DalaBaseMadeEasy(Book) $ 17 $12

• LOTUS, 1-2-3 $495 $329
MICROCRAFT, Verdict or Biilkeeper. each $ 995 $469
MICROLAB,Mlner2049 $ 40 $ 29

$495 $239

$ 250 $129

$ 250 $129

$895 $429

$ 195 $109

$495 $259

$350 $199

S 275 $175

$ 375 $275

S475 $339

$ 100 $ 69

$ 150 $109

$250 $169

MICRO LAB. Minei 2049
MICROPRO, WordStar'
MailMerge"
SpeHStar"
■* WordSlarProlessiorial,4Pak

Starlndex"
InloStar"
Report Star"
* MICROSOFT. Mulliplan
Word

Word with Mouse
Financial Statement
Budget
NORTH AMERICAN BUS. The Answer

BUSINESS

LIST OUR

PRICE PRICE

ik OSBORNE COMX, (Book S Business,

Statistics 4 Math Programs on DS/OD Disks)

SomeCommon8asicProQ.(70each) $100 $ 69

Practical Basic Programs (40 each) $ 100 $ 69

PBL CORPORATION, Personal Investor $145 $94

PEAChTRffi,PeachPak3(GL,ARSAP) $ 595 $239

Poach Tex15000 $ 395 $239

• PERFECT.PerleclWritBr" $ 389 $149

PBrteaSpeller'orPertBclCalc-.sacti $ 295 $ 99

PertectFirer™ $ 595 $199

SOFTWARE ARTS, TKI Solver $ 299 $219

SOFTWARE PUBLISHING, PFSiFile $ 140 $ 94

PFSfleport $ 125 I B4

PFSiWltte NEWI $ 140 $ 95

PFSlGraph NEW! $ 140 $ 95

SOflCMtSuperCalcll $ 295 $195

SuperWriter S 295 $199

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The MegaMicro is a "big" computer in
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users to run big applications programs
[ones so big they can't even be com-
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simultaneously. Because the MegaMicro
is a multi-user system, it allows easy

sharing of data bases and peripherals-
obstacles that soon haunt business
and scientific users of "personals" who
find a need to "network" or to add
devices such as laser-printers, multi-
color plotters and the like.

LMC's MegaMicro is built around the
newest state-of-the-art VLSI logic-the
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licensed UNIX operating system-as
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188 BYTE December 1983

Circle 267 on inquiry card.

The Starburst User Interface

Linking multiple programs via custom-menu software

Micropro's Starburst, a software
package that facilitates efficient menu
design, can ease construction and
modification of applications software
by creating a new, more appropriate
interface between the terminal screen
and the system operator.

Starburst makes the interface be-
tween programs such as Wordstar
and Calcstar more obvious, providing
a link for Micropro's integrated soft-
ware packages. More important, you
can use the program to build an in-
tegrated system using almost any
type of software. It works with
Micropro software as well as with
other programs, and it requires no
special or experimental hardware.

Starburst streamlines and smooths
the interface between programs,
making it unnecessary for the user of
a set of applications programs to
know the commands needed to get
each program running. It does not,
however, address the deficiencies in
the user interface of a particular
program.

Uses for Starburst

A business that requires many dif-
ferent applications programs can
benefit from Starburst. For example,
a company might use Datastar (part
of Micropro's database-management
system, Infostar) to collect data and
enter it into a database. A report on
the entered data (created with a pro-
gram such as Reportstar, also part of

by Steven Vandor

Infostar) could then be produced and
collated into a daily report written
with Wordstar. This process— data
entry through report distribution-
requires the use of several programs
and several files.

Indeed, such a task consists of a
series of smaller ones. First, the data
must be entered into a file, then pro-
cessed (or reported), then inserted
into a larger file so the report can be
distributed. And along the way, back-
up copies of data and report files
must be made. Starburst makes it ap-
pear to the user that these smaller
tasks have been combined into one
operation. This capability— taking the
numerous steps involved in a large
task and reducing them to one step-
permits design of applications pro-
grams that suit operation by inexpe-
rienced users.

Starburst provides an interface that
shields the user from the smaller
steps a project often requires. And by
protecting the user, it adds a measure
of protection to the system. By using
Starburst to set up a task in advance,
you can ensure that a series of re-
quired tasks will be executed correct-
ly. Steps such as backup, for instance,
can be set up to occur at the appro-
priate time.

The System Interface

Micropro designed Starburst to be
compatible with as many machines
as possible. The program is designed

to work on virtually any business
microcomputer. Starburst can use a
system with a simple terminal and an
addressable cursor. Screen updating
is speeded by memory mapping on
those computers that provide it. Star-
burst can also utilize graphics char-
acters.

At a basic level, any user interface
is under the control of system hard-
ware. This is a curse to designers try-
ing to provide hardware-indepen-
dent software. Use of icons (symbols
rather than words), windows, mice,
and other advanced software features
is impossible without substantial
hardware dedicated to them.

Recent hardware innovations, how-
ever, such as oversized bit-mapped
displays and the mouse, have ap-
peared in advance of functionally
complementary software. Although
this hardware has captured the im-
agination of the marketplace, high
prices have prevented its widespread
purchase.

Other problems have slowed the
mass marketing of this new hard-
ware. Execution speed, for instance,
has been a crucial factor. If a pro-
gram's interface is interesting to look
at, simple to learn, but slow as
molasses, that software has severely
limited potential.

Starburst does not require or sup-
port use of a mouse because only a
limited number of applications pro-
grams take full advantage of the

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

189

Photo 1: A typical user-designed Starburst menu. The graphics at the top of the screen were
created using the IBM PC's graphics set.

Me a CHOICE from the
previous menu, then
press RETURN.

Uhen you make a choice
one of two things mill
happen: either a task
' i performed or a
neiu menu will appear
from which you can make
another choice.

IWEIOT
page AR

ERASING CHflRftCTERS*.

To erase a character: *€!

To erase an entry: A¥l

BUILDING the HENU TREE:
From the menu screen,
press AB.

AZ scroll

To QUIT this menu tree
press AKX

v

page AC

***** To go back to the menu and make a choice, press SPACE *****

Photo 2: You could supplement this general Help screen with detailed Help screens that suit
the system's specific menus and functions.

mouse's capabilities at this time. In
addition, the mechanics of using a
mouse can prove time-consuming
and may not provide a productivity
return proportionate to the effort of
using one. Starburst will not be a
mouse-oriented product until mouse-
driven applications software becomes
more standard.

Once the hardware problems are
solved, software developers are re-
sponsible for providing most of the
screen interfaces for microcomputers.
(Companies such as Micropro and
Visicorp provide many of those inter-
faces with their widely distributed
software.) Even for firms that distri-
bute software internationally, hard-

ware is a major concern. The trade-
off is obvious: a software vendor can
support just a few computers, taking
a customized approach to the user in-
terface, or (as in the case of Starburst)
attempt a more general approach to
afford products wider distribution.

Creating Menus

For the software designer/integra-
tor, Starburst is a productivity tool.
In a customized data-processing sys-
tem, for example, it can handle all the
external functions such as user input
and output. You, the system designer
(referred to as the "builder" in Star-
burst documentation), use the soft-
ware to create menus for the user in-
terface. You decide whether the
menus are to be similar or dissimilar,
and, depending on the hardware,
you can use both text and graphics
characters in the design. Starburst
will then display the menu and ex-
ecute the selections the operator
makes. Using Starburst to string
together individual programs that
comprise a larger application can save
a lot of programming time. It also
gives the screen a polished ap-
pearance.

The menus in a system using Star-
burst all have the same general ap-
pearance, but you determine their
contents. General information for
functions such as cursor movement
and menu choices is provided direct-
ly to the operator through a function
or control key. In addition, you can
write Help screens into the user in-
terface to reduce your dependence
on the documentation. Perhaps more
significant, a menu system that in-
cludes help screens tied directly to
the menus can reduce the amount of
time required to learn to use the
system.

Starburst also can provide other
benefits for the system integrator.
Beyond fast menu design, it can
specify the tasks that a particular sys-
tem will perform. It recognizes 24
commands to handle most system
functions. Besides running applica-
tions programs, these commands
allow the task design to include file
copying and renaming, conditional
logic, looping, variable assignment,
and file locating. And you can write

190 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

programs in BASIC, Pascal, or any
other language to accomplish com-
plicated, nonstandard operations
such as extractions. (A description of
these task commands appears later in
this article.)

Starburst offers a quick way to
make every system look and behave
similarly. Using Starburst, a parti-
tioned accounting system (one that
includes components such as pro-
grams that serve as a general ledger,
a record of accounts receivable and
payable, a payroll, and an inventory)
can exhibit a high degree of visual
and functional similarity. It may, of
course, be advantageous to differen-
tiate among this system's modules,
and for that reason, Starburst permits
instant visual identification because
it can take advantage of the graphics
capabilities of many computers.

A simple but effective way to use
graphics is demonstrated in the train-
ing files included with Starburst. On
each menu in the training system, a
graphics figure that represents the
system (starting at one menu and
proceeding to other levels of menus)
is displayed in the upper right-hand
corner of the screen. The menu cur-
rently in use is highlighted in the
figure (see photo 1). This design
helps keep the user from getting lost.

Starburst's Screen Interface

The Starburst program uses an
enhanced menu-driven interface and
includes the basic Wordstar screen
editor as one of its functional parts.
Other commands for system building
use mnemonics and graphics exten-
sively. For example, when a menu
has been laid out and you want to
specify that its choice A should per-
form a particular series of actions,
you merely place the cursor on the
A character and press Control-L to
link the choice to a set of task action
statements. You can specify and
name the actions then, or you can
specify the actions at a later time.

When you are using Starburst to
build a system, a brief summary of
commands is displayed at the top of
the screen. These commands serve as
memory joggers for system-building
commands, such as Control-L. To
provide more working space on the

Photo 3: On this screen, the programmer specifies which actions will occur when an operator
makes a menu selection. Although the final statement on the screen says to run Datastar,
it could indicate any program.

screen, the list of commands can be
removed and later replaced at any
time. The commands displayed at
any one time are limited to those rep-
resenting options you would logical-
ly select, thus resulting in an unclut-
tered screen.

The more mundane commands,
such as those for moving the cursor
around the screen, are not given such
prominence. Instead, if the user for-
gets how to perform a routine func-
tion, a Help key (either a Control
command or a function key) invokes
a full-screen display of helpful infor-
mation. Starburst ensures that the
screen display does not overwhelm
the user with a list of too many com-
mands from which to choose. Photo
2 shows a typical Starburst Help
screen.

Starburst also addresses another
commonly ignored area of the screen
interface: placement of information
on the screen. A video display is
generally thought of as a page that
users read from left to right, top to
bottom. Depending on what is being
sought, however, their eyes jump
around the screen in different pat-
terns, and Starburst is designed with
those patterns in mind. Its Help com-
mands, for instance, are listed in the

ASK for variable with text
CHECK for file
CLEAR screen
COPY source to destination
DELETE file
DISPLAY text

EXIT (to terminate processing)
LIST (to display each statement before
execution)

MOUNT disk name on drive name (to be
sure the proper disks are in the proper
drives)

NOLIST (to turn off the LIST function)
PAUSE
PROMPT text

REMARK (to document the code being
written)

RENAME old file as new file
RESET (for CP/M disk resets)
RUN (to begin execution of program
other than Starburst)
SET default drive to name
SETSBCODE integer (to directly change
the system variable)

IF condition then (to execute some com-
mands only when the condition is true)
ELSE (to specify an alternative set of
commands to be executed when the con-
dition in the IF statement is not true)
ENDIF (to mark the end of the IF.. .ELSE
construction)

REPEAT (to begin a repeated loop)
STOPREPEAT (to skip to the end of the
loop)
ENDREPEAT (marks the end of the loop)

Table 1: These 24 action statements can
be strung together to perform almost all
system functions.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

191

Circle 377 on inquiry card.

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bottom right-hand corner of the
screen, where research suggests a
users' eyes will travel when they are
in trouble. Building (creative) com-
mands are positioned in the center of
the top portion of the screen. This
scheme is supported throughout the
program. i

A Natural Language

As mentioned earlier, you use 24
Starburst task statements to control
the execution of a system operation.
Stringing these statements together
actually constitutes high-level pro-
gram coding. Starburst also includes
many features to aid the inexperi-
enced programmer and to help the
seasoned coder to stay out of refer-
ence manuals, concentrating instead
on building the system.

The screen interface for specifying
these statements is designed for
speed and ease of use. Photo 3 pro-
vides an example. The keyword, or
first word, of each statement is dis-
played in the command list at the top
of the screen. If you have trouble re-
membering the use for a particular
statement, you can type the keyword,
press a function key, and a detailed
message appears at the top of the
screen. If you only need to know the
syntax of a statement, you can press
another function key and a template
is written on the line where the cur-
sor is positioned. From that point, all
you have to do is fill in the state-
ment's blanks.

The syntax of the statements is the
most elemental part of this interface.
See table 1 for a list of the statements
and an explanation of what each one
does.

The conditional logic (IF... ELSE...
ENDIF) is driven by the system vari-
able, which can be altered in any of
three ways. First, a SETSBCODE
statement can assign a new value to
the system variable directly. Second,
the CHECK statement, which looks
for a specific file on a specific drive,
can return a new value for the sys-
tem variable, depending on the result
of the file search. This feature allows
elegant recovery from an improper-
ly configured system— the applica-
tions program will never be executed
if Starburst detects a file out of place.

192 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 87 on inquiry card.

lagaa!

IqDBBl

POINT ... The

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* suggested US retail $2,995
Circle 216 on inquiry card.

4P009

Third, because the address in RAM
where the system variable is stored
is supplied in the documentation,
you can write a program to be exe-
cuted by Starburst (via a RUN state-
ment) that will assign a new value as
well.

Other variables, which have values
assigned by direct operator response
to ASK statements, are used, as are
merge-print variables in a word-pro-
cessing environment. A prompt dis-
played to the system operator asks for
a value for one variable. The oper-
ator's response can then be plugged
into other places in the list of state-
ments. Here is a simple example:

The task begins with this state-
ment:

ASK for &MEMONAME& with
prompt "To whom is this memo
addressed?"

As a result of the preceding state-
ment, the following text is displayed
on the screen:

"To whom is this memo ad-
dressed?"

The operator responds:

"MARY"

Then, in all statements in the list that

include a reference to the variable
&MEMONAME&, the character string
"MARY" is substituted. For example,
the statement "RENAME TEMPLATE.
MEM as &NAME&.MEM" would be
rewritten automatically as "RENAME
TEMPLATE.MEM as MARYMEM."

The compiler for these statements
is also a friendly programming aid.
When you complete a set of com-
mands, the compiler is automatical-
ly invoked to check the syntax and
content of each. If it detects an error,
the cursor is positioned at the offen-
sive character. Correction can be
aided through the Help functions de-
scribed previously.

The Architecture of Starburst

The core of Starburst is the resident,
a small section of code (about 12K
bytes long) written in assembly lan-
guage. It loads just above the oper-
ating system in RAM (random-access
read/write memory) and monitors
the progress of the application
system.

The remainder of Starburst is writ-
ten in the C language. The other
significant module, the transient, is in
control whenever a menu is dis-
played or when a system is being de-
signed. The transient controls the ex-
ecution of the task statements (e.g.,
variable assignment). When an appli-
cations program is run, the transient
"goes away" and leaves only the resi-

dent in RAM, above which the appli-
cations program is loaded. When the
applications program completes ex-
ecution, the resident reloads the tran-
sient.

Starburst's architecture maximizes
the limited RAM available on many
8-bit computers, while it allows the
added RAM of the new generation of
16-bit machines to be fully used by
the application. The transient func-
tions like a super-overlay file. When
a series of statements is about to be
executed, a special action file is writ-
ten on the disk, so that even in the
absence of the transient, the resident
has a reference for execution. This
means that, effectively, Starburst oc-
cupies only 12K bytes of RAM.

Starburst helps eliminate some of
the mystique of programming, the
convoluted structures that confuse so
many users. The idea behind Star-
burst is to soften the interface bet-
ween the user and the system,
especially for new users. To design a
Starburst system effectively, you must
be able to think logically or at least
linearly. Most people in the business
world are frightened or intimidated
by computers and programming, and
for them, Starburst helps clarify the
elements of system programming. ■

Steve Vandor is product manager of Micropro
International Corporation (33 San Pablo Ave., San
Rafael, CA 94903).

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194 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 225 on inquiry card.

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half-height Winchester disk drive.
And it is totally IBM formatted.
The DSS™ PC PLUS™ kit presents the
storage solution you need now. What
are your data storage needs? At DSS™,
we do much more than sell
components. We create solutions.
The DSS™ PC PLUS™ kit includes:

— lOmb half-height disk drive

— DataMark™ HFC controller

— Full height front bezel

— Mounting hardware

— Cables

Features and Benefits

— Increased capacity
— Increased access time

— Upgradeability

— No additional power requirements
— Enhanced cooling

— One board controller solution

— Operates with 1.25 MS-DOS
through 2.0 MS-DOS

— Internal upgrade

— / lOmb half-height Winchester=3 1
floppy's

— Increased data integrity

Retail price: $2250

from the dealer nearest you

2907 N. 55th St., No. 5 Boulder, Colorado 80301 303/449-7587 Toil-Free: 800-851-PLUS

Data Storage Solutions, Inc.

♦XT is a registered IBM trademark
"Data Mark is a registered trademark of Memorex.

Circle 132 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

195

Diskette
Users...

When you've
heard from
all the
animals in
the diskette
zoo, but you
need fast
delivery and
high quality
diskettes...

Call Communications Electronics

Diskette order desk

800-521-4414

In Canada 800-265-4828

Choose your brand
Choose your price

Product Description

8" SSSD IBM Compatible 128B/S, 26 Sector

8" SSSD Shugart Compatible, 32 Hard Sector

8" SSDD IBM Compatible^ 28 B/S, 26 Sectors)

8" DSDD Soft Sector (Unformated)

8" DSDD Soft Sector (256 B/S, 26 Sectors)

8" DSDD Soft Sector (51 2 B/S, 15 Sectors)

8" DSDD Soft Sector (1 024 B/S, 8 Sectors)

5'A" SSSD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring

5'A" SSSD Same as above but bulk product

5'A" SSSD 10 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring

5'A" SSSD 16 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring

5W' SSDD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring

5'A" SSDD Same as above, but bulk product

51A" SSDD Soft Sector Flippy (use both sides)

5'A" SSDD 10 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring

51A" SSDD 1 6 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring

5'A" DSDD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring

5'A" DSDD Same as above, but bulk product

5'A" DSDD 10 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring

5'A" DSDD 16 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring

5'A" SSDD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring (96 TPI)

5'A" DSDD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring (96 TPI)

5'A" Fileware Diskettefor Apple* Lisa Computer

For more information
about this brand call:

Wabash
diskettes
$1.29 each

for as
low as

Wabash

Part*

F111
F31A
F131
F14A
F144
F145
F147
M11A

M11AB
M41A
M51A
M13A

M13AB
M18A
M43A
M53A
M14A

M14AB
M44A
M54A
M15A
M16A

CE quant.
100 price
per disk ($)

1.89
1.89
2.39
2.99
2.99
2.99
2.99
1.49
1.29
1.49
1.49
1.79
1.59
2.69
1.79
1.79
2.69
2.49
2.69
2.69
2.59
3.69

0 year warranty

For more Info on Wabash call

800-323-9868

In Illinois 312-593-6363

Ultra
diskettes
$1.39 each

for as
low as

Ultra
Part*

81726

81701
82701

82708
50001
00153
50010
50016
51401
00096

51410
51416
52401
00140
52410
52416
51801
52801

CE quant.
100 price
per disk ($)

1.99

2.49
3.19

3.19
1.79
1.39
1.79
1.79
1.89
1.59

1.89
1.89
2.79
2.49
2.79
2.79
2.59
3.69

Lifetime warranty except bulk
For more Info on Ultra call

408-728-7777

Monday-Friday 9 am-4 pm PT

196 BYTE December 1983

CE...your best source for diskettes

For you the diskette buyer, it's a jungle out there. There are so
many different brands to choose from, you need to go on a safari to
find a good brand at a reasonable cost. Fortunately, CE has already
hunted for the best diskettes and offers you an excellent choice at
a CE price. To save you even more, CE also offers bulk product
where 100 diskettes are packed in the same box without envelopes
or labels. Since we save packaging costs, these savings are
passed on to you. Diskette envelopes are also available from CE.

Other Useful Computer Accessories

When the read/write heads on your computer are dirty, that can cause you a lot of grief.
Nbw...wlth CE Head Cleaning Diskettes, you can clean the read/write heads on the
diskette drives yourself In |ust 30 seconds. Each kit contains two head cleaning diskettes,
and enough solution for 30 cleanings. Order # 5-CLE for 5W drives and order # 8-CLE is
for 8" drives. Only $25.00 each. Also available from CE are 3M data cartridges. The
DC100A data cartridge is a small version of the DC300A data cartridge. The DC100A
contains 140 feet of 0.150" tape in a package measuring 2.4 x 3.2 x 0.5 Inches. Cost Is
$14.00 each. The DC300A is a pre-loaded tape cartridge containing 300 feet of one mil
thick by W computer tape. The DC300A costs $18.00 each. The DC300XL Is an extra
length data cartridge with 450 feet of tape. It is the same size and interchangeable with the
DC300A. The DC300XL provides a total storage capacity of 34.5 million bits at 1 600 BPI.
The cost of the DC300XL is $22.00 each. If you need extra mini-diskette envelopes, CE
sells super strong and tear resistant Tyvek* envelopes for$1 2.00 per 1 00 pack Use order
# TE-5 for a 100 pack of 5V>" diskette envelopes. Smith-Corona TP-1 letter quality
printers are available in serial or parallel versions for only $529.00 each.

Quantity Discounts Available

Our diskettes are packed 10 disks to a carton and 5 or 10 cartons to a case. The
economy bulk pack is packaged 1 00 disks to a case without envelopes or labels.
Please order only in Increments of 100 units for quantity 100 pricing. With the
exception of bulk pack, we are also willing to accommodate your smaller orders.
Quantities less than 1 00 units are available In Increments of 1 0 units at a 20% sur-
charge above our 1 00 unit price. Quantity discounts are also available. Order 300
or more disks at the same time and deduct 1 %; 500 or more saves you 2%; 1 ,000 or
more saves 3%; 2,000 or more saves 4%; 5,000 or more saves 5%; 1 0,000 or more
saves 6%; 50,000 or more saves 7%, 1 00,000 or more saves 8%, 500,000 or more
saves 9% and 1 ,000,000 or more disks earns you a 1 0% discount off our super low
quantity 1 00 price. Almost all our diskettes are Immediately available from CE Our
efficient warehouse facilities are equipped to help us get you the quality product you
need, when you need It. If you need further assistance to find the flexible diskette
thafs right for you, call the appropriate manufacturers compatibility hotline
telephone number listed at the bottom of this ad. Dealer Inquiries Invited.

Buy your diskettes from CE with confidence

Toget the fastest delivery from CE of yourcomputerproducts, we recommend
you phone your order directly to our Computer Products Division and charge
it to your credit card. Be sure to calculate your price using the CE prices in this
ad. Written purchase orders are accepted from approved government agen-
cies and most well rated firms at a 30% surcharge for net 30 billing. For
maximum savings, your order should be prepaid. All sales are subject to
availability, acceptance and verification. All sales are final. All prices are in
U.S. dollars. Prices, terms and specifications are subject to change without
notice. Out of stock items will be be placed on backorder automatically
unless CE is instructed differently. Minimum prepaid order is $50.00. Mini-
mum purchase order $200.00. All shipments are F.O.B. CE warehouse. No
COD's. Non-certified and foreign checks require bank clearance.

For shipping charges add $8.00 per 1 00 diskettes and/or any fraction of
100 8-inch diskettes, or $6.00 per 100'diskettes and/or any fraction of 100
5'/4-inch mini-diskettes. For cleaning kits, add $3.00 per kit. For tape data
cartridges, add $1.00 per cartridge. For envelopes, add $3.00 per pack of
1 00 envelopes. For printers add $20.00 each for U.P.S. ground shipping and
handling in the continental U.S. For Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, or
APO/FPO delivery, shipping charges are three times continental U.S. rates.

Mail orders to: Communications Electronics, Box 1002,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48 1 06 U.S. A If you have a Visa or Master
Card, you may call and place a credit card order. Ordertoll-free
in the U.S. Dial 800-521-4414. In Canada, ordertoll-free by
calling 800-265-4828. If you are outside the U.S. or in Michigan
dial31 3-973-8888. Telex anytime81 0-223-2422. Ordertoday.

Copyright c1983 Communications Electronics" Ad #102783

COMMUNICATIONS
ELECTRONICS™
Computer Products Division

818 Phoenix D Box 1002 D Ann Arbor. Michigan 48106 USA

Call TOLL-FREE 800-521-4414 or outald* U.S.A. 313 973 8888

€f

3M
diskettes
$1 .94 each $1 .94 each

for as

low as

Memorex
diskettes

for as
low as

3M

Part #

8SSSD

8SSSD-32
8SSDD
8DSDD

CE quant.
100 price
per disk ($)

1.94
1.94
2.49
3.14

8DSDD-1024

3.14

5SSDD-RH

1.94

5SSDD-10RH 1.94

5SSDD-16RH 1.94

5DSDD-RH 2.69

5DSDD-10RH 2.69

5DSDD-16RH 2.69

5SSDD-96RH 2.79

5DSDD-96RH 3.74

5APPLE-FW 4.34

Lifetime wmrrmnty
For more info on 3M call

800-328-9438

In Minnesota 61 2-736-9524

Memorex

Part#

3062
3015
3090
3102

3104

3481

3491

3501

CE quant.
100 price
per disk ($)

1.94
1.94
2.49
3.14

3.14

1.94

2.69

3.74

5 ymar warranty

For more Info on Memorex call

800-538-8080

In California 800-672-3525

Burroughs
diskettes EwY.
$2.09 each

Burroughs
Part*

CE quant.

100 price

per disk ($)

FD-101

2.09

FD-105

2.09

FD-108

2.64

FD-109

3.29

FD-110

3.29

FD-111

3.29

FD-112

3.29

MFD-1 1

2.09

MFD-12

2.09

MFD-1 3

2.09

MFD-1 4

2.84

MFD-1 5

2.84

MFD-1 6

2.84

MFD-20

2.94

MFD-23

3.89

1 ymmr wmrrmnty

For mora Info on Burroughs call

800-448-1422

Monday-Friday 9am-4pm ET

Dysan
diskettes^?.
$2.99 each

CE quant.

Dysan
Part#

800501
800618
800605
800803

100 price
per disk ($)

2.99
2.99
3.89
4.59

800839
801184

4.59
2.99

801186
801185
801187

2.99
2.99
3.19

801014
801188
802060

3.19
3.19
3.89

802062
802061
800439
802067

3.89
3.89
3.89
4.49

1 yaar warranty

For more Info on Dysan call

800-552-221 1

In California 408-970-6096

Circle 80 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 197

Now also for IBM PC.

"I just eliminated eye
fatigue by replacing
the CRT Display Tube
on my computer"

Now you can eliminate the
strobe, flicker and fatigue
from your computer
terminal with a new
Soft- View™

replacement CRT from
Langley-St. Clair.

• Available in slow decay green or medium decay
"European Amber" (the standard in Europe).

• Made with Lead/Strontium impregnated glass that
stops X-ray emission.

• High-contrast face glass that also cuts U.V. radiation.

• Frosted glass with extra Anti-Glare benefits.

• Easily installed . . . comes with pre- mounted hardware.

• Warranted for one full year against manufacturing
defects or tube failure.

• Ideal for word processing and programming, yet fast
enough for games and graphics.

Phil DeLaney,
KAYPRO user.

-^^z^

I

Now you can upgrade your
monitor with a new European
amber phosphor tube.

Available for the TRS-80,*
TeleVideo, Kaypro, Heath,
DEC, Zenith and a wide
variety of other monitors,
these new replacement dis-
play tubes use amber or green
phosphors which exceed the
European standards for persistence
and color.

And the "decay" or fade-out rate
of the phosphor is the same as
the "refresh" or scanning rate of
the computer screen, so the dis-
play glows gently, rather than
flickering like a strobe light - an
annoying problem with black &
white or inexpensive green
phosphor tubes.

Now, you can upgrade your
terminal or computer to world-
class performance with the
installation of a Langley-St. Clair
Soft-View™ CRT!

Call our toll- free number to determine which
tube will fit your computer or monitor.

LSIS Soft View™ CRT'S

D #DK34G Amber Phosphorw/ Anti-Glare $9995
D #HZ34G Amber Phosphor w/ Anti-Glare $9995
D #KP3<1G Amber Phosphor w/ Anti-Glare S9995
□ #GN31G Green Phosphor w/ Anti-Glare S8995
D #GN42 Green Phosphor $79.95

a #GN42G Green Phosphor w/ Anti-Glare $89.95
a #OR34 Amber Phosphor S8995

D #OR34G Amber Phosphorw/ Anti-Glare S9995

Also available:
D #R22G Red Phosphorw/ Anti-Glare $139.95
D #B22G Blue Phosphorw/ Anti-Glare $139,95
Plus: $7.00 for packing and UPS shipping

$1700 for Overseas. Parcel Post or UPS Blue Label

Add Sales Tax where applicable.
Inquire about the Cl?rs we have available for many other
computer models.

'Soft-View" Is a Trademark of Langley-St. Clair Instrumentation Systems. Inc.
TRS-80. TeleVideo. Kaypro, Heath, DEC and Zenith are Registered Trademarks

_ -

■ ■ :. :\ ''\y--;; :;•=''

■■;-3SS£

:■'.'■'''• ***'

To order or for more information, call:

800 221-7070

In New York call 212 989-6876

Langley-StClair

Instrumentation Systems, Inc.

139 W. S4th St. New York, NY 10011

of Tandy Corp , TeleVideo Corp., Non Linear Systems. Inc., Heath Co.. Digital Equipment Co Corp and Zenith.

The Complete Information-
Management System

Integrated software must satisfy human and machine requirements

While it is doubtful that a univer-
sally accepted definition has been
penned, microcomputer users and
software writers continue to search
for the ideal, or total, information-
management system. This integrated
software package will utilize any
special hardware features and mini-
mize user interaction. It will be easy
for the novice to use yet will have all
the features and capabilities experi-
enced users expect.

Information will pass effortlessly
from one application program to the
next, and user information will be
stored, shared, and retrieved effi-
ciently. Most important, though, is
that integration will extend to provide
complete project-processing capabil-
ities; once a format is established, no
other operator intervention will be
necessary.

This article provides a brief history
of software integration and lists the
goals and requirements of one ap-
proach for a total information-man-
agement system. Also included are
text boxes that discuss the data inter-
change dilemma and an actual inte-
grated-system implementation.

Early Attempts at Integration

The earliest attempts at software in-
tegration made during the advent of
the microcomputer industry simply

by Michael J. Brown

explained the file structures of
various application programs so pro-
grammers could write code that
could access this data for custom ap-
plications. Examples of this include
custom report writers, better known
as form generators.

The second level of integration in-
volved the so-called families of in-
tegrated products, such as the
Supers, Perfects, Visis, and Stars. Un-
fortunately, integration seemed to be
an afterthought and usually con-
sisted of an intermediate file output

Total integration

provides for complete

project-processing

capabilities.

and input capability. One program,
a mailing-list record keeper, for exam-
ple, could output its data (or a subset
thereof) into an easy-to-use file struc-
ture. One of the more common con-
figurations, though, was a standard
ASCII (American National Standard
Code for Information Interchange)
file in which fields were delimited by
commas and each record was ter-
minated by a carriage return and line-
feed character combination. Once a
file was output in this fashion, an-
other program— for example, a word

processor— could read this ASCII file
and use the contents to generate form
letters, memos, and the like.

Another example of this second
level of integration was the DIF (Data
Interchange Format) standard in-
cluded in Visicalc. This was infinitely
more useful to nontechnical com-
puter users because programming
was not required. Even so, this
method was often cumbersome and
required a significant understanding
of files, fields, records, field de-
limiters, filenames, and extensions.
Most important, this level of integra-
tion usually required user interaction
on an operating system level. Thus,
this second level was still too complex
for neophytes and too constrained for
technocrats.

The third level of integration was
introduced and made famous by
1-2-3 from Lotus Development Cor-
poration. No longer did you have to
worry about ASCII or DIF files
because spreadsheet capabilities and
graphics shared the same file struc-
ture; no intermediary file interfacing
was required. There can be some
drawbacks when your information-
management system requires data-
base management in addition to
spreadsheet and/or graphics pro-
grams.

Database management is a unique

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

199

lFwtet:

lines 1-4

Line II

4 Stvtuf ti»jl

5 Eriiaf tine: ■:
( tows: ___

7 ¥iaish»rCTTs:

HUSK'. .

11 FUiskTETs:

Line 13

12 StartiM tint:

13 &W*

I Line 14

1( Starting tiw: ■:»■
17 Ending tine: WKHI
It burs: _____
1 19 nffiy aits:

Photo 1: Production-run information that is input and stored in a database record.

and very important piece of the in-
formation-management system. A
database manager should give you
total control of your data from start
to finish. Data validation should be
done upon entry, and full selection
and retrieval of specific subgroups of
information are musts. Form and
report generators should be full-fea-
tured to make output of stored and
manipulated data simple. Large files
as well as multiple-file interaction
should be accommodated.

The Complete System

The complete information-manage-
ment system consists of four parts:
database management, electronic
spreadsheet, graphics, and word pro-
cessing. Most business and office
information-management systems in-
clude all of these to some degree.

The database-management pro-
gram becomes the starting point. All
current information is entered into
the user's database. This information
might include sales or invoicing in-
formation as it occurs, and each time
a transaction (such as a sale) occurs,
the new information is entered and
accumulated. A business manager
then uses this information to gener-
ate sales and commission reports.
Selected information can be sum-
marized by salesmen and then used
by the spreadsheet program to pro-
ject future period sales. Past, present,

and future information is compiled,
summarized, and used for decisions.
Graphics can be generated on screen
or paper to make past, present, and
future comparisons easier. Sum-
marized information, graphs, and
projections can then be included in
end-of-period reports provided by
the word-processing program. The
word processor inserts these figures

The complete
information-
management system
consists of a database

manager, a
spreadsheet, graphics,
and a word processor.

and graphs into a template report
and surrounds them with text. From
project start to finish, user interven-
tion is not required. And because this
project is done at regular intervals,
the information-management system
just repeats the report's last pro-
cedure to generate the next one. This
is a good overview of a complete
information-management system.
The problem is coming up with a
data structure that maximizes hard-
ware and software efficiencies. A
short discussion is provided in "The
Data-Interchange Dilemma" text box
on page 203.

System Components

We can divide our complete infor-
mation-management system into four
areas: ease of use, full-featured pro-
grams, integration and project-pro-
cessing capabilities, and technical
feature strength. "Ease of use" and
"user-friendly" are perhaps the most
overused and nebulous terms in the
industry. Their importance as con-
cepts cannot be underrated, however,
because more and more computer
neophytes are operating microcom-
puters. First, then, to be easy to use,
software must offer help options
throughout. No matter what is on the
screen, a designated key will provide
useful information. This might be ac-
complished by using two levels of
help— the first an abbreviated ex-
planation, and the second level a
more in-depth explanation.

Second, both help and system fea-
tures should be divided into con-
fidence levels. When you are just
starting to work with a system, com-
plicated features should not even ap-
pear on the menu. As your familiari-
ty and confidence increase, more fea-
tures can be accessed, and you move
from foundation commands and fea-
tures to the program's intricacies a
step at a time.

Third, users should be able to
create custom menus for their own
applications. This is particularly im-
portant because it coincides with the
integration and project-processing
capabilities explained later. Custom
menus allow you to define and name
projects and tasks. This way, novice
computer operators are able to
choose between "End of period pro-
cessing" and "Select and send past-
due letters" without ever having to
know what a spreadsheet or database
manager really is. Whole projects
may be predefined and executed
using custom menus.

The second area of the complete in-
formation-management system is
that of full-featured programs. Each
of the four main programs (database
manager, spreadsheet, graphics, and
word processor) should be able to
stand alone as a competitive state-of-
the-art program. When integrated
with another or with the remaining
three, the result is an even more

200 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 247 on inquiry card.

THE BEST

IS OUT....

JUKI LETTER QUALITY, DAISY WHEEL PRINTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE AT$699C

There's no mystery about it! Juki's Model 6100 bi- directional, daisy wheel printers are full featured and priced right!

Designed to perform word processing and graphic
functions including bold face, subscript, superscript and
shadow, the Model 6100 prints at 18 cps, has a propor-
tional spacing control and utilizes 100 character drop-in
daisy wheels. The Juki printer uses IBM Selectric Ribbons
and is compatible to IBM, Apple, Osborne, Kaypro and
most other personal computers. But that's no secret!

il iTi I =1 -J U

The news is that the Juki Model 6100 printers are now
available through a reliable network of industry profes-
sionals strategically located throughout the country to
give you the prompt, dependable sales and technical
service you need. And Juki distributors are backed by a
company who has been specializing in electronics for
over 25 years.

So, contact the Juki distributor nearest you for the real
undercover story on the best letter quality, daisy wheel
printer around.

CONTACT YOUR JUKI DISTRIBUTOR FOR THE DEALER LOCATION MOST CONVENIENT FOR YOU:

ACORN OATA PRODUCTS SUTLER ASSOCIATES.INC COMPUTER SERVICES

7304-1 South Allan Way 82A Winchester Street INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Enelewood. CO 80112 Newton, MA 02161 905 Boulevard East

303/779-6644 617/964-5270 Weehawken. NJ 07087

Serving: Serving: 201/866-2880

MT.WY.CO.UT.NM | ME.NH.VT.CT.RI.MA Setving:METR0NY,E.PA.

GENTRY ASSOCIATES. INC I INFORMATION SYSTEMS. INC I INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

INTERNATIONAL CORP 7665 Currency Drive 2420 E Oaklon Street. Unit K SYSTEMS CENTER

905 Boulevard East Orlando. FL 32809 Arlington Heights, IL 60005 7023 Little Rivci Tuni|

Weehawken. Nl 07087 305/859-7450 312/228-5480 Aiinamlalc. VA 22003

201/866-2880 Serving. Serving 703/750 3882

Servmg:METR0NY.E.PA.NI TN.NC.SC.MS.LA.AL.OA.Fl WI.IL.MN.IA.MO.NE.NB.KS.SD Serving. MD.OE.DC.VA

0SSMANN COMPUTER SIGMA DISTRIBUTING
TECHNOLOGIES. INC. 2110 IIGIh Ave.N.E
G6G6 Old Collamcr Road Bcllevoc. WA 98005
E Syracuse. NV 13057 206/454 6307
315/437 6666 Seiving:

Solving: UPSTATE NY WA 1)11. Ill AH

SOUTHERN MICRO
DISTRIBUTORS
8708 Rcyal Lane
Irving. TX 75063
214/258-6636
Serving: TX.0K.AR. LA

STAR-TRONIC TECHNOLOGY MARK! Ill

DISTRIBUTOR CO. 2300 Valley View Lane

23976 Freeway Park Drive Suite 109

Faimmgton Hills, Ml 48024 Dallas. TX 75234

313/477-7586 214/243-7994

Seiving:MI,IN,OH,KY.PA.W.PA,WV Serving: TX.OK.AR.LA

TECHNOLOGY MARKETING CORP. VIIEK

2300 Valley View Lane 930 G Bnaidwalk Avenui

Suite 109 San Maicos. CA 92069

Dallas. TX 75234 G19/744-8305,

NATIONAL HEA00UARTERS: WEST COAST:

IUKI INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA.INC. JUKI INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA. INC

ni

WESTERN MICRO NATIONAL HLA00UARII.RS

TECHNOLOGY IUKI INDUSTRIES 0FAMERI

10040 Buhl) Road DA DIVISION

Clinuitnm. CA 95014 299 Market Streel

40B/725 1660 Saddle Bionk. Nl 07662

Sl!lving:N.CA,NV,A7 201/368-36GC

CALIFORNIA DIVISION
20437 South Western
Tuiiance. CA 90501
213/3209001

Circle 1 on inquiry card.

Super Savings

10-50%

OFF LIST

ANADEX

^4295.

CITOH

3-595.

DAISYWRITERS

^4495.

DIABLO

^r495.

DYNAX

-$-599.

EPSON

t-499.

GEMINI

^-399.

GE

-$4930.

IDS

-$-^99_

NEC

^4945.

QANTEX

"$4495.

QUME

34995.

SILVER REED

3-599.

TALLY

^-399.

TOSHIBA

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202 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

WHICH PROJECT P

WHICH RUN P

REPORT

REPORT

END OF RUN

5

PRODUCTION:
RUN 5
REPORT BY
DAY

Pf.'JlUr rt'.'N
RUN 5
* REPORT BY

UNE. ._,

DATA MANAGER

LOADS

DISK

SPREADSHEET

"I

TEMPORARY
SAVE

j

REPORT

PREVIOUS
PRODUCTIVITY
REPORT BY
LINE

CURRENT
PRODUCTIVITY
REPORT BY
LINE

IfcONTRoOl

f

♦

I

PROJECTIONS

1

REPORT

GRAPHICS
CAPABILITY

productivity:

;Chart;::*ss:sss

r

WORD PROCESSOR

PRODUCTION REPORT

-_l
1

BOILER PLATE

1

rINAL REPORT

TEXT
M TABLES

If GRAPHS ii

1 I

Figure 1: Process sequence and reports generated by "End-of-run full project" described in text.

powerful combination of features, the
whole being a better system than just
the sum of its parts. It is important
to note that using only one or two of
the four programs does not limit that
program's capabilities. This also
allows you to grow with the system
as your needs and finances permit.

The third area is the key— the level
of program integration and project-
processing capabilities. Project pro-
cessing is to all present information-
management systems as a robot
welding system is to a butane torch.
Both get the job done, but both the
butane torch and current integrated
information-management systems re-
quire repetitive user intervention.
Project processing is like the robot
welding system. It may do a number
of intricate tasks, in the order in
which it was instructed, quickly and
without outside intervention.

For instance, let's say your com-
pany manufactures six models of

diesel generators. Each time you
finish with a production run, a pro-
ductivity report is required. As each
day of the production run is com-
pleted, the hours and amount of
materials are entered into the data-
base as shown in photo 1. You can
then begin the productivity report.
You have defined custom menus like
the one that follows:

Babcock Diesel Generators

Production Department

Project Menu

L = Production report line only

P = Production report by product

only
E = End-of-run full project
G = Go home and sack out

so that inexperienced personnel can
complete the project.

For this project, you choose the
"End-of-run full project." The data
manager is loaded and you are

The Data-Interchange Dilemma

by Mark Callegari and Brian O'Connor

The Problem

One man's heaven is another man's hell.
This phrase correctly describes the problem
of data interchange among various applica-
tion programs. The crux of the problem is
that each type of application requires a
unique type of data structure to operate at
maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, the
more unique the data structures, the
harder it is to exchange data. This is
analogous to the problems of people with
different abilities who must work together.
For example, let's say you have program-
mers, engineers, accountants, and product
managers who specialize in each of their
respective areas. The problem occurs when
a project requires the interaction of two or
more of these groups. Although each per-
son is competent in a given field, some pro-
ficiency in the other fields is needed for a
successful project. If we substitute those
workers' unique abilities for our program's
unique data structures, we can see that the
problem of information flow exists in both
areas.

In a totally integrated system at least four
different types of structures exist.

Database Structure

The data in a database can be broken
down into fields, records, and files, and
each component has its associated attri-
butes. Fields have field length and field
type associated with them. Records have
record length, and files have various
header information stored with them.
These attributes are used to describe the
data, and without them the raw data on
the disk would be useless. Various other
files are associated with a database that in-
cludes those used for key fields or sub-
groups of the database. As you can see,
many interrelated components make up the
actual data in a database.

Spreadsheet Structure

A spreadsheet's structure is quite a bit
different than that of a database. Here, each
individual cell has one or more associated
attributes. These describe whether the cell
is calculated or contains data, whether it
is alphanumeric or numeric, how many
digits of precision to use, whether a dollar
sign or percent sign is to be used, and so
on. The database, on the other hand, has
attributes associated only with an entire
group of cells, which are fields.

Word Processor Structure

A word processor's structure is more
complex than either a database or a spread-
sheet. Here, we no longer have repeating
groups like records in a database or rows
and columns in a spreadsheet. A document
created by a word processor is divided into
three basic components: the character, the
paragraph, and the document itself. On the
new generation of word processors, each
character has an associated font, size, and
position (subscript or superscript). Each
paragraph has associated margins, spacing
and justification. And, finally, the entire
document has associated page controls,
header and footer information, and page-
size information.

A word processor also must be able to
integrate two foreign types of data. These
include graphic files for embedding images
in a document and ASCII (American Na-
tional Standard Code for Information In-
terchange) files for merging data from other
programs for form-letter and other similar
applications. The more difficult of these
two is the graphic file. Because a graphic
image can be any size and appear anywhere
in the document, the program must per-
form certain transformations to ensure that
the image is legible. Printing the graph is
not necessarily difficult since the whole
document must be printed as a graphic
image anyway. This is the only way to
change the font and size of the characters.

Graphics Structure

There are several ways to exchange
graphic information, including using a bit
map of the image and using a graphics lan-
guage to recreate the image. The simpler
of these two is the bit-map representation.
Using this technique, a series of bits makes
up the image, with each pixel (picture ele-
ment) consisting of one or more bits. If one
bit is used for every pixel, then you can
make that pixel either on or off. If you use
two or more bits for each pixel, then you
can either associate a color or a gray scale
with each pixel. A typical graphic image
consists of 640 pixels per line by 200 pix-
els per row. This method is the easiest
to reproduce, but it takes up great amounts
of storage space; the preceding example re-
quires 16K bytes of storage. If we increase
resolution to 1024 by 1024, our storage re-
quirements will be almost 132K bytes.

An alternative to bit mapping is a graph-

ics language. Here, you use a series of com-
mands to recreate the graphic images as
they are translated. This shrinks file sizes
for high-density images but increases pro-
cessing time and code requirements.

Diverse Data-Structure Problems

As we have seen, a wide range of data
structures need to somehow be communi-
cated if we are to have an integrated
system. One way is to try to use one struc-
ture for several applications. Lotus chose
this method when designing 1-2-3. The
company designed a spreadsheet and added
a database manager that uses the spread-
sheet's structure. This simplifies writing
the program but limits the database's speci-
fications to those of the spreadsheet. Us-
ing our original analogy, this might be
compared to giving an engineer's job to an
accountant. Although the accountant
could interact easily with the accounting
department, his engineering skills would
be limited.

Innovative Software has chosen to han-
dle integration by enabling each applica-
tion to use a structure that is most natural
to it. Specialization of resources is as im-
portant in software as in manufacturing.
If you are striving for maximum efficien-
cy, each piece of the integrated system must
be able to use data structures that suit the
intended functions. This has several major
advantages. First, it maximizes the speed
of each application. Second, it maximizes
the storage efficiency of each application.
Lastly, it isolates each application from
another.

But there are some drawbacks to this
type of integration. It increases the com-
plexity of program design, and there is a
possibility that the program will be more
complicated to use. Both of these objections
are up to the program designer to solve.
If they can be solved, the user gets the best
program available.m

Mark Callegari is vice-president of Innovative
Software Inc. (9300 West 110 St., Suite 380,
Overland Park, KS 66210). He holds degrees in
management and computer science from Rock-
hurst College, and his interests include radio-
controlled helicopters, karate, and computers.

Brian O'Connor is director of programming
at Innovative Software. He has a B.S. degree in
computer science from Rockhurst College and is
interested in playing Softball, the guitar, and
gourmet chef.

December 1983 © BYTE Publicadons Inc.

203

Circle 403 on inquiry card.

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Photo 2: Summarized production information extracted from the database and used by the
spreadsheet for comparisons and projections.

Photo 3: An example of merge-print word processing; a portion of the production spreadsheet
has been inserted within the text of this production report.

prompted for which run number you
wish to get the reports on. The data
manager automatically selects the in-
formation you request from an entire
database of daily product/run
records. This information generates
a tabular production report by day.
When finished, the run information
is summarized by production line
and another report is generated. This
information is held temporarily on
disk, and the spreadsheet automati-
cally reads the temporary spread-

sheet form. The spreadsheet begins
your productivity analysis by line and
outputs a control report. These
figures are compared with the last
run's productivity figures, and pro-
jections are made based on the dif-
ferential. These figures are printed in
a control report. Project flow is illus-
trated in photo 1. A portion of this
spreadsheet is shown in photo 2.

The spreadsheet now calls the
graphic function, and productivity
charts are generated (photo 3).

204 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

DAIAEASE

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Data base back-up and restore
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An Integrated System Implementation

Innovative Software believes that the
system should take advantage of current
technology, so it provides for use of an op-
tional 8087 arithmetic processor, a mouse,
and large amounts of RAM. Additional-
ly, it employs multiple windowing and full
project-execution capability. The 8087 chip
is extremely handy in the spreadsheet and
database where large amounts of numerical
processing take place. The mouse speeds
editing of both the word processor and
spreadsheet. As only a small number of
programs presently take advantage of the
large RAM-addressing capabilities of the
8086/8088, Innovative's system uses the
large amounts of RAM that are being sold
in current systems. Windowing allows
several files to be seen and edited on the
screen at the same time, or one file can be
viewed from several different perspectives.

Project execution is the ability of one pro-
gram to execute a series of tasks and then
transfer control to another program to con-
tinue executing more tasks. As each task
is completed, the project executor deter-
mines whether any errors have occurred,
provides error messages if required, and
continues with the next task. The project
executor can transfer control among
various sections of one application or to a
completely different application program.

The language we used is C; portability
and code efficiency dictated this choice.
Where even higher efficiency and speed are
needed, we used assembly language.
Because of these choices, the system is very
fast and is easily ported to other machines.

The total system consists of four basic
parts: a database, spreadsheet graphics,
word processing, and system utilities.
These will be explored individually.

The Database

The database is the key component of the

entire system. It must be very powerful to
handle the full complement of business
needs. Our database includes the follow-
ing specifications:

1) 255 fields per record

2) 12 field types with range checking
and validation

3) Multiple screen layouts for each file

4) Over 100,000 records per file

5) Compaction of data on the disk

6) B-tree organization of key fields

7) Multilevel password protection

8) Complex equations, including IF
THEN-ELSE structures

9) Windows allowing multiple files on
the screen

10) Project-execution capability

11) Custom programming language

12) User-definable menus

We feel that these specifications make our
system more than adequate to handle most
business applications. The underlying data
structure consists of a file containing vari-
able-length records with an index file point-
ing to each record. When records are added,
the program checks to see if there is any
open space in the file. If not, records are
concatenated to the end of the file. If a
record is updated, the program first checks
to see if there is room to write the updated
record in the old space. If not, the updated
record is placed at the end of the file and
the empty space is made available for later
use.

B-trees are used for key-field organiza-
tion, although a sort/merge utility is avail-
able for temporary organizations. B-trees
enable the program to insert new or up-
dated data or find old data very quickly.

The calculated fields use the same basic
parser that is in the spreadsheet. This gives
the program the ability to do conditional
lookups (IF-THEN-ELSE, CASE,

SELECT, etc.), transcendental functions
(sine, cosine, etc.), business junctions such
us NPV (net present value) and IRR (in-
ternal rate of return), as well as many other
standard functions such as ROUND, IN-
TEGER, etc. Selection of records for
reports, lists, or forms can use the same
basic parser using the AND, OR, and
NOT operators combined with parentheses.

The program output can be directed to
the form generator, the report generator,
or the list generator. The form generator
enables you to place fields anywhere on the
screen, optionally include titles, read from
multiple files, do conditional page breaks,
calculate new fields, and put text anywhere
on the page. You can create custom forms
or print on existing forms such as invoices.
The Report and List commands are really
preprocessors to the form generator, elim-
inating much of the overhead associated
with designing standard layouts.

The database accepts many types of files
into its internal data structure. As a result,
you can transfer data from other programs
without having to rekey large amounts of
data.

The Spreadsheet

Designing a spreadsheet becomes more
art than science. A spreadsheet must han-
dle large amounts of data in many different
formats while performing many different
commands. In addition to the standard fea-
tures found in most packages, our spread-
sheet contains the following features:
multiple windows, built-in command lan-
guage, interrelation of multiple spread-
sheets, project-execution capability, context-
sensitive help, and an efficient "sparse-
matrix" data structure.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of
the spreadsheet is the sparse-matrix data
structure. In most spreadsheets, data space

The figures and the associated
chart are saved for integration with
the word processor. The word pro-
cessor is automatically loaded, and
the tables of figures and productivi-
ty graph are neatly inserted into the
proper pieces of the boiler-plate pro-
duction report and printed on a high-
quality printer.

This is what project processing is
all about. Starting with accumulated
information in the database manager,
information is summarized, printed,

projected, graphed, and included in
word-processing documents without
any additional intermediary user
interplay.

The last area in the total informa-
tion-management system incorpo-
rates technical features such as power-
ful arithmetic capabilities for spread-
sheet number crunching, summari-
zations in the database, and graph
generation. The system should also
take advantage of large amounts of
inexpensive RAM (random-access

read/write memory). Additionally, in-
dividual systems' screen and tech-
nical specialties should be exploited.
The most efficient and quick data
structures should be used for each in-
dividual program. Examples include
B-trees for the database and sparse-
matrix structures for the spreadsheet.
Lastly, the entire system should be
operating-system transportable.

The Innovative Software System

Innovative Software's complete

206 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 101 on inquiry card.

is allocated for each cell even if it is empty.
Therefore, if you put a number in row 50,
column 10, the program allocates 500 cells
worth of memory. This is a waste if you
consider that on a large model many cells
are left blank to make things more readable.
The sparse-matrix type of data structure
eliminates this problem by using only as
much space as needed— at the expense of
program design complexity. In the sparse-
matrix technique, swapping two rows in
a work sheet is no longer a matter of swap-
ping two blocks of memory. On large work
sheets the memory savings is especially
worth the effort. You can typically have
work sheets two to five times larger than
programs that simply allocate blocks of
memory.

The graphics capability is built into the
spreadsheet program. It also can be called
during project execution. Some of the fea-
tures included are three-dimensional bar
and pie charts, multiple fonts, histograms,
and a slide-show capability.

The Word Processor

The word processor is the most unique
program of the system. It contains many
features found only in dedicated word pro-
cessors. Some of the features include:

•Attributes shown on screen (underline,

bold, etc.)
'Multiple windows
•Multiple fonts and sizes
•Flying reform
•On-screen math capabilities
•Ability to include graphics in a

document

•Project-execution capability
•Context-sensitive help

Each character is stored as a 2-byte in-
teger. The lower 7 bits of the integer are
used to store the character. The upper 9 bits

are used to store the character's attribute,
font, size, and other pertinent information.
When you move a character, the font and
size follow it to its new location. If you do
not have graphics capabilities, you may op-
tionally display the fonts using special
character attributes such as color or
intensity.

A graph from the graphics program can
also be included in the document. A win-
dow in the text is defined in the document
where the graph will appear at print time.
During printing, the word processor reads
a plot file saved from the graphics program
and recreates the picture to fit the size of
the window. This plot file contains all the
information to recreate the picture, includ-
ing different fonts, colors, and shapes.

Flying reform is the process of keeping
a document always formatted the way you
have defined it. Many word processors have
a manual Reform key to clean up a para-
graph after you have made insertions and
deletions. The flying reform does this job
for you. Every time you insert or delete a
letter, the paragraph stays formatted.

System Utilities

The system utilities contain many useful
commands. For example, a calculator utili-
ty handles either standard or RPN (reverse
Polish notation) data entry. It handles
equations with embedded parentheses up
to 255 characters long with full cursor
editing. It also contains three memory loca-
tions and can output answers in binary,
hexadecimal, and octal as well as decimal.

Other system utilities include file-
directory, file-copy, file-rename, file-delete,
and other operating-system commands.

information-management system
consists of the three previously men-
tioned products: a database manager,
a spreadsheet/graphics product, and
a word processor. All three have a
built-in command or task processor
that will allow a series of tasks to be
done in series without user interven-
tion. If two or more parts of the sys-
tem are used, these command pro-
cessors can initiate sequences of com-
mands from the other command pro-
cessors) allowing truly integrated

project processing. For details, see
"An Integrated System Implementa-
tion" text box on page 206. ■

Author's Note:

Research in the areas of data structures, integra-
tion, and project processing was done by Roger
Schroff, University of Southern Maine.

Michael J. Brown is president of Innovative Soft-
ware (9300 West 110 St., Suite 380, Overland Park,
KS 66210).

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December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 207

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ONE MAN BAND. (OR THE
CONSULTANT. THE WRITER. THE
SMALL BUSINESS. AND THE
HOME.)

Everything you need is included for $1777:
A Computer, Printer, Display screen. A
device that lets the machine communicate
with other computers by telephone. A
complete software library. Detachable
keyboard. Dual floppy disk drives. All
exquisitely built in one compact
transportable unit.

For the first time, one ingenious system lets
you conveniently and effortlessly work
without a desk full of bulky equipment.
Because it weighs only 33 lbs, you can take

it anywhere. It's ideal for the small business.

MADE FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE
COMPUTER STORES

Ever tried shopping for a computer? It's a
colossal waste of time and can take weeks, if
not months to wade through the myriad of
products, ambiguous sales pitches and
unfamiliar jargon. But let's say you shopped
your brains out at a store. Here are the best
prices you could possibly get for the same
equipment that comes standard in
"TCFPWLM":

Correspondence quality Dot Matrix Printer: $400
Accoustical Coupler and Telephone Modem: 300
Two Double Density Disk Drives: 500

Complete 64K CP/M computer: 550

Detachable keyboard: 200

PLUS, a library of top rated business and
home management software programs: 2,800

TOTAL SYSTEMS PRICE $ 4,750

And that's if you shopped like a maniac. You
still have to put it all together. And you
have a mess of components instead of a
professionally integrated system. And any
professionally integrated system starts at
$3,500 and goes up and up and up. (Don't
you value your time?)

THE BIG NAME BRANDS HAVE
BEEN MAKING A HUGE PROFIT
FROM SELLING EVEN BIGGER
NAMES. PEOPLE WHO LOVE
MONEY KNOW WHICH NAMES TO
BUY.

IBM, Apple, Radio Shack, Texas
Instruments, Kaypro, and every micro-
computer made today is a collection of parts
made by much bigger names.

For example: Zilog makes the
microprocessor inside Kaypro, Eagle, Altos
and DEC. It's the same one we use.

The power supply inside the famous Apple
Computer is made by the same
manufacturer that makes ours.

The keyboard is made by Stackpole, the
firm that makes Texas Instruments' and
Hewlett-Packard's. Ditto for ours.

Even many of IBM's electronic components
and integrated circuits are identical to ours
because we both buy from the same big
name manufacturer.

Same with our Display Monitor. It's the

same one used by Compaq and Texas

Instruments.

The printer is an Epson. The world leader.

Of course you see the point: Not only will

you be buying a computer at a better price,
you'll be assured that all the quality com-
ponents inside 'TCFPWLM" come from the
world's leading big-name manufacturers.

(And you thought those other computer
companies made it all. They're just more
expensive boxes, with far less features).

The Computer For People Who Love Money
is for you.

WHAT GOOD IS A COMPUTER
UNLESS IT WILL DO THINGS
FASTER AND EASIER WITHOUT A
LOT OF TECHNICAL MUMBO
JUMBO?

Why have a wonderful computer system like
this, and not be totally enthralled with it?

It would be a waste. And we're not in
business to waste anyone's time . . . least of
all ours. So we're including a comprehensive
library of #1 Rated, extremely easy-to-use
software programs — Free! (The same stuff
costs $2,800 if you buy it at a store). Take a
look at what you can do:

IN YOUR OFFICE, IT WILL DO
MORE FOR YOU THAN MUCH
LARGER, COSTLIER COMPUTERS.

Now writing, editing, formating and
printing of any document can be simple
and quick. And its "spelling checker" with a
dictionary of more than 50,000 words,
conveniently points out typing errors.

You can draft letters, long documents,
contracts or tables, all for rapid editing.
Organize mass mailings, create invoices,
print labels too.

Build computerized records on clients and
customers for immediate access. Enter data
only once, eliminating file drawers and,
once and for all, the search for missing
papers. When you create invoices,
statements, form letters — whatever — the
computer recalls the information instantly
with a press
of a button.

You can have several spreadsheets in
memory at the same time, working together
and sharing data for business projections.
Two spreadsheets can be on the screen at the
same time so you can compare "what is" to
"what if?"

You'll be able to immediately use any of the
16 built-in business and financial programs,
such as: Cashflow Assessment, Accounts
Receivable and Payable; Income Statements;
Net Worth; Stock Portfolio Evaluation and
many more.

/ERSATILITY AT HOME.

Take it home, where its ease of use makes it
i wonderful educational tool for the family.
\r\ aid to home budgeting, checkbook
>alancing, and record keeping. It's like
\aving a private secretary handle everything
rom writing out checks to answering the
)hone if you want. The Computer For
?eople Who Love Money will do it all!
We admit this may sound too fantastic to
)e true. But it really does everything we say,
md much more. That's why it makes so
nuch sense to own one).

rHERE'S NO OTHER COMPUTER
JO WELL SUITED FOR THE
EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE.

(bu can work more productively wherever
'ou are, phoning results back to the office
>ver the built-in telephone modem. Since
he entire system weighs only 33 lbs, its
ompletely transportable and very durable,
"ake it anywhere, anytime and have the
vorld at your fingertips. You can get up-to-
he minute stock reports, news updates
lirect from the wire services and tap into
he largest collection of information data in
he world via The Source, America's
nformation Utility. A one-year's
ubscription is included as our gift.

:HE BEGINNER HAS NOTHING TO
EAR. AND THE EXPERT WILL
tEVEL IN ITS VERSATILITY.

)on't worry about learning how to use your
omputer. We thought of everything.

Vhen you receive your new computer, all
ou have to do is take it out of the factory-
?aled box, plug it in, and follow the step-
y-step instructions written in plain English, f
\ any time, if you get stuck while working
n any of our software programs, type
rielp" and the answers will appear on the
:reen. Or you can call our 800 Toll Free
lot Line and get an expert to walk you
irough any problem you might encounter.

du'11 also get a training guide and
issette tape.

irst-time users who have never had their
ands on a computer before can be typing
way with confidence in about an hour. You
in go back at any time for a quick
fresher or train a new person in your
fice without spending your valuable time,
s simple, fun, and thoroughly thought
Jt.

/HAT'S THE CATCH?

here is no catch. It's competition . . . hard
id true. We're out to cut the cost of
imputers. It's that simple. And you can be
e beneficiary.

are. The Computer For People Who Love
!oney won't do color graphics. But you're
business, not art school. And no, it's not
■M compatible. But its CP/M operating
stem is from Digital Research Inc., the
ost widely used computer operating
stem in the world, with more than 3,000
fferent software programs in use in
indreds of thousands of computers world-
ide.

won't iron shirts, improve your golf game
■ mix a dry martini. But it will give you
spendable hardware and software to
indie virutally ever personal or business
'.ed for years.

nd there is no risk to you.

WE INSIST ON YOUR COMPLETE
SATISFACTION.

$1777 is an incredibly low price. But we
know we must make a believer out of you.
First, you'll get a 15 day
UNCONDITIONAL MONEY-BACK
GUARANTEE. Return everything in its
original shipping box unharmed and you
will receive a full refund.

Second, if anything goes wrong during the
first 90 days we'll fix it free, as long as it
hasn't been misused. Send it back to our
service center. We pay postage both ways.
We promise to correct the problem within
48 hours of receipt, or call you if we
have a question.

Third, a nationwide service contract is being
offered to protect your computer for one
year or longer. Details will be clearly spelled
out for your review when you receive your
computer. You don't have to decide if you
want it now. Very few of these computers
ever need repairs, but if you want extra
protection, it's available.

Finally, our toll-free 800 Hot Line experts
are standing by to help. They speak plain
English, too.

A FINAL NOTE

We are totally convinced this is the best
product on the market today. Clearly, there
is no other computer so capable, so
practical, so very affordable . . . and so
portable.

$

1777

includes all this:

• Z-80A Main Processor

• 64K User RAM

• 5 Microprocessor;

• CP/M 2.2 operating
system

• 7" Amber adjustable
Display, 80 characters
X 25 lines

• Detachable Keyboard
with 3-foot coiled cord

• 15 function keys with
numeric keypad

• Also functions as
Electronic typewriter

« 80 Characters per
second bi-directional
impact dot matrix
printer with Graphics
capability

•Two 5V»" double
density Disk Drives

• 360K bytes disk
memory

• Acoustical Coupler and
Direct-Connect Modem

• Two RS232C Ports

• Real Time Clock

ORDE
NOW

Application Software
included:

• Perfect Writer:
Powerful, easy to use
word processor

• Perfect Speller:
Automatic spelling
checker program with
50,000 word dictionary

• Perfect Calc: advanced
spreadsheet and
financial modeler

• Perfect Filer: High-
performance data
management system

• Fancy Font: A variety of
type styles and sizes

• Money Maestro: Home
accounting and
financial record-keeping

• Personal Pearl: Data
base information
manager

• M Basic and C Basic:
Programming
languages

• The Source: America's
information utility

• Built-in diskette Storage

• Modular Servicing

• Size: 16-1/8" wide X
10" high X 10-13/16"
deep

• Weight: 33 lbs

• Instruction manuals &
training cassette tapes

• 15 day money-back
guarantee

• 90 day service warranty

• 1-year optional service
contract

• Toll Free 800 Service
Hot Line

Call Toll Free 24 Hours
800-824-7888, ext. 356

800-824-7919, ext. 356
Alaska and Hawaii Only

TRY THIS COMPLETE COMPUTER
SYSTEM RISK FREE

To order The Computer For People Who
Love Money risk free with your credit card,
call toll free or send your check or money
order for $1777. Postage and handling is
included. NV residents add 5Vt% sales tax.
(If you're in a big hurry, add $49 and we'll
ship airfreight immediately). All other
orders allow ten days to two weeks.

M*P*S Distributors, Inc. 1105 Terminal
Way, Suite 202, Reno, NV 89502

Perfect Writer, Perfect Speller. Perfect Filer, Perfect Calc. and Perfect Software are registered trademarks of Perfect Software, Inc. CP/M and C Basic are registered
trademarks of Digital Research, Inc. Fancy Font is a registered trademark of Softcraft, Inc. M Basic is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Money Maestro is a
registered trademark of InnoSys, Inc. Personal Pearl is a registered trademark of PEARLSOFT. THE SOURCE is a service mark of Source Telecomputing Corporation,
a subsidiary of The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation. DEC is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation. Altos is a registered trademark of Altos Computer Systems. Epson is a
registered trademark of Epson America, Inc. Compaq is a registered trademark of COMPAQ Computer Corporation. Kaypro is a registered trademark of Non-Linear
Systems, Inc. Eagle is a registered trademark of Eagle Computer, Inc. Zilog is a trade name of Zilog, Inc. Radio Shack is a registered trademark, a division of Tandy
Corporation. Texas Instruments is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments, Inc. Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. The
Computer For People Who Love Money and TCFPWLM are service marks of M'P'S Distributors, Inc.

The Allegory of Software

Beyond, behind, and beneath the electronic desk

by Tom Houston

People, like computers, process informa-
tion, using languages to encode and com-
municate the meanings of things. In our
speech and in our ideas about the world,
we are the inheritors of cultural traditions
whose continuity can be traced backward
to prehistory. For a few human endeavors,
such as hunting or food preparation, the
antiquity of our ideas and symbols is no
handicap, because we do some things in
pretty much the same way as our
ancestors.

We do other things that they never
dreamed of, but in our habits of thought
and language we prefer to reuse old terms,
coining new words only as a last resort.
A diesel vehicle might be "driven" by a
"teamster," though no nosebag of oats
awaits his horsepower. He is directed in
traffic by left- and right-pointing "ar-
rows," though today only aborigines and
anthropologists make stone projectile
points. Most English words have more
than one meaning because there are more
things than words. Recycling old symbols
to denote new things reduces the need to
learn new words, enabling people to get
by with small active vocabularies. Most
new meanings are acquired through
analogy: some similarity is asserted be-
tween an established meaning of a word
and a new notion that needs to be given
a name.

In the very broadest sense, computers
do the same thing that other tools like
arrows and diesel engines do: they
amplify the power of our fingers. But
computers do things in ways so different
that analogies with older technologies are

often not at all obvious. Proof of this is
that the first few decades of the age of
computers produced far more
neologisms— previously nonexistent
words such as "byte," "software," and
"multiuser'— than other arts like arrow
making or truck driving had required in
their longer histories.

This concerned no one when a com-
puter cost many times the price of a truck.
In those days the few people who had to
interact with computers tended to be an
intellectual elite, people with big vocab-
ularies who were comfortable with what
laymen rightly regarded as esoteric
terminology.

Suddenly, in the late 1970s, everything
began to change, so that today the situa-
tion is reversed: the average truck costs
many times the price of the average com-
puter. Truck drivers, their spouses,
children, and other people take smaller
vocabularies to the computer console. The
word "friendly" has a new, bitterly anti-
technical meaning, and manufacturers
and software publishers who hope to lead
in the computerization of the home and
workplace hasten to translate the special
vocabulary of data processing into the
vernacular.

This is an admirable, democratic, and
perhaps profitable undertaking, but as
with other matters that affect our life and
culture, anything worth doing is worth
doing right. One natural alternative to
the engineering jargon and acronyms of
the past is the use of metaphor; the un-
familiar procedures and tools of informa-
tion processing are mapped onto an ac-

tivity that is already familiar to the user.
Are some systems of metaphor or analogy
superior to others? Certainly yes, if by
"superior" we mean a choice of symbolism
that speeds learning and makes it easier
for the novice or scatterbrained user to
remember how to use a computer in a way
that increases his or her productivity.
Consider the "electronic desk" metaphor
of Apple's Lisa: most people with Lisas
know what a desk is and what people do
at desks.

Are some systems of metaphor less
suitable? Yes, and most are much worse.
Infinities of mathematical isomorphisms
can be used to map anything onto
anything else. Computer operations, for
example, closely parallel certain metabolic
processes of the giant squid, but this is
an unhelpful metaphor for people un-
familiar with giant squids (see figure 1).
In contrast, the legend on a light switch
("ON," "OFF") describes the two states
of a circuit breaker in terms of a spatial
metaphor that Beowulf could have quick-
ly grasped, had he been able to read.

Yet there is something disquieting about
Lisa's desk metaphor. If the computer is
going to revolutionize the white-collar
workstation, then the primitive desk
described by the Lisa screen icons may
soon be unrecognizable to business users.
Fortunately, other metaphors are available
that the poets and marketing types
responsible for maintaining computer
symbolism might find more useful, sym-
bols drawn from fixed and unchanging
aspects of our lives and culture. Several
of these are proposed below.

210 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

CONPUTER
ASSISTED
DESIGN

GRAPHICS

CRITICAL
PATH

ANALYSIS

TYPING
POOL

ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE

INVENTORY CONTROL

Figure 1: The inappropriate giant-squid metaphor.

Everyone who eats will appreciate
the universal symbolism of the
Digital Kitchen, based upon the
striking similarities between informa-
tion processing and food processing.
Here the Refrigerator icon accesses
removable disk storage, and the
Freezer sends files to and from the
hard disk. Selecting the Recipe Book
icon provides Help files, and each of
the six Burner symbols on the Stove
offers a different delicious way of
cooking one's data— word processing,
spreadsheet, inventory control, data-
base management, statistical pack-
age, and report generator, each coded
with a different on-screen color and
by the olfactory signals of an Aroma
Synthesizer.

The little Telephone icon provides
modem communications, and the
Open Window activates the network
controller for access to neighboring
systems. Graphics work is accom-
plished through the Cake Decorating
Kit icon, and various system utilities
are accessed through the Spice Rack.

Floppy disks are formatted by select-
ing the Dish Washer, and the little
Garbage Disposal symbol gives the
erase command. The Flyswatter
loads a debugging tool, and the Oven
symbolizes compiler and interpre-
ters—what language is indicated
mnemonically by the type of cuisine
selected (American for BASIC,

The Digital Kitchen

analogizes information

processing and food

processing.

Chinese for COBOL, French for
FORTRAN, Italian for Interpreted
BASIC, etc.).

For dual processor systems, the
"COLD" and "HOT" faucets of the
Kitchen Sink icon choose between
8-bit and 16-bit CPUs. A Potholder is
used to direct the cursor to any of the
above symbols. Note that this icono-
graphy avoids nontraditional kitchen
items such as trash compactors,

smoke detectors, bacon flatteners,
and electric can openers, which
might become obsolete or may not
yet be familiar to some users outside
the United States.

Some may regard the system of
metaphors given above as excessive-
ly domestic and inconsistent with the
prestige and power of an executive
console. In recognition of the fact that
many hard-hitting businesspersons
rarely go home, we propose as an
alternative the Electronic Cocktail
Lounge. Rather than clutter the
screen with gadgets whose real-
world functions top-level executives
leave to their staff, this system of
symbols depicts a bar in which each
software function is personified by
icons of a Waitress (the Help menu),
a Bartender (operating-system com-
mands), and various Patrons.

The Patrons represent the applica-
tions programs available to the user:
a Bookkeeper, with a distinctive
green eyeshade, represents account-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 211

ing software; a Bookmaker, with a
loud tie, signifies spreadsheets; an ef-
ficient Secretary selects word pro-
cessing; an exotic foreign Linguist
stands for programming languages;
an Artist, in beret and smock, does
graphics work; a Security Officer, in
full uniform, puts passwords on files
and devices; a burly Warehouseman
handles mass storage; a prim Lib-
rarian performs archival functions; a
Middle Manager, in a three-piece
suit, stands ready to provide data-
base management; and a friendly
Bouncer will 86 unwanted files. The
cursor is directed with a Swizzle
Stick. Less expensive systems would
offer more sparsely populated
Lounges, typically with a seedier
clientele and no happy hour.

One difference between Lisa's elec-
tronic desk and an ordinary desk is
that you can only hide a bottle inside
a real drawer, but this Cocktail
Lounge symbolism is likely to offend
users who agree that alcohol poison-
ing is among the dominant factors in
Western history. Less controversial is
a different metaphor, which depicts
more realistically how work gets
done in a real office. Called the Elec-
tronic Secretary, it provides a number
of unique capabilities, such as pur-
chasing thoughtful gifts for the user's
loved ones on anniversaries and
birthdays and using its voice syn-
thesizer to provide convincing misin-
formation on the user's whereabouts,
via modem, to incoming calls from
persons listed in the IMNOTIN file.
Its screen is not illustrated here
because, apart from the cursor, it
uses icons very similar to those of the
Lisa. ("Why reinvent the desk?" a
spokesman asked rhetorically at the
Lisa Imitation, Simulation, and
Emulation (LISE) trade show in
Kowloon last year.)

For vertical markets, the Electronic
Elevator is an almost ideal image in
terms of its familiarity to office
workers, its established design, and
the ease of drawing the array of cir-
cular icons. Here each Floor
represents an applications program,
so the user only needs to know
where to get off. The Buttons repre-

senting each floor are selected by
moving a cursor, which is im-
aginatively shaped like a finger.

Before desktop computers, CRTs
were primarily instruments of
escapist entertainment, and this
traditional association can be ex-
ploited by software imagery to
dramatize the Adventure of Data Pro-
cessing (ADP). The icons create an
Electronic Jungle, symbolizing the
salient features of a typical business
environment. The configurable cur-
sor can be in the form of an Explorer,
Adventuress, Apeman, Tribesman,
or Field Representative, selectable by
the user. The dense Foliage (paper-
work) can be cleared away by the
Machete (word processor), by Fire
(the erase command), or by the other
members of the Safari (electronic
mail). Behind some of the bushes
lurk dangerous Beasts (data files and
creditors), who can be subdued by
specialized software tools such as
Cages (mass storage), Nets (spread-
sheets), and Firearms (database-
management software). To "bring 'em
back alive," your Backpack (directory)
has Cameras (graphics packages) and
Tranquilizing Darts (report
generators). A Witch Doctor version
is available for medical applications.

A few readers may object that some
of the metaphors proposed here are
not worth implementing because the
actual resemblance between the icons
and the software functions that they
symbolize is farfetched, arbitrary,
obscure, ludicrous, or counterin-
tuitive. Opinions of this sort reveal a
literal-mindedness that should
delight in the Electronic Electronic
Computer (or EEC, as these are
called in Europe). The on-screen im-
age depicts a little Computer, com-
plete with Keyboard, Screen, Disk
Drives, Software, and Technical
Manuals. The Cursor, controlled by
a "bug," is in the form of a cursor. By
using this to press the keys on the lit-
tle Keyboard, programs can be in-
voked and systems commands given,
just as on a real computer. Engineers,
programmers, and other computer
industry professionals who are al-
ready comfortable with pre-Lisa com-

puters are more likely than neo-
phytes to prefer this iconography.
Systems capable of concurrency can
have several EECs on the physical
screen at once, each running a pro-
gram as a virtual console. Pressing
the Help key on the Keyboard of the
little Computer icon will cause an
even smaller Computer to appear on
the screen of the Computer icon,
with helpful messages on the Screen
of the Screen within a Screen.
Systems with finite RAM are typical-
ly incapable of infinite regress.

Although most readers of this
magazine tend to view the prolifera-
tion of computers with equanimity or
approval and accept the computeriza-
tion of the office as beneficial, others
fear or mistrust the new technology
and imagine that things were better
in the good old days. Traditionalists
may prefer iconography based on the
metaphor of the Low-Tech Electronic
Stone Age (LESA), in which the cur-
sor (called the Rock) is directed at
targets representing different applica-
tions software functions. The Giant
Parrot is a word processor; the Saber-
tooth Cat invokes accounting soft-
ware; the Woolly Mammoth is a big
spreadsheet; and the Cave provides
both mass storage and walls on
which graphics work can be per-
formed. Figure 2 exhibits the
Neanderthal version, set in a
Pleistocene landscape. An Australo-
pithecine version is designed for
technological conservatives who ab-
solutely dislike computers. The same
icons appear as in the illustration, but
instead of actually loading programs,
their effect is to send gutteral com-
mands to coworkers who rank lower
in the primate horde. While all this
may seem like a clumsy metaphor, it
provides more reassurance than a
mere desk to those who long for the
bygone days when typewriters ruled
the earth.

All of these metaphors compare
the computer to things from the pre-
sent or past. Because computers
seem to have more of a future than
we do, shouldn't we compare them
to things to come? In a few years,
when today's adolescents take their

212 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

CAVE

Figure 2: The low-tech electronic stone-age icons.

place in the office (or wherever they
will work, if any of them ever get
jobs), surely their arcade training will
have prepared them not for the
drawers and papers of our quaint
desks, but for the joystick and fire
button of a Business Battlestation, il-
lustrated in Figure 3. The cursor is the
crosshairs, and work tasks are shown
as elements of the Enemy Fleet. After

all, who would want to process data
when it's more fun to blast it? This
symbolism offers users a chance to
use strategy, tactics, and advanced
weapons against files and deadlines.
This metaphor of combat may at first
glance seem unbusinesslike, but it
has long motivated lawyers, coaches,
soldiers, cinema heroes, and other
rugged individuals respected in our

ON
®

o

OFF

DEBT RAY

culture. With a high-performance
spacecraft and an arsenal of Phraser
Beams (word processors), Debt Rays
(accounting modules), Time Warp
(scheduling utilities), and the like,
these futuristic systems will quickly
recover their development costs
through the quarters inserted by their
users.
Naturally, rather sophisticated soft-

l9)@

(

SEAT BELTS

)

""▼ )

••••F I

\FU\EL

[Neut

Neutrino Torpedoes

^

FIRE

Figure 3: The business battlestation icons.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 213

ware will be required that can useful-
ly process information by "blasting"
it, but this is not the place to go into
the tedious coding details of next-
generation "smart" programs that
can be used by operators who have
no idea of what they are doing. Suf-
fice it to say that these advanced
routines will identify the user's prob-
lems and destroy them. Powerful
icon-driven software that combines
both operating systems and applica-
tions program functions may require
great effort to develop, even if the
iconography is borrowed from exist-
ing video games.

Conclusion

In this postindustrial age, computer
literacy is already linked to economic sur-
vival. Our society may have no choice but
to reallocate the resources that are now
devoted to outmoded institutions like our
educational system and instead to develop
software that will minimize the skills
necessary to operate a computer. Like the
small mammals that ultimately displaced
the dinosaurs, Lisa's mouse and visual
imagery may be the first step toward of-

fice systems whose keyboard will devolve
into something more simplified, like a
light-switch, and whose screen icon will
invoke a single program so versatile and
so omniscient that it will not matter
whether the user can remember anything.

A "friendly" computer is easier to im-
agine than to describe, but friendliness
clearly has something to do with sub-
stituting symbols drawn from natural
language and ordinary life in place of
technical terms in the dialogue between
user and computer. One celebrated at-
tempt to make an advanced computer
friendly is found in the icon-driven in-
tegrated software of Apple's Lisa, based
upon the metaphor of a desk. Because
desks as we currently know them will
soon exist only in antique shops and Lisa
manuals, this article has proposed a
number of alternative metaphors that
seem less subject to obsolescence. These
seem more suitable for incorporating in-
to school curricula or imitating in Hong
Kong because they are based upon un-
changing and eternal things: the kitchen,
the tavern, the cave, the computer, and
the flying saucer.

Readers who currently have or who

will soon have a Lisa can take advantage
of any or all of these suggestions, at least
regarding the names of the icons, because
the Lisa software allows the user to
replace the standard icon names with
user-defined names, using the Lisa text-
editing utility. If the metaphors recom-
mended here or customized terms sup-
plied by the user are substituted for the
"electronic-desk" nomenclature, however,
the printed manual provided by Apple
may become less helpful. Readers who are
currently developing integrated software
packages for commercial distribution are
invited to incorporate any or all of these
suggestions into their iconography and
documentation; we will regard as ample
reward the satisfaction of advancing the
state of the art, and a royalty fee that our
lawyers can describe. ■

Tom Houston, Ph.D. (Gifford Computer Systems,
POB 1917, San beandro, CA 94577) is an educa-
tional psychologist and writer who has worked with
small computers since 1976. Coauthor of the Gif-
ford MP/M 8-16 User's Manual and of the Com-
pupro Systems 816/A and 816/B User Guide, he
edits the Gifford Observer, a multiuser CP/M and
S-100 newsletter.

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214 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Prices subject to change without notice.

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BYTE December 1983 215

See
Software

Dick is a programmer. Dick is bored.
Harried. Overworked. Dick struggles
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and

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See

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of the program explaining itself. In live
action. In real time. In COBOL source
code. As ANIMATOR displays the program
listing, the cursor tracks the exact exe-
cution path. Including subroutine branches.

216 BYTE December 1983

The view is precise. Compact. Unambiguous.

Jane can have the program run fast.
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Insert fixes. Set breakpoints. Examine
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)1983 Micro Focus Inc.

Circle 286 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 217

The New Interface Technology

An Introduction to Windows and Mice

The new computer systems will be easier to use and more
productive than their predecessors

A new breed of personal computer
hardware and software is beginning
to enter the marketplace. These sys-
tems will be both easier to use and
more productive than their predeces-
sors. People who are not computer
experts will feel comfortable using
these personal computers in their
day-to-day work, and experienced
users will make fewer errors.

This "new interface technology"
encompasses developments in hard-
ware and software that essentially
reduce the number of things a user
must remember in order to use a sys-
tem effectively. On the hardware
side, pointing devices such as mice,
touchscreens, and high-resolution
graphics displays simplify communi-
cation between the user and the sys-
tem. The software offers integration,
multiple windows, and commands
issued by selection from menus using
the pointing devices. The combina-
tion of these features ensures that the
users can concentrate on how people
work instead of on how computers
work.

Examples of the new technology
currently or soon to be on the market
include hardware/software combina-
tions such as Apple's Lisa and
Hewlett-Packard's 150 and software
such as Visicorp's Visi On and Micro-
soft's Windows.

History

How did all of this new technology
come about? Much of the work can
be attributed to Xerox PARC (Palo
Alto Research Center) and its Learn-
ing Research Group (LRG). But the

by Robert W. Warfield

seeds of the technology can be traced
farther back to Douglas Englebart's
work on using computers to augment
human intelligence (reference 2). It
was Englebart's group that first in-
vented the now-familiar mouse and
incorporated multiple windows into
the design of text editors. Englebart's
work is discussed in Ted Nelson's ex-
cellent book, Computer Lib/Dream Ma-
chines (Nelson is another visionary
who has been discussing the new in-

terface technology since long before
it was a reality on any computer).

The work at Xerox PARC began in
1971, when Alan Kay founded the
Learning Research Group and ini-
tiated a project called Dynabook
(reference 3). Dynabook was to have
been a notebook-sized personal com-
puter that anyone, even children,
could use in day-to-day work and
that everyone would want to use. The
Xerox Alto personal computer (refer-

Video Pointing
Devices: Enter
the Touch Tablet

Popular video pointing devices include
mice, touch tablets, joysticks, trackballs,
touchscreens, light pens, and digitizing
tablets. Of these, the mouse and the touch
tablet are far superior for most video point-
ing needs. The mouse, virtually unknown
a year ago, by now needs no explanation.
The touch tablet as a pointing device is just
beginning to be noticed.

Touch Tablets

Touch tablets are just emerging as viable
pointing devices. The Koalapad touch tablet
is one example. (Editor's note: Another ex-
ample is the Powerpad from Chalk Board,
Atlanta, Georgia.) The Koalapad is a hand-
held touch tablet with a drawing surface
that allows the movement of a finger to
create pictures on video displays. Locations
touched on the tablet's surface are con-
verted into X,Y coordinates that are sent
to a computer through a game port or a

digital interface. Game-port Koalapad
touch tablets are analog devices and are
comparatively inexpensive. The digital
touchpad is more expensive and is compat-
ible with any computer that will accept
RS-232C inputs. The drawing area is
pressure-sensitive; any blunt pointing de-
vice such as a finger or a retracted ball-
point pen can be used.

Touch Tablets vs. Digitizing
Tablets

A digitizing tablet is a flat panel that
typically rests on a table top and produces
accurate coordinate values for the location
of a hand-held electrical stylus pressed
against its surface. This has advantages
and disadvantages in relation to touch tab-
lets, which are actuated by touch rather
than by special pens or styli. Touch sens-
ing is an advantage in text editing, for ex-
ample, when the typist must move a hand
from the keyboard to manipulate a point-
ing device; the added step of picking up a
stylus is a nuisance.

On the other hand, the digitizing tablet
is superior to the touch tablet for the
specialized application of digitizing draw-
ings. Laying an arm or hand on the tablet

218 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

ence 14) was used to build a pro-
totype Dynabook system.

Although hardware limitations pre-
vented commercial production of
Dynabook, many of the features of
the new interface technology can be
traced directly to the prototyping ef-
forts behind it. One of the most im-
portant products to come out of the
Dynabook project was the Smalltalk
language (reference 5). From these ef-
forts followed many others that ex-
panded the basic concepts to make
them usable in a general computing
environment, including newer ver-
sions of Smalltalk that introduced
overlapping windows, the Xerox Star
workstation (reference 12), which in-
troduced icons, and a number of
similar projects conducted by the
LISP community using personal
computers that execute LISP as their
machine language.

Hardware for the New Interface
Technology

These systems are unique in their
attempt to coordinate the design of
hardware and software. Many of the

hardware features are predicated by
the need to run more complex soft-
ware while retaining an adequate
level of system responsiveness. The
systems use 16-bit processors (so far
either the Intel 8088, found in the
IBM PC and the HP 150, or the
Motorola 68000, found in the Lisa).
The integrated software requires at
least 512K bytes of RAM and a half-
megabyte of disk storage (often a
Winchester hard disk).

Referring to these machines as
microcomputers is misleading. Sys-
tems equipped with this much mem-
ory a hard disk, and a 16-bit pro-
cessor can approach the processing
speed of modern minicomputers,
since the personal computer need
support only a single user.

The remaining hardware features,
high-resolution bit-mapped graphics
display and a pointing device, serve
to increase the I/O (input/output)
bandwidth. The high-resolution
graphics display is important because
it enables the computer to commu-
nicate information to the user far
more efficiently than is possible with

text-only and low-resolution displays.
The old adage about a picture being
worth a thousand words is, if any-
thing, too conservative an estimate of
the value of these displays. When-
ever possible, the new systems take
advantage of graphics to enhance
communication with the user. They
provide constant visual feedback to
help guide the user and enhance the
overall quality of the system. It is
possible to display text in different
fonts and to space text proportional-
ly just as it will appear when printed,
a technique called "what you see is
what you get." This means that the
user will have to go through fewer
edit-print iterations to produce a
document that looks right.

The pointing device is the input
counterpart of the graphics display.
Without a pointing device, menus
can become an endless series of
delays for the user who already
knows what he wants to do and how
to do it. Of pointing devices that are
widely available— among them mice,
touchscreens, trackballs, joysticks,
light pens, and graphics tablets— the

to steady the drawing finger would be fine
for a digitizer but would activate a touch
tablet at the wrong location.

Touch tablet linearity (guaranteed up to
approximately 7 bits) is also inferior to that
of digitizing tablets (typically guaranteed
up to 11 bits). However, touch tablets can
allow a single pixel to be selected by point-
ing on a video display with 10 bits (10,024
points) of resolution in each dimension.
This is achieved with visual feedback, rock-
ing the finger around the tablet surface. In
other words, even though the absolute
positional accuracy of touch-tablet sensing
is only 99.0 percent (1 percent error) of the
screen, the relative positional accuracy can
be better than 99.9 percent (0.1 percent er-
ror). In the final analysis, touch sensing
is adequate for most applications, including
CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and
manufacturing), where the visual feedback
is sufficient to allow accurate pointing. For
digitizing operations such as map tracing
or graph tracing, the digitizing tablet is the
better choice.

Touch Tablets vs. Mice

The mouse is a hand-held video point-
ing device with a sensor in the bottom to

detect motion over a flat surface. It has been
adequately described in the many articles
on the Apple Lisa computer (February 1983
BYTE). The mouse is the preferred point-
ing device for text-editing applications
because it is the most comfortable to use
and, with the exception of tablets, is also
the fastest. (For a detailed analysis of the
mouse's performance compared to other in-
put 7tiethods, see reference 1.)

On the other side of the coin, the mouse
is inferior to a tablet stylus or finger for
drawing. Furthermore, the touch tablet is
less expensive than the mouse and requires
less desktop space. While most office-auto-
mation productivity tools in the near future
probably will feature the mouse, I believe
that the touch tablet will be the favorite
on home computers and eventually will be-
come an integral part of business systems.

Touch Tablets vs. Touchscreens

A touchscreen is essentially a touch tab-
let made of transparent material mounted
in front of a video display. (Editor's note:
The HP 150 uses an optical touchscreen.
See October 1983 BYTE.) Touchscreens are
primarily valuable for information retrieval
from computers in public places where any

one particular user does not enter frequent
queries. A user's pointing arm will tire
with prolonged use of touchscreens. Fur-
thermore, a finger obscures small detail
(such as text) when pointing. Being too
close to video displays for prolonged periods
may create problems in terms of eyestrain
and screen radiation.

Touch Tablets vs. Joysticks,
Light Pens, Etc.

Joysticks and trackballs have been inves-
tigated as alternatives to the mouse and the
touch tablet. Their speed of locating a ran-
domly placed target on a video display is
inferior to the mouse's (reference 1). Al-
though joysticks are the least expensive of
all video pointing devices, they are inade-
quate for drawing and rapid pointing.

Light pens are potentially as inexpensive
as touch tablets, but they have the same
drawbacks as touchscreens: user fatigue
and proximity to video display, and obscur-
ing detail when in use.

In summary, I believe that touch tablets
have some real advantages, in performance
and cost, over other video pointing devices
for many applications.

—George M. White

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 219

mouse is the preferred one. (See
"Video Pointing Devices: Enter the
Touch Tablet" on page 218.)

Mice have been compared with
several other types of pointing
devices (reference 1) and have proven
superior to other methods with one
exception: a skilled touch-typist
could do slightly better with control
sequences. Mice are cheaper to
manufacture than most of the other
devices as well. Mice are high-reso-
lution devices; it is possible to point
to a single pixel on a high-resolution
screen. I've done it often on a 1024-
by 800-pixel screen— try that with a
joystick or trackball! Also, a mouse
stays put if you take your hand off it,
an important property when you're
constantly alternating between a
pointing device and the keyboard.

Software for the New Interface
Technology

The most important and revolu-
tionary aspect of the new interface

technology is the software. It is possi-
ble to produce many types of systems
with the hardware just mentioned
that do not qualify as the new tech-
nology. There are three obvious com-
ponents of this special software from
the user's point of view: multiple
overlapping windows, commands
issued by selection from menus using
the pointing device, and applications
programs that can communicate in-
formation to other programs simply
and consistently. Subsets of these
features have been available in older
products, but the whole package is
more effective than any of the parts.
The use of windows and pointing
devices is central to all of the new sys-
tems and is the most obvious im-
provement over older systems. When
the system is in operation, the screen
represents a workspace, often viewed
as a desktop, and may be filled with
several rectangular regions or "win-
dows." (See "The Desktop Meta-
phor.") Usually, a single program is

associated with each window, and it
is through its window that a program
communicates with the user.

The Lisa system represents system
objects, such as files, in picture sym-
bols or "icons." The idea behind icons
is similar to the idea behind pictorial
road signs: to convey maximum in-
formation in minimum time. Icons
are one reason high-resolution
graphics capabilities are important.
Systems with screen resolutions in-
adequate to display icons make do
with small boxes containing text.

Located somewhere on the screen
at all times is a cursor that is linked
to the pointing device. When the user
moves the mouse, for example, the
cursor moves proportionately. This
cursor represents the focus of atten-
tion for the user. It may be in the
form of an arrow that can point to a
precise point of the screen. All input
to the system takes place near the tip
of the arrow, which is the cursor's
"hot-spot."

The Desktop
Metaphor

A revolution is occurring in computing.
It is based on techniques for controlling
computers by pointing to video symbols in-
stead of typing commands on keyboards.
It has given rise to the "desktop metaphor,"
which will characterize user interaction
with business computers in the future.

The desktop metaphor refers to symbols
on computer displays that represent office
equipment. These symbols are not passive
pictures but are typically used to control
computer simulations of activities per-
formed at a desk. The desk is presumed to
be equipped with a telephone, file folders,
paper pads, wastebaskets, and so on. The
video symbols of these desktop accessories
are called "icons." Icons are computational-
ly empowered to simulate the real objects
they represent. They are activated when
the user points to them with nonkeyboard
video pointing devices. An activated icon
performs a computational task. For example,
pointing to a picture of a sheet of paper and
then to a picture of a wastebasket indicates
that you want the sheet of paper thrown
away (or removed from the screen by the
computer).

In general, you can create, send, file,

and/or discard messages, graphs, charts,
electronic mail, and other documents on
the computer by simply pointing to icons.
The computer user no longer needs to be
an expert to accomplish these tasks. Indeed,
the user can rely on the shape and spacial
arrangement of icons to provide clear and
intuitive hints on their functions.

The intuitive nature of icons is no acci-
dent; it is the central point of the desktop
metaphor. The user's knoivledge of real-
world desk equipment is designed to create
analogies that carry over into the symbolic
world of computer icons.

The desktop metaphor is actually a spe-
cial case of a more general principle, the
"physical metaphor" of computing, which
was the brainchild of Alan Kay. Dr. Kay
in this regard is the intellectual father of
Xerox Star and Apple Lisa, which make
extensive use of icons. His idea was that
computers would be easier to learn to use
if computer programs acted more like
physical objects than like mathematical
abstractions. People have good intuitions
regarding physical objects. This intuition
would help them to understand computers
if computers were to exhibit similar
properties.

In these systems the user might find
overlapping sheets of paper symbolically
displayed and might properly deduce that

he can see obscured pages by moving the
uppermost pages. This certainly makes the
storage and retrieval of text files more com-
prehensible than an admonition to type
something like "LOAD FILENAME. EXT".
The degree to which the "physical meta-
phor" signals a fundamental advance for
man-machine communication may not be
obvious. To fully appreciate the metaphor,
consider that controlling a computer by
typing text on a keyboard involves different
mental skills and different parts of the brain
than are required for drawing pictures or
pointing to icons. Visual thinking takes
place in the right hemisphere of the brain,
while verbal thinking takes place in the left
hemisphere of the brain (assuming normal
dominance). When the average western
thinker communicates with phonetic lan-
guage, he uses primarily his left cerebral
cortex. This is also the part of the brain
that dominates during keyboard text com-
munication with computers. The right
hemisphere of the brain, on the other hand,
is involved more with visual thinking and
is believed to be the source of artistic and
creative thought. Perhaps even more im-
portant is the fact that spatial and visual
information is easier to memorize than ver-
bal/textual information.

—George M. White

220 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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The cursor facilitates selection and
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ulated. Highlighting the selected ob-
ject provides important visual feed-
back, a feature often overlooked in
conventional interface design. With-
out feedback, it is impossible to tell
whether the system has responded to
the user's request, so the user may
repeat the command in an effort to
be sure the machine understands.
This is undesirable, particularly in
systems that have type-ahead buffers.

The mouse can conveniently ac-
complish a couple of other opera-
tions. For example, it can drag textual
and graphical objects about the
screen to achieve a desired arrange-
ment. Some systems provide
"knobs" and "levers" with which to
control the objects on the screen. In
Lisa, windows scroll when the cur-
sor drags small "elevators" along the
edges of the window.

Another mouse application is
called "rubber-band graphics." An ex-
ample is the rubber-band window,
where one corner of the window re-
mains fixed and the diagonally op-
posite corner is tied to the mouse cur-
sor. The window remains rec-
tangular, but the lengths of its sides
are varied by dragging the corner
around on the screen, which stretch-
es the window (hence the name
rubber-band). The visual effect asso-
ciated with this operation is quite im-
pressive and one of the more pleas-
ing aspects of the system. The same
technique may be used in graphical
drawing programs where lines,
curves, and other graphical objects
can be stretched or moved in rubber-
band fashion.

Menus in these systems typically
present only the options that are
useful for the job at hand and avoid
confusing the user with massive,
largely irrelevant lists of possibilities.
Because of this, menus are usually
kept short and invalid selections can-
not be made.

A valuable software capability
found in the new systems is the abili-
ty to transfer data easily between two

222 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 307 on inquiry card.

TEK

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Dc volts and ac
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The Tek 2236 makes gated coun-
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Copyright © 1983, Tektronix, Inc. All rights reserved. TTA-324. "U.S. Domestic price FO.B. Beaverton, Oregon. Price subject to change.

BYTE December 1983 223

applications programs. This enables
the user to view the programs as a set
of tools with which to manipulate
data. It doesn't make sense to have
to use one sort of "cut" command
with a text editor and another with
a graphics package.

To make these applications pro-
grams compatible with one another,
it is necessary to adopt a uniform
means of transferring data between
them. One may view the exchange of
data as occurring between two win-
dows, each window containing a pro-
gram. Any information that passes
beyond the confines of a window is
controlled by the desktop-manager
program (whose "window" is the
gray desktop area under the win-
dows), which sees to it that the
transfer between two windows is
always accomplished in the same
way.

Providing the ability to exchange
information among different pro-
grams in this way is one of the most
difficult aspects of designing these
systems. To underscore this difficul-
ty, consider that in both Lisa and Visi

On, the initial offering does not sup-
port the complete transfer of informa-
tion between any two programs.
However, both companies claim that
their products will eventually be able
to support this kind of operation.

Psychology and Philosophy of
the New Software

A great number of design decisions
in the development of the new soft-
ware were made on the basis of a few
philosophical tenets. Many of these
tenets were first analyzed in the
design of the Smalltalk system (see
"The Smalltalk Environment" by
Larry Tesler, August 1981 BYTE, page
90, for a good description of these)
and were later refined in the Xerox
Star project.

Every effort to build one of these
systems has been preceded by a long
period in which a user-interface
definition was hammered out. This
definition specifies the allowable
behavior of the system. All programs
that run on the system are expected
to conform to these guidelines. At
least four reasons exist for proceeding

in this way.

First, by limiting the number of
ways in which a program can interact
with the user and forcing all pro-
grams to obey these rules, the user
has less to remember when learning
and using the system.

Second, a good deal of effort can
be spent in choosing the best forms
of interaction and in insisting that all
programs use them. This is where
most of the philosophical tenets
come into play.

Third, the programs necessary to
do the graphical manipulations and
manage the mouse are very complex.
Often, they have to be written in
assembly language to achieve ade-
quate performance (this was the case
with both Lisa and Visi On). By
adopting the guidelines, it is possi-
ble for the manufacturer of the
original software to provide these
facilities so that developers of ap-
plications won't have to. Considering
the size of Lisa's desktop manager— 10
megabytes of source code— this is a
worthwhile savings to the software
developer.

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224 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 298 on inquiry card.

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BYTE December 1983 225

The fourth reason is that a precise
specification for all interaction makes
it easier to control the transfer of data
among applications programs, which
is one of the most difficult problems
in designing such a system.

The philosophical tenets of these
systems are very similar and revolve
around the concept of consistency.
The idea is that data objects that are
manipulated by computers can be
thought of in the same way we think
of real physical objects. There are two
components when describing any
operation on an object: the subject,
which is the object itself or some
reference to it, and the verb, which
is the action to be performed on the
object. Just as in the real world,
where the same verb may be applied
to many different subjects, so too can
the same action be applied to dif-
ferent data objects in the system.

Moving an object to a different
window can be accomplished in the
same way for a sentence, a graphic
image, or a block of numbers from a
spreadsheet. First the object is
selected, then the verb "cut" is sent
to the object, cutting it out of the win-
dow it currently lives in. Next, a new
location for the object is selected with
the mouse, and the verb "paste" is
sent. At no time does the user have
to worry about whether the object be-
ing moved is text, graphics, or
spreadsheet numbers. Of course, the
program underneath this user inter-

face has to be much more complex
than a program with a separate kind
of command for each type of object-
it deals with many kinds of objects
that can be "cut" and "pasted."
Object-oriented languages like Small-
talk work particularly well for this
kind of programming.

Simplicity is a component related
to consistency. By using "point and
click syntax," in which the user points
to an object with the cursor and
"clicks" (pushes a button on the

The new technology
makes it possible to

specify complex

behavior in a simple

consistent fashion.

mouse or lifts a finger from a touch-
screen) to select it, it is possible to
specify very complex types of
behavior in a simple, consistent
fashion. A system should be de-
signed so that it is intuitive; when a
user needs to do something he has
never done before, he should be able
to tell how to get started.

What Is to Be Gained from All
of This New Technology?

So far, there has been a lot of talk
about pretty graphics and philoso-
phy, but what is to be gained from
using one of these systems? The

answer to that question is simple:
these systems will be easier to use,
and the users of such a system will
be more productive. Many people
writing about this technology have
the idea that these systems are
primarily of use to novices. This is
most emphatically wrong!

The Smalltalk system is in fact un-
available to this class of users (so far)
and is used primarily by experts in
preference to other systems. The
same is true for similar systems de-
veloped by the LISP community. All
of these systems are designed with a
great deal of testing to determine
what types of interaction are best for
the user. While the emphasis is on
testing with naive users, a great deal
of testing with experts is also con-
ducted. Arguments against their utili-
ty for experts center around two
topics: it is inconvenient to switch
back and forth between mouse and
keyboard, and the new software is
slower than the old-style software.

The argument against mice is
wrong for three reasons. First, testing
has shown that only a good touch-
typist using control sequences can do
better than a mouse (and most com-
puter users aren't that good). Second,
the systems incorporate keyboard
control sequences as alternatives.
Third, many people who have used
such a system long enough to be-
come proficient at it find they use the
mouse far more than the keyboard.

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226 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 189 on inquiry card.

The speed argument is true in part.
The new programs can be slower
than the old, but this does not have
to be true if they are carefully writ-
ten and optimized. Furthermore,
many of the operations that are slow
on the new systems are not even
possible on the old systems. Certain-
ly the delays I have encountered on
the Lisa should not be irritating to the
user of a CP/M system with floppy
disks or, for that matter, a user of a
Vax 750 Unix system with 10 or more
users.

After having used several types of
computer systems to do large pro-
gramming projects, I have formulated
my own theory about the usefulness
of the new interface technology.
When you become proficient at any
system, you begin to think less and
less about what command to use for
a particular situation. A sort of sub-
conscious level of thought processes
handles this task. You simply think
to yourself, "I need to go compile this
program," and your fingers type the
necessary commands with little con-
scious effort. Meanwhile, your mind
is busy considering what the results
of the compile will be. Unfortunate-
ly, my fingers are prone to making er-
rors on most systems. When this
happens, my stream of conscious
thought is rudely interrupted by the
realization that the system is not do-
ing what I wanted it to, and I have
to stop and figure out what went
wrong.

Often this unpleasant sequence of
events occurs not because of any
typographical error; my fingers had
typed a perfectly valid command. It's
just that the particular mode I was in
did not understand how to deal with
the command. One system I use, for
example, offers six different ways to
accomplish an exit, depending on the
mode. It's not surprising that I often
type some exit sequence and find I'm
in the wrong mode for it to work or,
worse yet, that the sequence does
something totally unexpected.

The new interface technology
makes "exit" a generic verb that can
be executed in the same way for every
program. This is analogous to the
behavior of the physical universe,
which is governed by a small set of

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Circle 329 on inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 227

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laws that apply to objects no matter
what they are.

Furthermore, the state of the sys-
tem is always made readily apparent
through visual feedback. Another
nice feature of the new systems is that
it is harder to make a typo using a
mouse.

Simple, consistent computer sys-
tems make it easier for the sub-
conscious lower level to do its work
without interrupting the user's con-
scious stream of thought. This is the
behavior that is expected from a good
tool; a carpenter uses a hammer
without pausing to remember how it
works. Computer users who are
competent technicians in this sense
are rare, even among the experts that
use a system every day. This need not
be the case. The new interface tech-
nology can let most people become
competent technicians for the appli-
cations they use on a day-to-day
basis.

Disadvantages of the New
Technology

The new interface technology is not
without its drawbacks. Programs that
use this technology are much more
complex than older programs that ac-
complish similar tasks. As a result,
software will be more expensive to
produce. But such software will have
a much broader market appeal, so
the expense will be justified. The in-
creased complexity of the new soft-
ware will help to spur the introduc-
tion of more powerful personal com-
puting languages such as Logo and
Smalltalk. BASIC is no longer a suit-
able language for these machines. It
doesn't have the power of expressi-
bility needed to make full use of the
graphics capabilities of the new ma-
chines.

There is a tradeoff in speed associ-
ated with these machines as well. If
the old-style software were run with
the resources of the new machines,
it certainly would be faster. The new
software runs as fast as the better
8-bit software of today. But the in-
crease in usability of the new soft-
ware justifies a slight decrease in per-
formance. All the performance in the
world is useless unless it can be
harnessed and put to good use.

228 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 139 on inquiry card.

step into the future...

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COHERENT is a trade mark of Mark Williams Co. UNIX is a trade mark of Bell Laboratories. IBM PC and IBM XT are trade marks of International Business Machines Corporation.
Circle 315 on inquiry card. byte December 1983 229

Conclusion

The new interface technology rep-
resents the next era in user-interface
design. The potential advances in
productivity are at least comparable
to the advances made in going from
punched cards to full-screen editors.
It will also finally be possible for the
average person to use a computer in
his day-to-day work. The advent of
local-area networks will be another
feature of this style of computing.
Apple is committed to providing
communications and database-man-

agement applications for Lisa in the
near future. This provides some in-
dication of the important role infor-
mation processing and communica-
tion will play in the new systems. A
great deal of work is also being done
on voice recognition by computer,
which would eliminate the final
stumbling block to man-machine
communication— the keyboard.

It is interesting to speculate on
what the next step will be after the
new interface technology has been
assimilated. The new technology is

WHY THE

UNOFFICIAL APPLE LOGO

IS BETTER THAN

THE OFFICIAL ONE.

Logo is a simple, powerful programming language
designed for natural and interactive learning. It's a fast,
simple, fun way for you and your family to learn about
your computer, while you use your computer.
But what makes Terrapin™ Logo better than the
official Apple® Logo?

Terrapin Logo is true to the original Logo.
Apple Logo isn't.

Terrapin Logo was extensively field-
tested in schools. Apple Logo wasn't.
The Terrapin Logo tutorial is written for
both novice and advanced programmers.
The Apple Logo tutorial is just for the novice.
Terrapin Logo comes with a utility disk that contains sample programs and educa-
tional games. Apple Logo doesn't.

For classroom users, Terrapin Logo is available for network environments. Apple
Logo isn't.
And best of all, the list price of Terrapin Logo is $25 less than Apple Logo.
When all is said and done, it's easy to see
why Terrapin Logo, the Unofficial Logo, is
better than the official one.
Ask your dealer for it. Or call us directly.

m

Terrapin

The Logo People

Terrapin, Inc., 380 Green Street,
Cambridge, MA 02139, (617)492-8816

Terrapin Logo runs on the Apple® II, lie and Franklin ™ computers. Apple is a registered trademark ol Apple Computer, Inc.

related to work on artificial intelli-
gence. It represents an attempt to use
the best capabilities of man and
machine in synthesis. Once this has
been accomplished, it will be easier
to begin shifting more and more
human capabilities to the computer.
The eventual result would be an ar-
tificially intelligent computer. ■

References

1. Card, Stuart K., William K. English, and Betty
J. Burr. "Evaluation of Mouse, Data-Controlled
Isometric Joystick, Step Keys, and Text Keys
for Text Selection on a CRT." Ergonomics,
Volume 21, No. 8, 1978, pages 601-613.

2. Englebart, Douglas C, Richard W. Watson,
and James C. Norton. 'The Augmented
Knowledge Workshop." Proc NCC 1973,
pages 9-21.

3. Goldberg, Adele. "Introducing the Small-
talk-80 System." BYTE, August 1981, page 14.

4. Goldberg, Adele and David Robson. Small-
talk-80: The Language and Its Implementa-
tion. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1983.

5. Ingalls, Daniel H. "Design Principles Behind
Smalltalk." BYTE, August 1981, page 286.

6. Ingalls, Daniel H. 'The Smalltalk Graphics
Kernel." BYTE, August 1981, page 168.

7. Kay, Alan and Adele Goldberg. "Personal
Dynamic Media." Computer, March 1977,
pages 31-41.

8. Lemmons, Phil. "A Guided Tour of Visi On."
BYTE, June 1983, pages 256-278.

9. Nelson, Theodore H. Computer Lib/Dream
Machines. South Bend, IN: The Distributors,
1974.

10. Reenskaug, Trygve M.H. "User-Oriented
Descriptions of Smalltalk Systems." BYTE,
August 1981, page 147.

11. Robson, David. "Object-Oriented Software
Systems." BYTE, August 1981, page 74.

12. Smith, David C, Charles Irby, Ralph Kimball,
Bill Verplank, and Eric Harslem. "Designing
the Star User Interface." BYTE, April 1982,
pages 242-282.

13. Tesler, Larry. 'The Smalltalk Environment."
BYTE, August 1981, page 90.

14. Wadlow, Thomas A. 'The Xerox Alto Com-
puter." BYTE, September 1981, pages 58-68.

15. Xerox Learning Research Group. 'The Small-
talk-80 System." BYTE, August 1981, page 36.

Robert W. Warfield (8429 Hearth 031, Houston,
TX 77054) is a graduate student in computer science
at Rice University.

George M. White received a B.S. from Michigan
State University in math, chemistry, and physics;
a Ph.D. in chemical physics from the University
of Oregon; and was a postgraduate felloiu at Stan-
ford University. He worked for seven years with the
Xerox Palo Alto Research Center and is currently
chairman of the board of Koala Technologies (3100
Patrick Henry Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95050).

230 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Trackball-Interfacing

Techniques
for Microprocessors

This interfacing approach lets you adapt trackball devices to your
interactive personal computer applications

The age of interactive computing is
upon us, and a variety of I/O (input/
output) devices have been developed
to supplement the keyboard in pro-
viding convenient human-to-ma-
chine interfacing. Unfortunately, in
the past only simple joysticks and
pushbuttons have been priced low
enough to suit home computer appli-
cations. The LT200, a recent product
from Disc Instruments of Costa
Mesa, California, has brought the
trackball within reach of the home
computer market. This product pro-
vides accurate positioning of the cur-
sor displayed on a CRT (cathode-ray
tube), and it provides TTL-com-
patible outputs that can be readily in-
terfaced with a microcomputer with-
out elaborate and costly circuitry.
Moreover, the LT200 costs less than
$100, representing a major savings
compared to the trackballs designed
for commercial and military markets
that cost more than $1000.

This article describes general track-
ball-interfacing techniques and a sim-
ple hardware/software interface ap-
proach that can be adapted easily to
any home system.

Trackball Concepts

A trackball is an interactive control

by Edward W. Andrews

that consists of a solid ball, IV2 to 3
inches in diameter, mounted in a
base such that part of the ball's sur-
face is exposed, allowing the ball to
be rolled with the palm or fingertips.
The ball's rolling motion is coupled
to optical encoders that generate
pulses to indicate the direction and
rate of ball rotation. These pulses can
be coupled to a microprocessor,

A simple hardware/

software-based

trackball-interfacing

approach can be

adapted to any

personal computer

system.

which can then create proportional X-
Y motion of a CRT-displayed cursor.
The precision with which a track-
ball can be moved suits it to detailed
interactive graphics applications.
Commercially it has seen wide use in
computer-aided-design (CAD) sys-
tems. Other applications include in-
teractive analysis of medical X-ray,
nuclear, and ultrasound images.
Some video-arcade games have also

featured trackball controls.

Figure 1 shows the internal con-
struction of the LT200 trackball. Two
optical interrupter disks (the slotted
wheels) form the basis of an optical
encoder for each trackball axis. The
ball rests on two perpendicular rods
on which the interrupter disks are
mounted. Any movement of the ball
causes at least one of the rods to
rotate, in turn causing disk rotation
and, thus, pulse-train generation.
The frequency of these pulse-train
signals is proportional to the ball-
rotation speed along each axis. Most
trackballs generate 200 to 500 pulses
per revolution. The LT200, for exam-
ple, generates 480 pulses per revolu-
tion.

Because the two rods are perpen-
dicular, one encoder's output repre-
sents X-axis movement while the
other encoder's output represents Y-
axis movement. Each encoder in-
cludes sensing logic that determines
forward or reverse (or left or right)
movement along the corresponding
axis; a trackball device therefore fur-
nishes four signals indicating move-
ment in + X, -X, +Y, and — Y direc-
tions. When used to control cursor
positioning on a CRT, the trackball
must be properly oriented with

234 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

respect to the CRT to obtain the prop-
er correlation between ball movement
and cursor movement.

Basic Interfacing Concepts

Note that a trackball is essentially
an incremental or relative input
device. By rolling the trackball, an
operator signals his intent for the dis-
played cursor symbol to move in a
given direction and at a given rate,
away from the current cursor posi-
tion. In response to trackball rotation,
the cursor moves to a new position
based on its current position.

A review of some fundamental
CRT display-addressing concepts il-
lustrates how the incremental track-
ball signals can be interfaced to a
computer. Consider a CRT display
having an X-Y matrix of 256 by 256
pixels (picture elements). Within
such a matrix, the displayed cursor
location on the CRT can be specified
by an X, Y number pair. One 8-bit
number can uniquely define all
possible horizontal X pixel locations,
or addresses, on the CRT display,
starting with 0 on the left edge and
extending to 255 at the right edge of
the display. Similarly, a second 8-bit

value uniquely defines all possible
vertical Y pixel locations of the CRT,
starting with 0 at the bottom and
ending at 255 at the top edge of the
display. If the X and Y values defin-
ing the absolute cursor location can
be varied in response to the trackball,
an interactive control results.

Implementation Approaches

As figure 2 shows, a trackball inter-
face can be built using two simple
hardware up-down counter circuits.

A trackball is

essentially an

incremental or relative

input device.

Here the X-axis uses one counter and
the Y-axis uses a second. With the
trackball +X output connected to the
up-count clock, and the -X track-
ball output connected to the down-
count clock, the counter increments
and decrements appropriately in re-
sponse to trackball X-axis movement.
The Y-axis trackball outputs are con-
nected similarly to a second counter,
which in turn responds to Y-axis

OPTICAL
INTERRUPTER
DISKS

ROTATE DUE
TO ACTION OF
BALL ROTATION

DIRECTION SENSING
LOGIC AND
TTL DRIVERS

+ X

DIRECTION SENSING
LOGIC AND
TTL DRIVERS

Figure 1: An internal look at Disc Instruments' LT200 trackball.

trackball movement. These counter
circuits can then be interfaced to a
microprocessor's data bus through an
input port, allowing the processor to
read or periodically poll the input
port to determine the current ab-
solute X, Y trackball coordinate. Us-
ing this data, the microprocessor can
position the cursor on the CRT. If this
input port is read and the displayed
cursor position is updated at a high
rate (more than 25 times per second),
an interactive control results.

As shown, upper- and lower-limit
detection logic must be included in
the counter design to prevent counter
roll-over, which could occur if the
trackball is unceasingly rolled in one
direction. The X-axis counter, for ex-
ample, must be inhibited from fur-
ther up-counting when the right-
most pixel coordinate, 255, is
reached. Should such limiting be
omitted, further +X pulses from the
trackball would cause the counter to
overflow from 255 to 0. If this over-
flow were to occur, you would see the
cursor jump abruptly from the far
right side of the display screen (X
address =255) to the far left side of
the display screen (X address = 0).
With boundary limiting properly im-
plemented, the trackball appears to
slip whenever a display screen edge
is encountered. Such boundary limit-
ing must also be included for the left,
top, and bottom cursor boundaries.

An Interrupt-Based Interface

We have seen the basic trackball in-
terfacing concepts demonstrated with
a hardware-intensive approach.
While counters can be readily con-
figured to directly implement a track-
ball interface, other less hardware-
intensive approaches are also possi-
ble. One such method uses interrupt
concepts and software-based up-
down counters to respond to the
trackball output pulses. In other
words, the counters just detailed are
functionally implemented in soft-
ware, and the trackball output pulses
are connected as vectored interrupts
+ Y to a microprocessor system.

With an interrupt-based approach,
you must think of the current track-
ball X- and Y-cursor coordinates as
residing in two locations in the micro-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 235

"255" DETECT

i— ^ TO MICROPROCESSOR
I * DATA BUS

rO

TO MICROPROCESSOR
ADDRESS BUS

Figure 2: A block diagram of a fundamental hardware-based trackball interface.

processor's RAM (random-access
read/write memory). Rather than
drive a hardware-counter circuit, the
trackball signals are now connected
as vectored interrupts to the pro-
cessor system. An interrupt con-
troller, such as an Intel 8259, can be
used to add vectored-interrupt capa-
bility to a computer system. Alter-
nately, the trackball can be interfaced
to an existing interrupt structure. In
any event, with an interrupt-based
approach, the software interrupt-
handler routines operate as up-
down, software-based counters.

With the trackball signals con-
nected as interrupts, for example, as
a +X trackball pulse is received, the
microprocessor is vectored to an
interrupt-service routine whose job is
to increment the data contained in
the X-cursor-coordinate memory
location. Similarly, the -X interrupt-
service routine decrements the data
contained in the X-cursor-coordinate
memory location in response to a - X
trackball pulse.

Figure 3 shows simple flowcharts of
the four interrupt-service routines re-
quired for a fully interrupt-based im-
plementation. Notice that upper/
lower boundary detection and limit-

ing is also included in these interrupt
routines.

With the interrupt routines main-
taining and updating the absolute
cursor X, Y coordinates, the operating
computer program would be respon-
sible for monitoring and acting on the
changing cursor-coordinate data.
That is, the operating program
(which the trackball signals interrupt)
would continually read the two
memory locations designated as the

An interrupt-driven

approach to trackball

interfacing minimizes

hardware but places

extra demands on

software.

X- and Y-cursor coordinates and re-
spond to changes in these values.
Figure 4 illustrates this activity. In this
simple example, the sole purpose of
the operating program is to move the
cursor interactively in response to
trackball motion. An actual applica-
tion would expand on this basic ac-
tivity, enabling the trackball coor-
dinates to interactively vary or con-
trol higher-level functions.

The TIP Approach

Although an interrupt-driven ap-
proach to trackball interfacing can
minimize the interface hardware, it
does place extra demands on the
software. In addition, many home
and personal computers and their
operating systems are not interrupt-
based. An effective yet simple inter-
facing approach, which I'll call TIP,
for trackball input polled, is shown
in schematic form in figure 5. This
method offers a polled approach to
accepting trackball data and is readily
adapted to almost any microproces-
sor-based system.

The TIP interface consists of two
4-bit up-down counters driven direct-
ly from the trackball output signals.
One counter is connected to the + X
and - X signals and in turn registers
trackball rotations in the X-axis.
Similarly, the other counter is con-
nected to the +Y and -Y signals,
registering Y-axis trackball move-
ment. These two signals are then
connected to a single 8-bit input port
that can be read by the micropro-
cessor.

Each of the counters is configured
to generate a two's complement, 4-bit
signed number. As the TIP input port

236 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

/+X TRACKBALL^
V INTERRUPT J

(-Y. TRACKBALL^
V^ INTERRUPT J

SAVE ALL
REGISTERS

A-Y TRACKBALL^
V INTERRUPT J

SAVE ALL
REGISTERS

X=X + 1

X =

UPPER LIMIT

X =

LOWER LIMIT

RESTORE

ALL

REGISTERS

RESTORE

ALL

REGISTERS

/'RETURN FROM^i
^ INTERRUPT J

/"return FROM^N
V^ INTERRUPT J

( -Y TRACKBALL^
V INTERRUPT J

SAVE ALL
REGISTERS

NO / Y >TOP \

YES

\BOUNDARY

Y =

UPPER LIMIT

RESTORE

ALL

REGISTERS

SAVE ALL
REGISTERS

/returnfromN
v interrupt j

NO

/Y<BOTTOM\

YES

XBOUNDARY

Y =

LOWER LIMIT

RESTORE

ALL

REGISTERS

/return from~\
^ interrupt j

Figure 3: Flowcharts for the four interrupt-handler routines required for a vectored-interrupt trackball-interface approach. Note that boun-
dary checking is included in these routines.

is read by the microprocessor, the
two numbers retrieved represent an
accumulation of the operator's most
recent trackball actuation. In effect,
the data read is an X, Y vector, indi-
cating the direction and magnitude
(speed) of trackball rotation. The soft-
ware then alters the current cursor-
location values based on this move
vector. This method differs from the
approach suggested by figure 2, in
which the interface-counter hardware
actually holds the absolute cursor
location, rather than a relative move
count. Figure 6 shows the data for-
mat as it is read from the TIP input
port.

TIP Circuit Details

The four trackball signals, +X, -X,
+Y, and -Y, are received and gated
by the Schmitt-trigger device IC1 in
figure 5. We chose a Schmitt device
to increase the noise immunity of the
input circuitry, therefore reducing the
chance of random electrical noise
from adversely affecting the counter
operation. IC4 (X-axis) and IC5 (Y-
axis) are TTL-type 74LS192 up-down,
4-bit binary counters. These counters
are structured to count symmetrical-

ly from zero, each able to count
within the two's complement number
range from -7 to +7 NAND gates
IC2b (X-axis) and IC3b (Y-axis) detect
the uppermost count boundary + 7,
and work in conjunction with IC1 to
prevent an ongoing stream of up-
count clocks ( + X and +Y trackball
signals) from causing an undesired
counter overflow. Similarly, NAND
gates IC2a (X-axis) and IC3a (Y-axis),
detect the lowermost count boun-
dary, -7, and, with IC1, prevent an
ongoing stream of down-count clocks
( - X and - Y trackball signals) from
causing an undesired counter under-
flow.

IC7 is an 8-bit clocked register with
three output states and is used as a
combination data-latch and data-bus
driver. A latch here ensures that a
stable, unchanging data byte would
be presented during the processor's
READ operation. In addition, just
after the data latch is clocked to hold
the current trackball X, Y data pair,
both X and Y counters are reset to
zero. Thus, after every TIP register is
read, the counters start over in ac-
cumulating operator input.

The LED (light-emitting diode) in-
dicators are optional and not required

for circuit operation; however, I
found them invaluable in debugging
my wire-wrapped prototype.

Address and Data-Bus Interface

Comparators IC8 and IC9 form the
address-bus decoder. These two

( START "\
^MAINLINEy

ERASE
SCREEN

INITIALIZE
CURSOR
LOCATION
TBX =0
TBY =0

ENABLE
INTERRUPTS

,'

1

DISPLAY
CURSOR AT
(TBX, TBY)

Figure 4: The flowchart of a simple main pro-
gram designed to work with the figure 3 in-
terrupt routines. The trackball-coordinate
values TBX and TBY are the variables that
the interrupt handlers update.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 237

X-BOUHDARY LIMIT

LT200
TRACKBALL

CPU DATA BUS
(SEE NOTE 3 )
DOUSB!_TJ£>

Figure 5: The TIP (trackball input polled) interface schematic. Connector pinouts are shown for a TRS-80 Model I computer.

chips are configured as an 8-bit com-
parator. As shown, the lower 8 bits
of the microprocessor address bus
are compared with a data value, set
by an 8-station switch. The com-
parators are gated further by an
IOREAD signal. In this way, the TIP

D7 D6
(MSB)

D5

01

D3

D2

Dl

DO
(LSB)

X3 X2

XI

XO

Y3

Y2

Yl

YO

-DX-

Figure 6: The TIP input-port data format.
The lower 4 bits represent a delta Y (DY)
value, and the upper 4 bits represent a delta
X (DX) value. This pair of two's complement
values, each having a number range from -7
to +7, represents the most recent operator ac-
tuation of the trackball.

input register is mapped into the
microprocessor I/O space. The actual
port assignment is determined by the
switch settings of SO (LSB) through
S7 (MSB). When a given switch posi-
tion is open (off), a logic 1 is set; clos-
ing the switch (on) results in a logic
0 state.

Although a TRS-80 computer was
used to demonstrate concept feasibil-
ity, the corresponding address bus,
data bus, and IOREAD signals of any
microcomputer can be connected to
the TIP interface. If desired, the TIP
data port can even be memory-
mapped. For this memory-mapped
approach, the address-decoding cir-
cuitry has to be expanded to compare
16 bits (or more). Additional 74LS85
comparator chips can be cascaded, or
other combinational logic techniques
can be used. Any high-true, address-

decoding signal can be used to drive
the point called "TB-REG-RD" of
figure 5; however, TB-REG-RD must
occur at least one gate delay before
TB-REG-RD.

As shown, the microprocessor data
bus is connected to the output of IC7.
Data bit D7 is the most significant bit
(MSB), and DO is the least significant
bit (LSB).

A TRS-80 Demonstration

The address and data bus pinouts
shown in figure 5 correspond to the
expansion-interface pin assignments
for the TRS-80 Model I computer,
which I used to evaluate and test the
circuit concepts. This expansion in-
terface connector makes available all
the key Z80 processor signals needed
to connect the TIP circuitry.

Listings 1 and 2 show simple

238 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

ADDRESS DECODE

CPU ADDRESS BUS
(SEE NOTE 3

AO (LSBI

0

TB-REG-RD

NOTES:

1. ALL RESISTORS ARE 2.2 Kfl,, 0.25W, UNLESS NOTED

2. DECOUPLE ALL CHIPS WITH O.l^F, 50V MONOLITHIC OR
CERAMIC (DISK) CAPACITOR.

PIN-OUT ASSIGNMENTS SHOWN FOR ADDRESS AND DATA
BUSES ARE FOR CONNECTION TO A TRS-80 MODEL I
EXPANSION CONNECTOR CABLE.

INTERFACE CABLE BETWEEN TIP CIRCUIT AND DISK
INSTRUMENTS LT200 SHOULD BE 14-CONDUCTOR
RIBBON CABLE, LENGTH AS REQUIRED, TERMINATED ON
BOTH ENDS WITH A MALE, 14-PIN DIP PLUG.
ALL LED INDICATORS SHOULD 8E PC -MOUNTABLE -, WITH
INTEGRAL CURRENT LIMIT RESISTORS (DIALIGHT 547-
2003 OR EQUIVALENT).

SWITCH SO-6 SETS I/O PORT ASSIGNMENT. SEE TEXT
FOR DETAILS.

Listing 1: A TRS-80 Model I (Level II BASIC) main program that controls cursor movement in response to trackball actuation.

■ KKIIilllllMIIIlllIlllllltKItlllllll

10 REM

15 REM

20 REM

30 REM

10 REM

50 REM

60 REM

70 REM

80 REM

90 REM

100 REM

110 REM

120 REM

130 REM

mo REM

150 REM

160 CLS

170 REM SET INITIAL X,Y VALUES

180 Y=20:X=50

190 REM ASK OPERATOR IF HE WANTS TO TRACE

200 PRINT "ENTER 1 FOR TRACE MODE, 0 FOR NO TRACE"

210 INPUT A

215 CLS

220 REM MAIN LOOP STARTS HERE

230 REM TURN CURSOR BLOCK "ON"

250 SET(X,Y)

TIP DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

This program will move a block cursor
about the CRT screen in response to
the movement of the trackball. A
mode can be selected which will result
in "Etch-A-Sketch" like operation.
This program was written and tested on
a TRS-80, Model I, computer, with
Level II BASIC. Note, the TRS-80,
Model I computer has a CRT screen
resolution of only 128 X 18 PIXELS.

260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
310
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
500

REM READ TIP I/O PORT AND GET DX, DY

GOSUB 800

REM TURN CURSOR BLOCK "OFF"

REM THIS ON-OFF SEQUENCE CAUSES

REM CURSOR TO FLICKER SLIGHTLY WHICH

REM DIFFERENTIATES IT FROM OTHER

REM ON-SCREEN GRAPHICS BLOCKS

RESET(X.Y)

REM WAS TRACKBALL ROLLED? IF NO, LOOP BACK

IF DX=0 AND DY=0 GOTO 250

REM YES, TB WAS ROLLED; CHECK IF TRACE SELECTED

IF A=0 GOTO 410

REM IF TRACE SELECTED, TURN CURRENT BLOCK ON

SET(X.Y)

REM NOW UPDATE CURSOR COORDINATES

X=X+DX

REM NOTE: SUBTRACT DY BECAUSE "+Y"

REM DIRECTION IS "DOWN" ON TRS-80 SCREEN

Y=Y-DY

REM PERFORM BOUNDARY CHECKING AND LIMITING

IF X>127 X=127
IF X<0 X=0
IF Y>47 Y=47
IF Y<0 Y=0
GOTO 250

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 239

Listing 2: A subroutine that reads the TIP port and separates the DX and DY elements.

700

710

720

730

710

750

760

770

780

790

800

810

850

860

870

880

890

900

910

920

930

910

950

960

970

980

990

1000

1010

1020

1030

This subroutine will read the TIP I/O port,»
separate the X and 1 values, and convert
them into a pair of BASIC signed numbers
which the mainline can use to update the
cursor position. Here, the TIP 1/0 port
was 0 (All address switches closed).
This routine was written and tested on a
TRS-80, Model I computer, level II BASIC

REM »«

REM •

REM •

REM •

REM •

REM ■

REM •

REM •

REM •

REM •

REM • •

REM ••••lf»lt»tti»««tit»lt«fl««l«»l«ti««»«i»«t»»»»

REM

REM READ THE I/O PORT

TIP=INP(0)

REM SEPARATE X AND Y FROM THE SINGLE DATA BYTE

REM AND PLACE EACH IN THE LOWER 1-BITS OF A NEW

REM VARIABLE PAIR, DX AND DY

DX=(TIP AND 210) • .0625
DY=(TIP AND 15)

REM NOW CONVERT THESE NUMBERS INTO SIGNED VALUES

REM WHICH TRS-80 BASIC WILL UNDERSTAND! 1ST, X

REM IF THE 2'S COMP NUMBER IS

IF DX < 8 GOTO 1000

IF THE 2'S COMP NO. IS

REM
DX =

REM

IF DY <
DY = DY

REM

RETURN

WE'RE DONE

THERE'S MORE WORK

DX - 16

NOW DO THE Y VALUES

8 GOTO 1030

- 16

ALL DONE

TRS-80 Level II BASIC main and sub-
programs that read the TIP input port
and move a graphics block around
the screen in response to the trackball
movement. The TIP port is easily ac-
cessed using the TRS-80 INP com-
mand. In my tests, I used input port
address 0 (all address-compare
switches closed).

You may notice that I turn a graph-
ics block on using the SET command,
read the input port, and then turn
the graphics block off using the
RESET command. With the cursor
stationary (no trackball motion), this
technique causes the cursor block to
flicker slightly. This flicker is a great
help in differentiating the cursor
block from other graphics characters
that may also be on the screen.

Another feature of the test program
is a deposit mode. In this mode, the
computer operates much like the
Etch-A-Sketch toy, leaving a trail of
dots (pixels) behind the moving

cursor.

Design Variations

Since the LT200 produces 480

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Dealer Inquiries Invited

I2 INTERFACE INC

7630 Alabama Avenue

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(213) 341-7914 Telex: 662949

IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation
DiskSystems is a copyright of Interface Inc

240 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

? )See us at

Prices are suggested retail and subject to change without notice

c 1983 Interface Inc

c©mi

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VIKJ\

A Burroughs Company

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TO DATA
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a BUS
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-N/C
-N/C
-N/C

N/C=NO CONNECTION

Figure 7: A design variation that allows the TIP trackball counters to prescale the trackball
pulses.

pulses per revolution, just over half
a rotation of the LT200 trackball ele-
ment moves a displayed cursor from
one screen edge to the other screen
edge when operating within a 256- by
256-pixel matrix. For detailed cursor
placement, at which a trackball
device intrinsically excels, you may
find the trackball excessively sensitive
with the LT200/TEP interface scheme
as shown. There are two ways to
reduce the trackball sensitivity: a
simple hardware change or a soft-
ware approach.

To reduce the trackball sensitivity,
it is necessary to prescale the incom-
ing trackball pulses. Figure 7 shows
how an additional 74LS192 counter

circuit can be connected to each axis
of the TIP interface. This approach
extends the effective range of the
counter from 4 bits to 8 bits. The TIP
interface port and the upper/lower
boundary checking, however, are still
connected to only 4 bits. As shown,
the 4 bits selected ignore the LSB of
the first counter chip, effectively
dividing by two the trackball pulses
seen by the TIP I/O port, resulting in
a trackball that produces only 240
pulses per revolution. If desired, the
two lowest order bits of the first
counter can be ignored, resulting in
a trackball that is prescaled by 4, ef-
fectively producing only 120 pulses
per revolution.

These hardware variations can be
made to the design as shown by the
TIP schematic of figure 5. To maintain
symmetry, both the X and Y axes
should be treated in the same
fashion.

The scaling operations performed
by the hardware changes of figure 7
can also be performed in software
after the TIP data port is read. A sim-
ple divide-by-two operation can be
applied to the X and Y data values.
However, the effective number range
that the TIP X and Y trackball values
can represent is reduced from the -7
to +7 range to a -3 to +3 range. This
reduced range adversely affects the
ability of the trackball interface to
represent a vector-like value in-
dicating the direction and magnitude
of the desired cursor move. The hard-
ware approach as discussed, how-
ever, prescales the trackball pulses
while completely retaining this
vector-like characteristic.

Summary

A trackball can be interfaced easi-
ly to a personal computer. The TIP
approach is both simple and inex-
pensive. A TRS-80 demonstration
validated the design approach. While
the TRS-80 did prove effective for
evaluating the concept, I feel that a
trackball device is better suited to
higher resolution graphics systems
having a minimum of a 150- by 150-
pixel matrix.

Overall, the Disc Instruments
LT200 trackball is well constructed.
The design is mechanically simple,
having few moving parts. While
perhaps a bit lightweight to survive
the demands of a video arcade, it is
well suited to the home and office en-
vironment.

With the advent of the low-cost
LT200 and similar products that no
doubt will soon be offered by other
vendors, the time has come to add
the power and convenience of the
trackball to the home computer. ■

Edward W. Andrews (18640 Arden Ave., Brook-
field, WI 53005) holds a B. S. degree in computer
science and works at General Electric's Medical
Systems Operation. In his spare time, he enjoys
volleyball, racauetball, and home computing with
emphasis on computer-graphics applications.

242 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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246 BYTE December 1983

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The User Interface: Two
Approaches

Both philosophy and pragmatism are viable courses

by Martin Herbach, Richard Katz, and Joseph Landau

In this article we present two approaches to the construction of an efficient user interface. The first,
by Martin Herbach, provides his philosophical point of view that too often software developers are so
wrapped up in the video-display aspects that the functionality of the program suffers. A text box by
Richard Katz provides some basic guidelines that can help in user-interface development. Joseph Landau
follows by giving us an example of a philosophy that evolved from direct user feedback as his company
began the process of increasing the capability of one of its products without complicating its use. While
the user interface continues to be a topic of heated discussion, you will see from these two points of
view that we are still far from any universal agreement about how to blueprint man-machine interaction.

How Is a Computer Like an Elephant?

by Martin Herbach

Perhaps no piece of computer
jargon is more shrouded in mystique
than "user interface." Like the blind
men's elephant, the term means
many things to many people. Rather
than concentrate on the tasks that
people are trying to perform, too
many of us software people have got-
ten hung up in the mechanics of how
users physically communicate the
various elements of these tasks.
We've transformed a willing servant
into a wall of icons and windows, a
snake of display management, a tree
of gold to the minds of some market-
ing managers, and rope for a Gordian
knot.

When you clear away the jargon-
induced fog, a user interface is
merely that part of a program that
simulates a more appropriate com-
puter to run the rest of the program.
In other words, it's really the solution
to a hardware problem. We're asking
a vast segment of our population to
use computers for all kinds of tasks,
but we're stuck with a "standard"
setup, a box with a processor and a

couple of floppy-disk drives, a
200-line-resolution monitor, and a
keyboard without a key marked
Return.

The most significant thing about
this computer is the user, a techno-
logically naive but competent busi-
ness worker with limited time. Users
include managers, secretaries, execu-

A user interface

simulates a more

appropriate computer

to run the rest of the

program.

fives, real-estate agents, dentists, fin-
ancial analysts, and myriad others
with a need to operate with more in-
formation more efficiently. Their tasks
include creating and modifying docu-
ments, filing and retrieving docu-
ments and records, preparing presen-
tations, free-form drawing, planning
schedules, and manipulating spread-
sheets as well as such vaguely defined
objectives as analysis.

Software should be designed
around the uses to which it will be
applied; those applications of the
software must come to the user easi-
ly and intuitively. Some ways to
make a program easy to use are hav-
ing fewer and simpler options, and
a consistent structure, and hiding so-
phisticated options where unsophis-
ticated users won't be intimidated by
them. Having natural-language feed-
back to confirm command and op-
tion choices as well as friendly error-
diagnosis messages that enable error
correction in as few keystrokes as
possible are other important ele-
ments. But many seemingly straight-
forward techniques are surprisingly
overlooked in some of the most re-
cent designs.

Only after "intuitive functionality"
has been displayed should we look
at how the user will physically oper-
ate the program. And this is where
we tend to redesign the hardware.

One practical problem with spend-
ing many aggregate years on the de-
velopment of such low-level phe-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 247

nomena as multiple-window mana-
gers and wastebasket icons is that we
might shortly find our code incor-
porated in the next generation of
video-controller chips— assuming
that our approach is as successful
with the user as we hoped it would
be. If it is, I feel that it will be much
better implemented by hardware.

I have nothing personal against
prototyping the next generation of
professional computers, but I wonder
how many man-years of software de-
velopment will have to be amortized
over how short a period. In any case,
it's reassuring that there are pres-
sures that will coax software vendors
to return to solving higher-level prob-
lems. Heaven knows the user has
them.

The specific use for office-auto-
mation computers is increased infor-
mation-management efficiency. One
metaphor that is in vogue to convey
this capability is the top of a
"cluttered" desk. Many capable
minds expended tremendous efforts
to produce a detailed simulation of
file folders, in-baskets, clocks, pads
of paper, and a ubiquitous moving
arrow. Get the arrow squarely on the
proper file folder and eventually you
wind up with some of your desktop
simulating a cumbersome word pro-
cessor. Clearly the word processor is
the afterthought, while the window
manager, icon manipulator, rodent
priority interrupt handler, and waste-
basket janitorial routines got the bulk
of the development resources. Some
reasons for this state of affairs are

1. We computer types know more
about video management than
calendar management.

2 . Redesigning hardware is fun.

3 . There's hardly any fun in design-
ing another word processor.

4 . There's hardly any fun in selling
another word processor.

To illustrate the varying approaches
that can be taken in designing pro-
ductivity software, let's examine a
representative feature, multiple win-
dows. At the lowest level (technol-
ogy), multiple windows imply the
management of screen regions, so
that one region can be modified with-

out disturbing the rest and so that
the original contents of the region can
be restored later. If we start with that
definition, we start asking questions
like these:

1 . How much resolution do we have
or need?

2 . What about color?

3 . How do we scroll a portion, or
region, of a screen?

4. What about nongraphics con-
figurations of the target computer?
Do we support them? Do we op-
timize for them?

Note that these are all really hard-
ware questions. The danger is that
we spend so much time investigating
these topics that we forget to ask
questions like the following:

Multiple-task

windowing is the most

natural way to express

task concurrency.

1 . What function will I put my win-
dows to?

2 . For word processing, can I have
windows on separate documents
simultaneously?

3 . Can I have multiple windows on
the same document? (This may ac-
tually be harder than 2! Consider
rejustifying the contents of a win-
dow on page 100 because of a
change in the window on page 1.)

4 . For spreadsheet applications, can
I view my data one way (say, as
formulas in 20-character-wide col-
umns) in window one and another
(say, current values in 5-character
columns) in window two? This is
something that very few of the
stand-alone spreadsheets (where
windowing was pioneered) got
right.

These functional capabilities of
windows are what must be looked at
first. They may not be as sexy as
rubber-band borders and scrolling
panels, but a proper user interface is
one that defines the maximum func-

tionality in the most intuitive fashion.
(For some all-purpose software-de-
velopment guidelines, see the "Inter-
facing Users and Software" text box
on page 250.)

The Xerox/Lisa/Visi On approach is
predicated on the simultaneous
viewing of multiple tasks (as opposed
to multiple views of the same task).
For some people, this may not pro-
vide an easy-to-use, productive en-
vironment. When my desktop con-
tains four tasks, such as memos to
read or write, correspondence to re-
view, and a couple of designs in
progress, my tendency is to push
three aside and pick one to work on.
The clutter that I referred to earlier is
something that computers should
eliminate, not reproduce. An addi-
tional problem is that the current
generation of microcomputer systems
hasn't sufficient video resolution to
allow the display of adequate
amounts of multiple tasks. This prob-
lem is not permanent, however.

Now that I have played the devil's
advocate, let me state that many of
the concepts introduced with the
window-management style of user
interface are very valuable. Object-
oriented data flow could be the most
important. The ability to communi-
cate information among tasks visu-
ally is very natural. The only better
way is to integrate the tasks so that
the communication is not required.

Multiple-task windowing is the
most natural way to express task con-
currency. It's so natural, in fact, that
many sophisticated observers are
convinced of Visi On's ability to do
more than one thing at a time. Of
course, without some sort of task
manager to schedule resources, con-
currency is impossible, and this has
not been provided for the microcom-
puter environment— yet. When it
does happen, the window-manager
scheme will get a real workout. Un-
til then, I hope that software de-
signers concentrate on improving
what the user gets to do inside a win-
dow rather than getting to it.B

Martin Herbach is a founder of and program
designer at Sorcim Corporation (2310 LundyAve.,
San Jose, CA 95231}.

248 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Interfacing Users and Software

by Richard Katz

As software developers trying to accom-
plish today what AI (artificial intelligence)
may someday be able to assist with, you
must apply your intelligence instead. Col-
lect what you know about the program and
express it as well as you can to clarify how
to use it. Included here are several guide-
lines that you might think of as a sort of
software extension for Strunk and White's
The Elements of Style, for, indeed, the
guidelines begin in that very place.

1. Practice clear writing techniques.
Study books like The Elements of Style
and Clear Technical Writing by ]ohn
Brogan. Hire and work closely with an ex-
perienced technical writer during the de-
velopment stage. A course on technical
writing may also be a worthwhile invest-
ment.

2. Focus on the application. Consider
what the application program needs to do.
Imagine yourself as the user trying to get
through the program for the first time. Bet-
ter yet, find someone to be a first-time user.
Write down what you expect the program
to do and what it must do. For example,
if you are using a word-processing pro-
gram, you ought to be able to type in a let-
ter, save it on disk, print it, retrieve it and
look at it again, make changes, and save
it again.

3. Include on-screen help capability.

A tutorial demonstrates what software can
do, but it cannot provide immediate assis-
tance. A good tutorial illustrates a mean-
ingful use of a program and demonstrates
how to use the program to make it do that
one thing. Along the way, it shows the
commands that must be entered and what
they do within the framework of the ex-
ample. However, the tutorial is of necessi-
ty separate from the program itself. It can-
not give you information about program
controls while you actually operate the pro-
gram. On-screen help can do so.

Numerous approaches have been tried
for on-screen help capabilities. While few
are truly successful, the help capability
nonetheless offers great potential for mak-
ing program controls obvious.

Make it clear how to access the help
capability by including a message such as
"Press Fl for help" at the beginning or, if
possible, continuously while the program
is running. Also, clearly identify how to
leave the program to return to the operat-
ing system. Feio programs do this well. In
many programs, either the exiting infor-
mation is very obscure or it is difficult to
get to the help screen that contains the ex-
iting information. Thus, the trusting user
can get trapped.

I recommend starting the design with a
two-level approach that first presents the

user with an overview help menu. From
this menu the user selects topics, thus pro-
viding individual control over the learn-
ing process.

For instance, a project-planning and
management-control program informs the
user at the beginning to press the question
mark (?) key to get help. Then the over-
view help menu shown below appears on
the screen.

What kind of help do you want?

1. Where am I, anyway?

2. How do I enter data in this field?

3. How can I make changes?

4. I'm done here. What do I do now?
Press 1, 2, 3, or 4:

4. Orient users to program controls.
Orientation is what happens your first day
in high school or college. You learn where
the library is, when to register for classes,
how to get an adviser, where the laundries
and restaurants are, and so on. In a help
screen, use the orientation form to iden-
tify program controls. On the left side of
the screen, describe in everyday language
the things that the user will need to do.
On the right side, show the keys to press
or commands to enter. For example, sup-

How Is a Computer Like an Onion?

by Joseph Landau

Versaform is a forms-oriented data-
base product for nontechnical end
users. You can use it to design or
copy a form on the computer, per-
form computations, produce output
on preprinted forms, and create re-
ports and analyses. Because of Ver-
saform's orientation to existing busi-
ness forms, you can continue to
follow familiar procedures and use
familiar data formats. Essentially, Ver-
saform provides a way to construct a
database from a business's existing
paper-form records.

While implementing a new Versa-
form feature, we confronted the
problem of making an inherently
complex task seem as simple as
possible. We realized that each new
feature brings the burden of learning
it, but how can we continue to pro-
vide more functions without making
our product more complex and
harder to learn?

The Need

The new feature, called File Look-
up, adds a multifile access capability

to Versaform. It enables the system to
search for data on a secondary file
and automatically enter this data on
the current form the user is filling in.
For example, suppose an invoice
(the primary form) is being filled in
(see figure 1). Versaform is able to
check entries against an internal table
of valid part numbers, find descrip-
tions and prices, and compute ex-
tended totals and column totals, all
automatically. Internal tables, how-
ever, are limited to 99 entries, which
is adequate for professional offices

250 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

pose the user selects item 4 from the help
menu. The next screen the user sees looks
like this:

What to do next:

• To save your work, enter /S

• To print a report, enter /O

• To leave the program, enter /Q

• To clear the work area, enter /Z

• To retrieve an old plan, enter /L

• You can also work on the project plan
from a different view

• To select another view, enter N

The screen above could be enhanced fur-
ther by listing the page number in the user
guide that explains each of the subjects in
greater detail.

5. Eliminate extraneous information
on the screen. Brevity engenders clari-
ty, provided you strengthen the verbs, use
the active voice, and eliminate the dead-
wood. By being succinct and including
only what is important, you will be able
to clarify program use. Users won't have
to dig through a lot of information that's
not pertinent to their situation.

In the help screen above, each instruc-
tion begins with "To do this" on the left
side. Descriptive verbs such as save, print,
and retrieve provide more clarity than a

broad verb like use. The definite nouns
your work, a report, etc., add to clear
understanding. The verb enter on the
right side explicitly directs the user's
action.

6. Use help to document program
error messages. Another aid for the user
explains how to resolve situations that
create error messages. Although this capa-
bility logically belongs in on-screen help,
it rarely occurs. Possible reasons are that
it requires extra programming or that it
takes up additional disk space.

To provide this assistance requires that
you give each error a separate number,
write a detailed explanation of the error
message, and describe some action to cir-
cumvent the error. Then create a data
structure and triggering mechanism to pre-
sent them at the proper times. For instance,
suppose the user of a spreadsheet program
makes an error while entering a formula.
The user enters the formula "+A1+3*"
and forgets to include an additional
operand following the "*. " Spreadsheet
programs generally respond to this by
printing a short message such as "FOR-
MULA ERROR" or by producing an an-
noying beep. Now, the user is stuck; the
only solution requires erasing the formula
from the entry line. The beep or nebulous
two-word message is more irritating than

helpful.

In most spreadsheet programs that have
on-screen help, when the user requests help
a full page of information appears. But it
is the same descriptive page that is avail-
able even if the user had not made the error
to begin with. A program that has true on-
screen error help should print a message
like the one shown below.

You have made an error in the formula
you are trying to enter.

To continue, you must first correct the
error or press (whatever) to clear the
entry.

Note that no attempt is made in the mes-
sage to diagnose the formula error; a
diagnosis is not essential. The vital infor-
mation tells the user how to continue. In-
cluding error message analyses such as the
ones above further reduces the apparent
and actual dangers in using a computer
program.

Richard Katz (412 Green St., San Francisco,
CA 94133) is a technical editor for Osborne/
McGraw-Hill Book Company.

but not large enough for inventory in-
formation in many retail and
wholesale businesses. Our solution
was to allow the needed data to be
accessed directly from a separate in-
ventory file— either on a hard disk or
on another floppy disk.

In addition to locating the values
for description and price on the in-
ventory (secondary form) and filling
them in on the invoice, File Lookup
also finds out from the inventory
whether there is a large enough sup-
ply to fill the order and subtracts the
quantity ordered from the quantity
on hand. Or, if the quantity on hand
is not sufficient to fill the order, back-

order information is automatically
entered on the inventory. To handle
these tasks, the new feature com-
bines multifile access with user-
defined procedures necessary for the
conditional updates.

The Mechanics

We began the process of designing
the user interface for the File Lookup
feature with an outline of the func-
tions involved:

1. Exactly when will the desired ac-
tion be executed?

2 . Where will the lookup data be
found (which record, on which

file, on which disk)?

3 . Where will the system look for the
information it needs to find the re-
quired record— that is, where is the
key?

4 . The system must be told what to
do with the data it finds:

a. Instructions for moving data in
both directions between the two
forms (records).

b. What calculations to perform.

c . Under what conditions certain
operations are to be performed.

5. If the lookup form has a columnar
area (a repeating group), as in the
Quantity Price-Break Table in the
inventory in figure 1, which line

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 251

Primary Form

.1 I

INVOICE I I

I I

DATE 5/23/83 INV# GRE6 I I

NAME Joe Green I I

ADDRESS 2310 Grant St I I

CITY Middle City ST IL ZIP 60202 I I

___ I I

L# QTO QTS .PART. DESCRIPTION PRICE .COST. II

I I

01 30. ... ABC111 Widget 17.00 II

02 25. ... DEF123 Gizmo 13.50 II

I I

Inventory Key Item SUBTOTAL II

TAX M

TOTAL II

I

Secondary Form

INVENTORY

Key Item
PARTNO ABC111
PARTNAME Widget
ONHAND . . .136
BACKORDERED ....
STDPRICE 20.00

Quantity Price-Break Table
L# .QTY. .UNITPRICE.

01 ...10 20.00

02 ...25 18.50

03 ..100 17.00

03 .9999 16.00

Figure 1: Primary- and secondary-form interaction. While you are entering data on the invoice, the File Lookup feature discussed in the
text finds information in the inventory on another file and automatically enters it on the invoice.

will contain the data? The desired
line can be located in a number of
ways:

a. Look for an exact match with the
values in one of the columns.

b . Look for the first entry ex-
ceeding a certain value (as in a
tax table).

c . Find a figure in a range between
two columns.

First Design

Consistent with its forms-related
environment, Versaform provides
throughout its programs a variety of
on-screen forms you fill in with in-
structions for the system.

For the File Lookup feature, our
first on-screen form appeared as illus-
trated in figure 2. It has been filled
in as it would be to perform the func-
tions described in the invoice/inven-
tory example. In brief, it provides
these instructions to the system:

Lookup Trigger Item— This is the item
on the primary form that triggers
the lookup. That is, the search will
actually begin when the user fills
in the item called Part on the in-
voice. This field is filled in auto-
matically by the system when the
form appears on the screen.

Secondary-File Disk, Secondary
File— The form to be looked up will

be found in the inventory file on
Mydisk.

Key-Froml,2— Each Versaform file is
identified by its unique key item,
which may be a single field or a
concatenation of two fields. To
locate the secondary form, the sys-
tem must know where it will find
that form's key item among the
data entered into the primary form
(the current form in which infor-
mation is being entered). In the ex-
ample, that data will be found in
the Part item on the invoice. The
data from Part (the part number) is
used as the key to find the proper
record on the inventory file (whose
key is the field called Partno).

Column Key-From— If the lookup op-
eration is to extract values from a
column line on the secondary form
(i.e., from the Quantity Price-Break
Table), the system must know the
item on the primary form that will
supply the value to be searched for.
This is Qto (quantity ordered) on
the invoice.

Lookup-Columnl,2, Interval Search
—This is an either/or set of fields,
by which the user identifies which
of the three available column-
search options the system is to per-
form (match, first line exceeding
value, or range between two col-
umns). In the invoice/inventory ex-

ample, the system searches the
item called Qty on the secondary
form (the inventory) for a value
equal to or greater than the value
of Qto.

In the Transfer List, at the bottom
of the form, the system finds these
instructions:

Lines 1 and 2 transfer data to the
primary form. The second column
(headed "@") specifies the direc-
tion of transfer.

Line 3 checks to see if Qto is less than
or equal to that Onhand. If true,
the next three lines are skipped;
the quantity Onhand in the inven-
tory is reduced by the Qto (Line 7),
and the value in Qto is moved to
Qts (quantity shipped) on the same
form (Line 8).

Lines 4 and 5 apply if Qto is greater
than the quantity Onhand. They
instruct the system to add the Qto
to Backordered on the inventory
(Line 4), enter 0 in Qts on the in-
voice (Line 5), and skip the next
two instructions (Line 6).

Line 9 saves the new information on
the lookup form (inventory).

Testing the Design

As an aid to understanding how

252 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Circle 68 on inquiry card. BYTE December 1983 253

FILE TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS

Lookup trigger item PART

Select the file to look up, the key-from items, the column
search items, and the items to transfer.

SECONDARY-FILE DISK Mydisk SECONDARY FILE Inventory.

KEY-FR0M1 Part KEY-FR0M2

COLUMN KEY-FROM Qto (Item on primary form)

LOOKUP-COLUMN1 Qty ( low value )

L00KUP-C0LUMN2 (high value)

-or-
INTERVAL SEARCH (Y/N) y (on LOOKUP-COLUMN1 item only)

Transfer List

L# PRIMARY-ITEM @ CALC LOOKUP ITEM COMMAND

01 DESCRIPTION < .... PARTNAME ,

02 PRICE < UNITPRICE

03 QTO LE.. ONHAND /skip 3

04 QTO > +... BACKORDERED

05 QTS < .... 0

06 /skip 2

07 QTO > -... ONHAND

08 QTS < .... *QTO

09 /save..

Figure 2: The first attempt at design of an on-screen form for the invoice/inventory example shows user-entered instructions in tinted areas.
This arrangement proved to be too complicated for easy user acceptance.

the new feature would appear to
users at this stage, a first draft of user-
directed documentation was written
from the specifications and circulated
to reviewers. It served to inform those
familiar with Versaform about the
purpose of the new feature. The in-
voice/inventory illustration offered a
simple example of how and why it
would be of value to them.

In addition to the descriptions of
fields on the File Transfer instructions
in figure 2 similar to those just given,
the documentation contained an ex-
planation of the columnar area of the
Transfer List form. We expected the
reviewers to absorb these concepts:

The @ symbol, indicating the to-or-
from direction of the transfer, has
three legal options, or it can be left

blank to signal either no data trans-
fer or to defer to a Command in-
struction.

The Calc column is used to specify
calculations to be performed when
transferring data, introducing the
terms Target and Source to dif-
ferentiate between the two forms
involved.

The Command column is a catchall
used for either commands, values,
instructions, comparisons, or con-
ditionals.

What we found, however, at this
stage of development was that the
File Lookup feature was a big lump
for the reviewers to swallow and
might, in fact, be indigestible. Before
even the most basic of File Transfer
operations could be managed, users

were required to understand the dif-
ferentiation between the two files in-
volved, the trigger concept, two ap-
plications of key, and the variations
in the column lookup operation in-
volving one column or two, whether
inclusive or not. In addition, a small
glossary of programming terms was
introduced.

Two Conceptual Steps

Our documentation and product-
support staff identified two areas of
confusion for nontechnical users.

First, the variations in the column-
line lookup operation could not be
clearly defined in the limited space
available at the top of the form. More
important, however, the variations
were specialized; in simple applica-
tions where they were not necessary

254 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Research, Inc. Ethernet is a trademark of Xerox Corporation.

FILE TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS

Lookup trigger item PART

Fill in the secondary disk and file name, the primary item(s) that
will supply the values needed for lookup, and Procedure.

SECONDARY -FILE DISK Mydisk SECONDARY FILE Inventory. . . .

KEY-FROM1 Part KEY-FROM2

COLUMN KEY-FROM Qto (Item on primary form)

LOOKUP-COLUMN1 Qty (low value)

LOOKUP-COLUMN2 (high value)

-or-

INTERVAL SEARCH (Y/NO) y (on LOOKUP-COLUMN1 item only)

PROCEDURE
L#

01 DESCRIPTION : = PARTNAME ;

02 PRICE := UNITPRICE

03 if QTO < ON_HAND then begin {ship it}

04 ONHAND := ONHAND-QTO; QTS := QTO;

05 end else BACKORDER : = BACKORDER + QTO ;

06 /save (b)

Figure 3: This revised form for the invoice/inventory example substituted procedural instructions in place of the Transfer List. This arrange-
ment was a definite improvement over figure 2 but still required entry of seldom-used data.

(e.g., where there is only one price
for a part), they seemed to get in the
way.

Second, the columnar area at the
bottom of figure 2, the Transfer List,
was versatile and flexible but de-
cidedly unfriendly.

Our first revision attacked the
problem of the Transfer List. Instead
of a syntax made up of columnar en-
tries, instructions to the system were
now to be handled by procedural
statements entered in more familiar
syntax. The statements would resem-
ble those of a programming language
such as BASIC or Pascal. The revised
form is illustrated in figure 3. It is
filled in with the same system in-
structions that were given by the
Transfer List method in figure 2. In
this example, Description and Price
(Lines 1 and 2) are to be assigned
values.

The letters "a" and "b" designate
which form the item is on; "a" is the
primary form and "b" the secondary.
These qualifications are necessary
only in cases that would otherwise be

ambiguous, as in the /save command
(Line 6) or when items with the same
name are on both the primary and
secondary forms.

The if/else statements determine
whether to ship or back order the
product.

The Onion Approach

After we had the solution to one
problem area, we were able to solve
the second. The column lookup in-
formation (in figure 3, the fields Col-
umn Key-From, Lookup-Columns 1
and 2, and Interval Search) was still
confusing and always had to be filled
in, even though useful only in a
minority of cases, such as in the
Quantity Price-Break Table.

We decided that the information
heretofore entered in these items
could be handled as procedural state-
ments. In this form, they would be
available when required but wouldn't
have to be understood by those who
were not using the feature.

The four fields were summarily re-
moved, and the resulting form was

much easier to understand and use
(figure 4). This opened the way to a
new operational concept of the fea-
ture, which took the name the onion
approach.

The outer skin of the onion com-
prises the basics. This might include
the simple transfer of iniormation,
such as Partname and Stdprice in
figure 1. This is the operation illus-
trated in figure 4. As users become
more sophisticated in their use of the
feature, layer after layer is peeled
away, exposing some of the system's
more complex capabilities.

Using this approach, the complex-
ity of the operation does not intrude
upon Versaform's basic nontechnical
orientation. Users don't have to deal
with or understand terminology or
concepts beyond those needed at the
time.

The procedure in figure 4 is filled
in with the instructions that the user
would give the system in the invoice/
inventory example for two simple
operations: the transfer of Partname
and Stdprice information from the in-

256 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 328 on inquiry card.

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mm

FILE LOOKUP INSTRUCTIONS I

I
Lookup trigger item PART I

I
Select the file to look up, the key-from items, the column I
search items, and the items to transfer. I

I

SECONDARY-FILE DISK Mydisk SECONDARY FILE Inventory.... I

I

KEY-FR0M1 Part KEY-FR0M2 I

I
PROCEDURE I

I
L# I

01 DESCRIPTION := PARTNAME I

02 PRICE : = STDPRICE I

03 I

Figure 4: The final form design removed the column lookup operation and substituted a built-in procedure that doesn't intrude unless accessed
for special operations.

ventory to the Description and Price
fields on the invoice.

When Unitprice is needed, a built-
in procedure (Find Line) would be

used to set the line number to find
the appropriate line in the Quantity
Price-Break Table for quantity
ordered.

An Evaluation

The Transfer List method fit in
nicely with Versaform's column-item
structure and field-editing capabili-
ties. However, the instructions took
on an assembly-language appearance
when burdened with the need for
branching and error handling. There
was no easy way to key in a mean-
ingful error message in the space pro-
vided or to handle functions with
more than one argument. We were
sure that eventually the scheme
would break down in a real-world
application.

On the other hand, the procedure
method required us to produce a lan-
guage specification and define a set
of built-in functions to take care of the
lookup and column area search.

In effect, we created a "minilan-
guage" with a syntax similar to Pascal
but with the simplicity of BASIC.
This combination simplifies the han-
dling of conditional execution and in-
cludes the flexibility to add more
functions later.

The final design follows the onion
approach, as does the documenta-
tion, presenting successive layers of
complexity, starting with a File
Transfer Instructions form and end-
ing with the full syntax and functions
available. Users can become thor-
oughly familiar with the elementary
capabilities of the feature without
having to understand the more ad-

User perspectives are

critical to the

successful revision of

product design.

vanced operations. Later, when re-
quirements become more complex,
the facilities needed are available in
the form of built-in functions.

The simplicity of the language is a
result of those things taken care of
automatically by Versaform. No data
structures or data types need to be
declared; the data structures for the
primary and secondary forms are im-
plicit declarations. File I/O (input/out-
put) and storage management are
built in. Data conversion is handled
automatically, and exceptions are
dealt with by ignoring missing or in-
valid data in computations and flag-
ging the error to the operator.

File Lookup is now a part of the
Versaform system. Although it was a
difficult feature to design, it is com-
patible with the other programs in
simplicity of operation and docu-
mentation.

Concepts in Development

The evolution of the new feature
made us aware of two especially use-
ful concepts in the design of new en-
hancements.

Much can be said for the drafting
of documentation before the design
is frozen, to test user perspectives
and to work out revisions that will
enhance the product from the user's
point of view. At this point, the docu-
mentation will often drive the design.
Put another way, if you can't docu-
ment it simply, don't code it!

In addition, the onion approach
has proven to be one of the best
devices for making advanced func-
tions accessible. A feature that seems
overwhelming in its entirety becomes
manageable when its complexities
are hidden beneath layers of simple
and familiar operations. These layers,
peeled away as needed, build on a
user's comfortable and gradually in-
creased understanding. ■

Joseph Landau is president of Applied Software
Technology (170 Knowles Dr., Los Gatos, CA
95030).

258 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

NEW ENGLAND S

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(PC/MS DOS)

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Select Word Processor . . 595 329

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Condor 3 650 398

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rAR]

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599

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Multi 80 Column 150 99

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Letter Perfect

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Personal Investor 145 99

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Line Editor 65 49

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BEST 40 30

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Mlcmsoft •

Applesoft Compiler

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(ADIOS)™ 250 194

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Logo 150 119

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Copy II+ 40 35

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Menu Generator . 40 29

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Micro Painter 35 25

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Terminal Program 100 75

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Link Index 195 149

Link Video 55 42

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Executive Briefing
System 199 149

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Dataptol 60 43

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Penguin
Comp Graphics/

Apple Tablet 120 86

Complete Graphics

System 70 50

Graphics Magician 60 39

Special Effects 40 30

Special Effects

Apple Tablet 70 50

260 BYTE December 1983

what y fon want .

Phoenix

Zoom Graphics 50 38

Sensible

Disk Organizer 30 23

Disk Recovery 30 23

Image Printer Epson 40 30

NEC Dot Matrix 40 30

Multi Disk Catalog 25 19

Super Disk Copy 35 26

Sirlus

Pascal Graphics Editor ... 100 75
Southeastern

Data Capture Videx 90 65

Southwestern Data

ASCII Express

Professional 130 89

Printographer 50 38

Zterm Prof 150 109

Videx

Videoterm Utilities Disk . . 37 28
Vislcorp

80 Col prebooWApple .... 29 21

80 Col prebook/Visicalc . . 49 27

Soft Video Switch 35 25

Visiterm 100 79

Visitrend/Plot 300 195

APPLE III™

Vislcorp LIST SALE
Business Forecasting

Model 100 78

Vislschedule 300 195

link Systems

Data Fax 249 187

Software Publishers

PFS: File 175 129

PFS: Report 125 79

APPLE lie"

Most Apple II products also run on the lie
(call for details) Products below are
specially designed tor the Me.

Sierra On Line LIST SALE

Screenwriter II 130 85

Software Publishers

PFS: File 125 85

PFS: Graph 125 85

PFS: Report 125 79

Vislcorp

Visicalc 250 159

APPLE HARDWARE™

Hardware

Eastslde LIST SALE

Wildcard (II/II+) 130 99

Wildcard (tor lie only) .. . . 130 109

Hayes

Micromodem II 379 259

w/Term Pgm 409 289

Kensington

System Saver Fan 90 69

Kratt

JoySSck 45

UK

Lower Case Char Gen . . . 25 19

Microsoft •

16K RAM Card" 100 69

Premium System" ... [5] 695 489

Sottcard" 345 219

New Premium Card" 495 369

Personal Computer

Applicard (6MHz) 375 305

7G

Jcystick 60 45

met

Enhancer II 149 99

Ultraterm 379 279

Videoterm with

Softswitch 375 239

CP/M

CP/M-80

(8" Standard SSSD)

Other formats are available as special orders
thru Software to go.

Business

ATI LIST SALE

Power for CP/M 75 54

Ashton-Tate

Bottom Line Strategist. ... 400 269

Aspen

Grammatik 75 56

Proofreader (32K or 80K) . 50 38

Designer Software

Palantir 425 299

Dictronles
Random House

Thesaurus 150 102

Digital Research

Display Manager 400 295

Epic

Supervyz 150 94

Mark of the Unicorn

The Final Word 300 199

Mince 175 127

Metasoft

Benchmark Mail List 250 182

Word Processor 500 299

Micro Pro

Calcstar 145 96

Mailmerge 250 129

Spellstar 250 128

Starindex 195 150

Word/Mail [5| 695 347

Word/Spell [5] 695 347

Wordstar Prof.

(Word/Spell/Mail) [5] 845 395

Wordstar [5] 495 248

Microsoft *

Multiplan- 275 169

Multitool Financial 100 69

Multitool Budget 150 109

Northwest Analytical

Starpak 495 369

Oasis

The Word Plus 150 105

Punctuation & Style 129 99

Organic

Milestone 295 229

Select

Select Word Processor . . 595 329
Sorclm

Supercalc 195 115

Supercalc 2 285 159

Database

Anderson-Bell LIST SALE

Abstat 395 339

Ashton-Tate

dBASE II 700 389

dBASE II

w/user"s guide 729 409

Friday 295 198

Caxton

Cardbox 245 177

Condor

Condor 3 650 395

DJR

FMS 80 395 275

Digital Research

Access Manager 300 219

FY!

SuperTile 195 112

Fox & Geller

Quickcode 295 175

Quickscreen/dBASE II ... . 149 119

dGRAPH 295 190

dUTIL 99 58

Human Soft

DBPIUS 125 95

Micro Pro

Infostar 495 327

Microsoft *

Sorting Facility

(MSORT)'" 195 151

Pearl Soft

Personal Pearl 295 221

T/Maker Co.

T/Maker III 275 215

Home/Education/Games

Intocom LIST SALE

Deadline 60 43

Starcross 50 38

Zork I 50 38

Zork II 50 38

Zork 111 50 38

Suspended 50 38

Supersoft

Dungeon Master 40 30

Nemesis 45 34

Language

Digital Research LIST SALE

CB80 500 369

CBASIC 150 94

PL/1 80 500 375

Pascal MT+ 350 262

Pascal MT+ with SPP . . . . 500 395

RMAC 200 150

SID 75 63

ZSID 100 88

Microsoft •

Basic 80 Interpreter 350 249

Basic Compiler 395 285

Cobol 80 750 562

Fortran 80 500 345

MACRO 80 200 150

pLisp/pStar 200 156

Supersoft

ADA Compiler 300 225

C Compiler 250 188

Utility/Comm/Graphics

Byrom LIST SALE

BSTAM 200 149

Digital Research

Despool 50 38

Mlcrostuf

Crosstalk/Smartmodem ... 195 117
Supersoft

Disk Doctor 100 75

moit

Move It .

HARDWARE, NOT
MACHINE SPECIFIC

Amdek LIST SALE

Color II (RGB) 899 645

Hayes Microcomputer Products

Chronograph 249 199

Smartmodem 1200 699 499

Smartmodem 300 279 209

NEC

Monitor 12" Green

Hi-Res 285 167

Novation

J Cat 149 119

Smart Cat 103 259 207

Smart Cat 103/212 595 476

" = Manufacturer's trademark

11 = Indicates a manufacturer's

registered trademark

• We ship within 24 hours on most
items.

• Both East coast & West coast ship-
ping points.

Orders must be PAID
by December 31

to qualify for these
special prices.

Programming International

505 Hamilton Ave. • Suite 301 • Palo Alto, CA 94301

TELEPHONE ORDERS

Outside CA: (800)222-8811

Inside CA: (800)631-4400

Local: (415) 324-3730

Technical Support
Order Status
Sales Manager

(415)324-0311
(415)324-0306
(415)324-0305

Order lines are manned 6:30-6 Monday thru Friday and 9-5 Saturday.
Other lines are open 9-5 Monday thru Friday.

More CPM® , APPLE® ,
IBM PC", UCSD p- System-
software, hardware, etc.:

call for quote.

TERMS: All prices subject to change
without notice and availability. Cashier's
check/MO/bank transfer. Allow time tor
company or personal checks to clear.
Prices reflect cash prepaid discount.
VISA/MASTGRCAHD/COD/PO's + 3%.
CA residents add sales tax. All sales final.

SHIPPING: $3 per item for UPS surface
($6 for BLue Label) within Continental
USA, except where shipping cost is
specified in square brackets. UPS does not
gotoCanada, Alaska, APO's, FPO's;call
for ship charge or add 15%— we will
refund/credit difference.

RETURNS: All returns subject to
managers approval, must have authoriza-
tion number, obtained at 415-324-0305.
Unauthorized returns will be refused;
damaged goods will be refused. All returns
subject to 15% restocking fee. No return
after 30 days.

WHY PAY MORE?

BYTE December 1983 261

PRINTERS

Prowriter

1 20 cps, 4 fonts (includes
proportional), 8 sizes, 1 60 x 1 44
dpi, friction & tractor feed. A
worthy rival of Epson.

Prowriter $300.88

Prowriter 2 S71 9.B8

Starwriter

Letter-quality, 40 cps, 1 36
columns 1 0 & 1 2 pitch, uses
Diablo wheels & ribbons (Qume
code). The Printmast.r is the 55
cps version. The A1 0 Starwriter
(1 8 cps) is the new, low-speed
version with the same specs.

A1 0 Starwriter $800.88

Starwriter 1210.88

Printmaster 1 589.08

Tractor Feed $280.88

Sheet Feed 800.88

DIABLO

620 $000.88

630 1070.88

Series 32 1040.88

EPSON

RX/FX Epsons CALL

IDS

Micro 480 $320.88

P-Series

80 1070.86

w/4-color. 14*0.88

132 1239.88

w/4-color 1SS9.SS

IHFORUHHER

Riteman

A compact printer with 1 20 cps,
1 0/1 7 cpi, 1 60 x 1 44 dpi graphics,
optional tractor (pin/friction std).
Parallel $340.88

MAHNK8MANN TALLY

MT-160 L

The MT-160 L (1 60 cps) features
8 fonts (including a correspon-
dence font), parallel & RS-232C
interfaces, friction/tractor feed.
The MT-1 80 L is a 136 column
version. The Spirit (80 cps)
features 4 fonts, italics, dot
graphics & friction/tractor feed.

MT-1 60 L 1840.88

MT-180L 649.86

Spirit 320.88

NIC

2010/2030 $879.68

2050 999.68

3510 1649.66

3530 1830.88

3550 1899.66

7710/7730 21 50.88

Silver Reed EXP-550 & EXP-500

Silver Reed's printers are excep-
tional. Both the EXP-550 (1 7 cps) and
the EXP-500 (1 2 cps) feature sub and
superscript, underlining, backspace,
proportional printing capabilities,
multiple pitch (1 0, 1 2 or 1 5 cpi) and
Diablo 1610/1 620 code emulation,
which makes them compatible with
nearly every word processing program
available. The EXP-550 features a
page-inject system.

EXP-550 (Parallel) $669.88

EXP-550 (RS-232C) $689.88

EXP500 (Parallel) $439.88

EXP-500 (RS-232C) $469.88

EXP-550 Tractor Feed $1 39.88

EXP-500 Tractor Feed $1 29.88

Microline Series

The 02/03 printers (1 60 cps) ,
the 84 (200 cps) are exceptional.
Tough, reliable, they produce
superior draft quality, correspon-
dence quality & graphics. The PC
Plug-n-Play ROMs turn the 02/
93/64 into 100% IBM-PC
compatible printers. Our very best
selling printer line.

Microline 80 $31 0.88

Microline 82A 380.88

ML82A-ML92 Adjustable

Tractor Feed 50.88

82A/83A Okigraph I

(graphics ROM) 40.88

82A/83A Hi-speed RS-232C

Interface 1 20.88

Microline 83A 759.88

Microline 92 450.88

W/RS-232C 969.88

Microline 93 750.88

W/RS-232C 870.88

IBM PC Plug-n-Play Graphics

ROM (92/93) 40.88

92/93A Hi-apeed RS-232C

Interface 00.88

Microline 84 1024.88

W/RS-232C 1 139.88

SMITH CORONA

Messenger

The Memory Correct 111

Messenger (1 2 cps) features 1 0,

1 2 & 1 5 cpi, variable line spacing,

backspace, auto-correction and a

dual parailel/RS-232C interface.

True daisy wheel printing makes it

an exceptional typewriter &

printer, idea, for the home or small

office.

Memory Correct III

Messenger 61 9.88

STAR MICRONICS

Gemini 10X/15

Gemini 1 0X $300.88

W/RS-232C 309.88

Gemini 15 ...450.88

W/RS-232C 560.88

Delta 10 529.88

W/RS-232C 619.88

TOSHIBA

P1350 $1759.88

CABLES

IBM-PC $30.88

Osborne-1 39.88

TRS-80

Model l/lll/IV 39.88

Model 11/16 39.88

Centronics

Male/Male 39.88

Male/Female 39.88

VIC-20/Commodore 64

Parallel Card/Cable 59.88

Apple ll/ll+/lle

Parallel Card/Cable 89.88

QUADHAU

Microfazer

A print buffer with pause, copy &
reset controls. It comes with a 9V
power supply and cable to printer.
There are so many buffer sizes
(from 8K to 51 2K), & so many
configurations (Parallel/Parallel,
Parallel/RS-232C, RS-232C/Par-
allel & RS-232C/RS-232C) that
you should call /BOO) 343-0736
for prices.

MONITORS

NEC

JB 1205M (amber) $179.88

JB 1201M (green) 159.88

AMDBK

300A (1 2" amber) $1 64.88

300G ( 1 2" green) 1 40.88

310A (amber) CALL

USI

Pi-3 (12" amber) $180.88

Pi-4 (9" amber) 1 59.88

QuadChrome

690 x 240 resolution, 80 columns
x 24 lines, 1 6 colors & exceptional
performance. Cable included.
QuadChrome(RGB) $500.88

PRINCETON GRAPHICS

HX-12

Same spec's & performance as
the QuadChrome.
PGS HX-1 2 (RGB) $480.88

MODEMS

US ROBOTICS

Password

M

0-300/12OO baud direct-connect

modem with auto-dial/answer, full/
half duplex, voice/data. Uses LSI
technology. Cables & power
supply included (specify type of
computer).

Password $370.88

"Courier 470.88

*Uses Osborne-1 modem port &
includes Telepac communica-
tions software for the Osborne.

DC HAYES

Smartmodem

0-300 or 0-300/1 200 baud direct-
connect modems with auto dial/
answer, full/half duplex, power
supply & modular cable (RS-232C
cable optional). 1 20OB is an in-
board modem for the IBM-PC &
includes Smartcom II.

300 $219.88

1200 930.88

1200B w/Smartcom li

(IBM PC) 450.88

PERIPHERALS
For the IBM-PC...

We carry a variety of peripherals
for the IBM-PC, including: Quad-
ramQuadboards, Quad 91 2+,
Quadlink. QuadDisk & single-
function boards; AST products;
Tandon's TM-100-2 double-sided
drives; QCS's Big Blue & Hard
Disk; a Hard Disk/Tap*
subsystem; Tecmar's Graphics
Master the Paradise Multi-
Display Card; & the Eagle PC
and Columbia 1800-1 personal
computers.

Call (900) 343-0728 for
prices & orders.

For the Apple II...

We also carry numerous Apple ll/
ll+/lle peripherals, including:
Pkaso Printer Cards; Micro-
soft's Z80 Cards. RamCards &
Premium Packs; Videx's Video-
Term, UltraTerm A Enhancer
II; Rana Elite Disk Drives; AMFs
MlcroDrive; Saturn Systems
Accelerator II & Memory
Boards; Quadrant's eRAM 80
Column Card; & Kensington's
System Saver & the Novation
Apple Cat II. We also carry the

Frankhn Ac* 10O0 & Ace 1200
personal computers.
Call fSOOJ 343-0728 for prices &
orders.

Accessories

We also carry cables, diskettes,
diskette boxes, switch boxes,
surge protectors & printer paper.

Call (BOO) 343-072B for prices &
orders.

Information/Orders:
(603)881-9855

Orders Only:
(800) 343-0726

No Hidden Charges:

e You get FREE shipping on all
orders within the 48 states.

e Most orders delivered within
10 days or less. UPS 2nd Day
and Overnight available for
most areas.

e Easy payment terms: We
accept all major credit cards,
certified checks, money orders,
company checks or personal
checks (allow 21 days for
personal checks).

e We never charge extra for
credit cards.

e Credit cards are not charged
until order is shipped.

e We accept CODs up to $1000
(add $10 handling fee per
order) payable with certified
check or money order.

e We have a $50 minimum order.

Comp my Purchase Orders are
accepted on a limited basis &
upon approval only. Sorry, no APO
or foreign orders accepted.

All our equipment is shipped
with lull manufacturer's warranty.
We are an muthorlzmd domlor for
all products we sell *o insure full
warranty support, & we're autho-
rized for warranty work on a
number of printers. We also offer
extended warranty plans for many
printers.

We prepared this ad in October,
& prices do change, so call to
verify them.

Our Computer Showroom is
now open in Amherst. New
Hampshire, five miles west of
Nashua (one hour from Boston).

Circle 51 on inquiry card.

HIGH TECHNOLOGY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

THE BOTTOM LIKE

IMILFORD, NH 03055-0423 □ TELEPHONE (603) 881-98551

The Future of Metaphor in
Man-Computer Systems

User interfaces from digital watches to digital computers

In the last few years, I have owned
a succession of digital wristwatches.
From the first moment I saw one, I
knew it was functionally the same as
my old Swiss 14-jewel analog watch,
but somehow quite different. Inter-
estingly while the two are recogniz-
ably similar, they share almost
nothing in visual appearance, the
number and type of the controls, and
the mechanism inside. They share
only a single function, telling the
time. Even the way they tell the time
is quite different. My Swiss watch
did so with a picture; a quick glance
would give me a sense of what time
it was. My new digital watch uses
numeric language, which must be
read— a process that is slower but
much more accurate.

Why is this new object immediate-
ly recognizable as a watch? A micro-
wave oven does not resemble a cook-
ing fire, nor does an automobile re-
call a horse. A computerized account-
ing package is radically different from
a set of bookkeeping ledgers and
journals. The digital watch may not
be an exact functional replica of its
mechanical predecessor, but I im-
mediately knew that this new device

by Chuck Clanton

was a watch and that I could expect
it to perform certain tasks. Evoking
this sort of inference from any prod-
uct of a new technology is critical to
its acceptance. The next step, of
course, is to find a device that is easy
to learn and use.

Documentation: Explicit and
Implicit

Though my first digital watch had
four buttons, it had more than four
functions. Unfortunately, I never
could discern any logic to the use of
these buttons in controlling the
watch's functions. For example, the
way the alarm was set and the way
the time was set were completely dif-
ferent. At the end of several months
of ownership, I still had not learned
how to use all of the features without
going back to the owner's manual.
One day I could no longer find the
manual, so I threw the watch away
and bought another. Admittedly, I
am an unusual consumer. I actually
do read instruction manuals and
even have a file folder where I keep
them. Of course, that folder contains
many manuals for gadgets I no

longer own, and the folder occasion-
ally refuses to disgorge the manual
for the device that is bedeviling me
at the moment.

When you are designing the inter-
face for any device, you just cannot
assume that your user has access to
the manual. Even if the manual can
be found, it probably will not be
read. Training programs are no cure:
if they're not completely misguided,
they may help the original users, but
what about all the other people who
follow? The solution lies in the design
of the device itself and how it inter-
faces to its user. The interface
designer must take responsibility for
the "learnability" of the interface.
Paradoxically, the better the interface
(i.e., the more the system fits what
the user expects), the less documen-
tation is needed, so nuances de-
scribed in the manual tend to be
overlooked.

My next digital watch had a few
more functions and no more buttons.
I was somewhat smarter, however,
and found a watch interface that was
easier to understand. The buttons
perform functions in a more logical
fashion, and the currently selected

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 263

function is indicated on the face. One
button selects from among a small
number of functions, and another
chooses among various options for
that function. Hence, the total num-
ber of functions is rather large, but
they're easy to remember because
they are logically categorized.

Mechanical watches use a rotating
stem to set the time. In my digital
watch, two buttons accomplish the
same task, one to increase and the
other to decrease the setting. These
same two buttons are always used for
setting times, whether for the current
time, the 24-hour alarm, the second
time zone, the count-up timer, or the
count-down timer. I never finished
reading the user's manual, so it prob-
ably is still stowed in my instructions
folder.

Inherent "Watchness"

How is it that the digital watch
gained the immediate benefit of
recognition? Why did I assume that
I knew its fundamental capabilities,
even in the face of the first, terrible
interface. And what critical features
made the second interface so much
better? Somehow, this new device
seemed familiar. It impressed me
with its similarity to my prior ex-
perience with watches, and this
similarity made it possible for me to
infer the existence of functions and
controls from that experience. For-
tunately, those inferences proved cor-
rect, so that I quickly gained con-
fidence in my mastery of the new
technology.

If I were to write a manual for a
digital watch, I might well try to ease
the reader into this new technology
by pointing out how the digital watch
resembles the mechanical watches of
the past. An explicit comparison or
simile in my digital-watch manual
would not limit the new device to be
just like the old but would create ex-
pectations from the reader's ex-
perience with the old. On the other
hand, a metaphor, which makes a
comparison without the use of "like,"
produces a stronger inference of
similarity, even though the reader
knows the two objects of the meta-
phor are not truly identical. In a user
manual, prudence dictates the use of

simile to avoid overemphasizing the
similarity.

However, I am not writing a
manual for a digital watch, and in fact
I'm not interested in writing manuals
at all, because most people do not
read them until hopelessly confused.
The device should document itself. It
should create the metaphor that
directs its use, then give feedback
that allows the user to learn more.
Just as with the digital watch, the
metaphor can be vague and inexact,
so long as it helps the user unders-
tand what the device is and how it
may be used.

The watch metaphor for the digital
timepiece was instructive enough so
even the bad control interface did not
make the watch unusable. I was con-
fident that I knew what it was and

The total number of

functions is rather

large, but they're easy

to remember because

they are logically

categorized.

what it could do. Of course, this con-
fidence meant that I blamed the first
watch for my lack of understanding.
Interestingly, when you know to
blame a new device for its faults
rather than yourself, the overall
design is strong. I have no doubt that
it is my toaster's fault when I burn
myself often on its overly hot handle.
I know how a good toaster should
work. Most users blame themselves
when a computer system does some-
thing nasty and unexpected because
they do not have enough experience
with systems that work well for
them— not enough computer systems
are designed well enough for them
to know.

Computing Machines

By now, you may be wondering
why an article on future metaphors
for computer systems has spent so
much time discussing digital
watches. If you think of a computer
as a means rather than an end, than
the relationship may be clearer. The
vast majority of all computers

manufactured in the future will not
be enthroned in homes and com-
puter centers with programmers in
attendance. Most computers will be
dedicated to specific tasks deemed
important to those outside the com-
puter priesthood. To prove my point,
look at the distribution of computers
today. Sure, I have several microcom-
puters in the computer system in my
study (one in my video-display ter-
minal, one in my printer, one in the
tape-drive controller, and of course in
the central processor). I also have
microcomputers in my washing ma-
chine, my microwave oven, my fur-
nace thermostat, my fire alarm, my
two calculators, my digital watch, and
probably a few other places I have not
yet discovered.

Most people will never be pro-
grammers, but they will want the ser-
vices of all the devices spawned by
this new technology. These people
will not be interested in learning how
to get at these services through the
operating system of a general-pur-
pose computer, and indeed they will
not really care that the computer
makes these services possible. All
that will be hidden away, just as it is
in the microwave oven and digital
watch. This is not a change or new
direction for computers. Throughout
the history of computers, their great-
est strength has been the program's
ability to create an abstract machine
to fit the user's model of the com-
puter's task.

The computer was aptly named be-
cause its original conception was as
a mechanism for computation. Given
this view of the machine as a "com-
puter," FORTRAN was one of the
most significant early transforma-
tions of the machine to match the
user's task. It did so by providing an
"abstract machine" for algebraic for-
mula translation. Using FORTRAN,
you could write algebraic expressions
in a much more natural and conve-
nient way than you could in assem-
bly language. The machine became
an algebraic-expression processor, an
abstract machine that understood
algebraic expressions the way its
users did. Unfortunately, algebra
does not include a model for control,
since people evaluate each set of con-

264 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Introducing the powerful, multi-processing
HORIZON 8/16 from North Star.

The turbo-charged

system with outstanding

performance.

The new North Star HORIZON
8/16 microcomputer can handle
up to eight individual users,
supporting both 8-bit and 16-bit
applications simultaneously.

Its advanced, multi-processor
architecture makes this powerful
performance possible. Unlike
other multi-user systems, the
HORIZON 8/16 doesn't load up
its users on a single processor;
instead, it provides a dedicated
processor for each individual
user — at a cost no greater than
that of conventional multi-user
systems.

The result? No degradation
in processing performance, even
when there are eight users on
the system.

And North Star's industry
standard S- 100 bus gives you the
flexibility to choose your options
and tailor the system to meet
your specific requirements.

Whaf s more, the new North
StarTurboDOS" is many times
faster than standard, multi-
user operating systems — and is
compatible with CP/M-80,"
CP/M-86" and MP/M.™

As for reliability, over 30,000
first generation HORIZONS are
still in use. And each of these
can be easily upgraded to the
new 8/16 architecture.

The HORIZON 8/16 out-
performs everything in its class.
Costs no more. And is the only
multi-user micro designed to

meet your needs for today, and
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You can discover North Star's
HORIZON 8/16 at more than
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houses nationwide. Call 800-
722-STAR for the location
nearest you. Or write North Star
Computers, Inc., 14440 Catalina
Street, San Leandro, CA 94577.

NorthSlar^

Simply powerful solutions.

TurboDOS is o registered trademark of Software

2000, Inc. CP/M-80, CP/M-86, MP/M and CP/M are

either trademarks or registered trademarks of Digital

Research Inc.

The logo, togline and HORIZON are either trodemarks

or registered trademarks of North Star Computers, Inc. 0 1983

Systems serviced nationwide by M/A/I/Sorbus Service Division

Circle 318 on inquiry card.

FLEXI-BUNDLE^

Now, select up to $2,000 worth of
free software of your choice,

hen you buy a North Star computer.
See your dealer for details.

Circle 427 on inquiry card.

GET FULL VALUE

FROM YOUR VICTOR 9000™

UCSD p-SYSTEIN/T IV.1t UCSDpSystm

Get the most from your VICTOR I

9000 as well as from your software

development efforts. The power

and portability of the UCSD

p-System Is available for the

VICTOR 9000 from TDI.

The Standard Development
System Includes:

• Full Screen Editor, Filer,
Assembler and other Utilities
The UCSD Pascal Compiler -
Native Code Generator
Ram Disk Support Above
128K

Turtlegraphics-full use
of VICTOR screen
(800 x 400)

• Complete documentation

Options:

' Fortran 77 and Basic compilers
Hard disk support

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ditions and decide the next step. To-
day, FORTRAN is justly criticized for
its lack of good control mechanisms.
Yet its algebraic model for computa-
tion has been propagated into most
languages since that time because of
its success in matching our expecta-
tions about computation.

Our inferences based on our ex-
perience with algebra are not entire-
ly correct— the difference between
"real" arithmetic and "floating-point"
arithmetic has bitten many of us
more than once, and most new
learners have at least some problems
with the "assignment" statement.
Nonetheless, the introduction of
FORTRAN was a significant step in
making the machine match the needs
of its users. Since that time, the au-
dience for a "computing machine"
has become far outnumbered by
those desiring services that are not
computational.

The Linguistics of Use

Programming languages have be-
come the tools for implementing
these services and have proliferated
to best support development of dif-
ferent applications with different
characteristics. As a result, program-
ming languages have also become in-
creasingly removed from the most
common users. Today, the most com-
mon computers are dedicated to
specific functions: buried inside
microwave ovens for control, inside
calculators for complex calculation,
inside telephones for remembering
phone numbers, and inside digital
watches for side effects of very sim-
ple arithmetic and memory.

In many ways, the digital watch
seems the archetype of the future for
computers— replacing devices and
procedures that have serviced our
needs less well and creating new
needs by extending our capabilities.
Who knows or cares what language
was used to program the computer
in the microwave, the calculator, or
the watch? Certainly not the audience
for whom these products are in-
tended.

The proliferation of the personal
computer has created the expectation
that many existing tasks can be sup-
ported more efficiently and more ex-

266 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 504 on inquiry card.

■

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Application Utilities 5439

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Circle 149 on Inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

267

uberantly by this new generation of
computers. What has been called the
personal computer "revolution" will
appear, historically, to be only the ini-
tial call to arms. This movement
reflects the dramatically changing
economics of digital electronics and
promises a new era of products that
better support our information-pro-
cessing activities.

Microcomputers

When single-chip microprocessors
first appeared, the potential power

and economy of this emerging com-
puter hardware was soon recognized.
Home-built computers with 256 bytes
of memory and no nonvolatile stor-
age began appearing in surprising
numbers. The computer itself cost
very little, though in this form you
could do little with it. Despite rumors
to the contrary, we have not come
very far since that time— not when
you consider the potential penetra-
tion of this technology into our lives.
Certainly, the small, general-pur-
pose computer has come of age.

The MICROWRITER
Daisy Wheel Printer.

" :

Price $480

Features:

• Microwriter parallel interface mounted internally in the Olivetti Praxis machine • Built in self test

• Portable... comes with deluxe carry case • Low noise level • Slim modern styling • Print quality
is identical to the finest office typewriters on the market • Can tab • Rule single lines both vertically
and horizontally • Underline • Print at 10, 12, or 15 characters per inch (switch selectable) • Ten
character memory automatic error correction, with lift-off carbon film correction ribbon (for
typewriter use) • Automatic or programmable page formats • Handles letter, legal size sheet and
fanfold paper in widths up to 12 inches wide • 165 character/12 inch print width • Wide selection of
21 interchangeable daisy print wheels available • Ribbon cassettes just drop in* Switch selectable
European keyboard • Centronics compatible parallel cables are currently available from stock
With the Microwriter you will never again have to send an important letter or a simple conespondence
that doesn't look impressive. Why settle for just any printer when you can have a
MICROWRITER ... a fine letter quality typewriter for you and your computer. For more information,
see your local computer dealer or contact Ammicro directly.

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There is now software to support
most of the obvious uses of such a
system in the home and business.
And those of us in the computer
fraternity feel satisfied that much has
been accomplished and that much of
what we wanted is now available.
The rest of the world will just have
to learn some of what we know so
people can pick the right software,
find the best hardware to run it, and
figure out the obscure incantations
necessary to make it all work. You
often hear us make comments like
"Ignore that bug; it doesn't matter
most of the time" and "Yes, that's
confusing, but I can tell you what it
means."

We are deceiving ourselves. People
do not really care about the computer
revolution any more than they care
about any other item on the front
page of their newspaper. Interested?
Yes. Involved? No. Nor do they want
to learn what is needed to use these
miracle machines. They just want the
miracle itself.

For now, we can force them to join
the fringes of our fraternity because
it's the only game in town. However,
when a product appears that does
what people want without all that
elitist computerism about it, the mar-
ket will prove that the users will buy
what most directly satisfies their
needs. An electronic accountant need
be no more tainted by the presence
of a microcomputer chip than the
electronic typewriter or calculator has
been.

People are already doing most of
the tasks that they want and need to
do. New products must solve the
same problems but with better ser-
vice and in a better way. My digital
watch tells time, but not in the same
way as its predecessor. It also re-
minds me of the passing of time with
an hourly chime, like the old grand-
father clock in my hall. It times park-
ing meters for me so I do not have to
try to calculate how much time I have
left. When I travel, it tells me both the
local time and the time back home so
I no longer call the office at 6 a.m.
This digital timepiece is only meta-
phorically the watch of my past ex-
perience. That is just the starting
point for my understanding of it.

268 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 26 on inquiry card.

ORCA/M IS THE

WORLDS BEST

6502 ASSEMBLER.

You'll agree when you read what Peelings II and
Softalk said:

"The amazing thing about ORCA/M" is that in addition
to being clearly superior to its competition, it also
was written with future improvements in mind. The
combination of power and potential is what warrants
the AAA rating." Peelings II, Volume 4, Number 5

ORCA/M is only the second product to ever re-
ceive the top AAA rating in the history of Peelings II.

AAA, incidentally, stands for "absolutely astounding"
software.

Softalk magazine had this to say: "ORCA's true
destiny is to assemble creations of the greatest sort:
programs so big we don't even tend to think of them
as programs but rather as part of the soul of the
machine. ORCA would be a good assembler to get you
started on the great American Arcade Game ..."

Softalk, May 1983

Now. The kind of high-level
support you'd only expect to
find on a mainframe.
ORCA/M (Hayden's Object

Relocatable' Code Asseitiblerfor
Micros) lets you develop sophis-
ticated applications with the
speed and ease of a high-level
language, yet retain the control
and efficiency that only assem-
bly language can give.

Here's what ORCA/M gives you:

The Assembler

Macro language features:

o Conditional assembly of source

and macro files
o Separate source and macro files
o Nestable macros

Parameter mid-string and string

search functions
c Symbolic parameter assignment
□ Numeric, string, and boolean

type parameters
c Parameter subscripting
o Global communication between

macros

Macro expansion loop control
a Count, length and type

parameter-attribute functions

Extensive Macro Libraries

Memory Constant Declarations:

o Integer

Character
o Four-byte Integer

Hexadecimal
. i Floatingpoint

Relocatable object module
generation

Fast assembly directly to disk

Program segmentation:

• Selectively assemble individual
subroutines

Global and local scope of
symbols

The Linker

Produce executable binary

files from relocatable object

modules

Link routines from library files

Link subroutine re-assemblies

Define a new origin for
previously assembled code

Invoke at assembly time or by
command

Subroutine libraries:

o Floating point and
double-precision routines
Transcendental functions

o Hi- and lores graphics
Multiple-precision integer math

o Input and output

The Editor

Co-resident screen editor:

o Global search and replace

o Block move

o Entry of non-keyboard
characters

Supports lower case adapters
and shift-key modification

80-column: horizontal scrolling
with 40-column displays

The System

Monitor: transparent control
of system from one command
level

Extended Disk Commands:

o File copy
o File undelete
o Catalog sort
Wildcard filenames

Disk ZAP: Built-in disk sector
editor

Optimized DOS 3.3 compatible
operating system

Operating system interface:

Supports a variety of
configurations

User-modifiable to allow linkage
of custom drivers for peripherals

64k RAM supported,
48k required

This unique array of features
and functions speaks for
itself: the power of ORCA is
unsurpassed.

All features are documented
clearly and extensively. Source
listings for the subroutine and
macro libraries, as well as the
operating system, are included.

ORCA. If you're serious about
developing 6502 software,
it's the one to have.

Available from your local dealer,

or call:

800-343-1218

(In MA call 617-937-0200)

ORCA/M: 21609

Apple II or lie disk, 48k, DOS 3.3

Two drives and 64k

recommended.

$149.95

ORCA/M is now also the best 65C02 assembler, sup-
porting all 27 new opcodes. New hardware support
includes the He 80 column board and disk emulators
for the Legend" 128K card and He extended
memory card.

HARDEN SOFTWARE

Circle 211 on Inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

269

Circle 300 on Inquiry card.

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From there, I have learned many new
functions of time that I now relate to
the concept of "watch." A study of
the U.S. population of watch buyers
would probably reveal an almost
universal shift in the concept of
"watch" due to this new product. The
shift in expectations is little noticed
because the metaphor provides con-
tinuity with our past experience. As
control interfaces improve, it be-
comes easier to learn the new ser-
vices these new machines provide,
and the change in the sophistication
of their users accelerates.

Metaphors

By now it should be apparent that
the ability to infer from prior ex-
perience is critical to the human in-
terface of these new "miracle prod-
ucts." To understand these metaphors
and how they will evolve in the
future, let's view them from the per-
spective of the type of service they
must introduce.

A metaphor can make the function
of a machine be more compatible
with its user's view of the task, what
is here called a functional metaphor.
Our example, the digital watch, is
built to look and act similar in many
ways to its mechanical predecessor,
so that we immediately assume cer-
tain operations will be available.
Metaphors can also be used to unify
sets of operations {operational meta-
phors), so that we have expectations
about what is available and how to
use those operations. Possibly the
oldest of these is the computerized
workstation, which implies that the
computer has all of the operations
present in the physical workstation
that preceded it.

Unlike the operational metaphor
that emphasizes functions, the organ-
izational metaphor focuses on how
people use the location and distribu-
tion of the information at their dis-
posal to identify priority and catego-
rization. (The In box and Out box on
my desk are simple examples of how
location can categorize information.)
Finally, the integrating metaphor allows
separate products to share a single
conceptual model, much like the fil-
ing cabinet and the typewriter
assume the same physical dimen-

270 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

sions of the piece of paper.

Functional Metaphors

I have created estimates for con-
struction projects that used a spread-
sheet with a series of interrelated
tables for each subcontractor and
class of material with amounts, unit
pricing, and extended pricing. In-
evitably, some amount or unit price
must be changed, and changes must
then be propagated through a
number of other tables, which re-
quires lots of erasure and is difficult
to remember if the spreadsheet was
not recently created. In frustration, I
have often just thrown up my hands
and fudged the final amount by a
guess.

Then, Visicalc and its progeny were
released. Without ever being con-
scious of it, I discovered that it was
a product that I needed for years.
Other tools were available to help
with the spreadsheet problem, such
as calculators for the computations
and special paper to keep the col-
umns neater, but here was the real
thing: an electronic spreadsheet. This
product "knew" what I was doing
and helped me do it quite naturally.
As soon as I used my first electronic
spreadsheet, my world changed in a
way that was perhaps more spec-
tacular but no less fundamental than
with my digital watch. No electronic
spreadsheet that I have used seems
just right, but the difference between
having one and not is like the dif-
ference between a campsite with
water and one without. I could never
go back to pencil and paper again.
For appropriate tasks, this product
provides a very strong metaphor that
closely matches my view of the task.

The match is not perfect. If it were,
the electronic spreadsheet would be
of little value. No paper spreadsheet
allows you to instruct it in how the
entries are related. Nor does it auto-
matically refigure the values at your
request. These and many other use-
ful features of the electronic spread-
sheet are new, but they are exactly
what I had been waiting for.

In the future, people will no longer
see their financial planning, estimat-
ing, and other spreadsheet tasks
through eyes limited to a paperbased

Circle 304 on inquiry card. *

ROW

There's a certain kind of person
who buys a Morrow business computer.

The kind of person who doesn't follow the crowd. In business. Or away from it.
You've succeeded by making your own decisions.

And when it comes to a decision on computers, you know that you don't have to pay
a lot of money to get a lot of computer. Morrow knows that too.

That's why we make a complete line of systems, including software, from $1599 to
$2745. Plus letter-quality printers starling at $595. All, with performance so reliable you'll
probably never need the nationwide service we offer from Xerox.

But maybe you don't know this: We've just introduced a hard-disk system with more
performance at a lower price than anything else on the market. Anything.

The new MD11 includes an 11MB hard disk; 400K of floppy memory; 128K RAM;
8K ROM; 2 serial, 1 parallel and a main frame communications port. Add the legendary speed
of the Morrow controller, a complete package of software, plus
a full-size terminal, and you may not be ready for the price: .^— -

$2745, complete.

Morrow has never built computers to please everybody.
We build (hem for people who demand value.

It's simple. Those who know buy Morrow.

The computer for independent people. %

Morrow, (>00 McCormiuk Si reel. Sun Leandro, CA 95477 ■'■?,'•*

lor the Morrow Dealer nearesl yon, calk IHOO) 52Ik3493
(4J5) 430-1970 In California

New 11MB MDI1 for $2745

Satisfying More Than

With Innovation

^32" ~*.

Grapple! +

1 I Printer Interface

The Original Apple® graphics printer interface.
Since its introduction three years ago, the
Grappler has been imitated by many, but never
matched. Now with exclusive features for the
Apple Me and full support of new
Epson® graphics,
the Grappler +
remains the most
intelligent interface
available. Over
twenty-seven com-
mands give Apple users full control over any
graphics or text on the Apple screen, including
a new 80 column text dump. Performance, relia-
bility and support have made the Grappler +
the #1 selling intelligent Apple interface.

iifeSitel

For Apples and Printers

The innovator in "dock-on" printer buffering. The
Bufferboard easily adds memory to your current
Apple interface system, freeing your computer for
additional input. Easily upgradable from 16K, the
Bufferboard can store up to 20 pages of text. It
fits neatly inside your Apple, "docking" onto your
existing printer interface* No clumsy boxes or
cables, no external power supplies... just conve-
nience and
economy. With
the Bufferboard,
you might never
wait for your
printer again.

"Versions for standard Grappler + , Epson APL and Apple
Parallel Interfaces.

mtfitv

272 BYTE December 1983

135,000 Apple Owners

And Excellence.

'immMM^m i

cr +

The most sophisticated buffered Apple printer
interface available. The New Buffered Grappler +
combines the industry leading features of the
Grappler + with the time saving economies of the
Bufferboard.**

With this much interface power, you'll never need
anything else. And the price will surprise you, too.

* "Not available for IDS printers.

Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computers, Inc.
Epson is a registered trademark of Epson America Inc.
See us at Comdex Booth #2581.

Circle 330 on Inquiry card.

Over 135,000 Apple® computers are using Orange
Micro products. Innovation and excellence have
made us the #1 manufacturer of intelligent printer
interfaces. The top selling Grappler + has
become an industry standard, recommended by
more software houses and Apple dealers.
To meet your growing needs, Orange Micro will
continue to introduce new products. Recent inno-
vations include the Grappler + for IDS color
printers and the new Orange Interface, with text
screen dumps and formatting at a low price.
There is an Orange Micro product designed for
your application.

For a complete demonstration, see your Apple
dealer today.

HOranqe Micro

bd inc.

1400 N. Lakeview Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 U.S.A.
(714) 779-2772 TELEX: 183511 CSMA

cciOrange Micro. Inc.. 1983

International Distributor Inquiries Invited.

BYTE December 1983 273

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DigiTAL MARKETING

Circle 145 on inquiry card.

experience, but rather through eyes
accustomed to the added functionali-
ty of the electronic spreadsheet. The
perceptions and expectations of the
people that make up this marketplace
have been irrevocably changed
because of the success of the elec-
tronic spreadsheet.

Operational Metaphors

The Xerox Star was a signal product
that demonstrated the power of
metaphor in the interface of an office
workstation. This product and its
progeny, including the Apple Lisa,
use a desktop metaphor to provide a
consistent interface to a system with
office-automation functions. Because
many of the concepts are new, each
system has serious flaws, but it is
much easier to see flaws when the
whole has a consistency and integrity
that highlights the problems rather
than drawing one's attention away
from them.

An interesting aspect of the user in-
terface in these systems is the use of
the mouse pointing device. This is
obviously metaphorical, because you
do not actually point with the mouse.
The movements you make with the
mouse are translated to movements
of a cursor on the screen. The tight
physiological hand-eye feedback loop
reinforces the metaphor so well that
it quickly becomes as natural as using
your finger to point.

These systems package together a
number of applications with a con-
sistent style of interaction, using the
mouse, overlapping screen windows,
menus, and a location-operation syn-
tax. This consistency has the advan-
tage that it need be learned only once
but the disadvantage that it forces all
functions to share the same input
and output concepts and mechanics.
The functions themselves are dis-
tinct, and the desktop metaphor
serves to suggest the presence and
nature of the individual functions
available in the workstation.

The sense of consistency in the in-
terface of the various individual func-
tions is gained because general-pur-
pose operations are common to each
of them. The number of operations
is reduced because of their generality.
Though "learnability" itself has not

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Circle 495 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 275

been as well addressed as consis-
tency, it is certainly enhanced by the
small number of consistently applied
operations.

This electronic desktop is certainly
not like my old oak desktop— it offers
its user both more and less. Many
new services are provided that were
either not available or not as simple
without the computer. On the other
hand, the actual physical piles of
paper on a desk organize and adver-
tise work in a way that is difficult to
do on these systems.

Organizational Metaphors

The desktop metaphor has proven
very appropriate for integrating a
cohesive set of functions but less suc-
cessful for modeling organization of
work. There is more to organize than
the long-term storage of file cabinets
and software operators. Recent
studies have just begun to give us in-
sight into how people actually
organize their work and use the files,
drawers, and horizontal surfaces in
their offices to create an entire
organizational ecology. Each stack of
papers on my desk has a different
significance, and the visibility of the
items in the stack serves to remind
me of what I need to do.

As yet, I have not been able to re-
place these well-worn conventions by
the facilities of any computer system,
at least not with anything approach-
ing the same immediacy and evoca-
tive power. Future computer systems
will undoubtedly focus more atten-
tion on metaphors that include visual
cues to assist my short-term and
intermediate-term memory in the or-

ganization of my work.

Integrating Metaphors

A small but growing number of
current software packages attempt to
integrate several functions into a
common framework. A database,
word processor, and spreadsheet
seem to be a common selection. Al-
though most of these are integrated
only in the sense that there is some
access to each from the others and
some uniformity of display and input
mechanism, they share the same in-
terface hardware. This visible integra-
tion in a single machine is primitive
and transient. As the cost of digital
electronics continues to drop, it will
no longer be necessary to share one
set of hardware across these many
products. After all, each is com-
promised somewhat by the demands
of the others on the interface and by
the extra burden of learning how they
relate and share the same hardware.
As hardware gets cheaper, the user
does not need to suffer these com-
promises or learn the level of com-
mon control that integrates these
products.

To the extent that a single product,
such as a word processor, needs ac-
cess to spreadsheet and database
functions, they should be included in
the word processor itself. To the ex-
tent that it need share only informa-
tion with other products, that shar-
ing should occur magically without
intervention from the user. Once this
magic becomes commonplace, it will
gain acceptance, and only its absence
will be noteworthy. The products
themselves do not need to appear to

be shared. Each can have its own box,
with its own input and display
mechanism optimized for the tasks it
performs.

After a short time, it will not be
surprising that the results from the
spreadsheet tablet can be displayed
on the word-processor screen when
needed, nor that the entries from the
electronic sales order entry pad are
available to the spreadsheet tablet
and the inventory display instantly.
This level of metaphor assumes the
communication needed to share in-
formation—whether within or across
products. The great burden of trans-
porting data that mankind has car-
ried since the first scribes, merchants,
and bookkeepers will finally be lifted.

This distributed set of independent
functional metaphors incurs less
overhead than a single operational
metaphor because functions have the
support of implicit metaphors from
prior experience with each of the
separate devices replaced by its elec-
tronic counterpart. When your elec-
tronic phone and electronic tele-
phone book can confer without direc-
tion from you, new forms of commu-
nication service become available.
Once available, these services will
rapidly become necessities.

The Future of User Interfaces

We are now seeing the emergence
of hardware that is suitable for spe-
cialized machines dedicated to speci-
fic functions. This hardware includes
hand-held computers and systems
that replace mechanical devices in
the home and business environment
but that do more than their pre-

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276 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 297 on inquiry card.

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<© Copyright 1983, SPSS Inc.

Circle 401 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 277

Circle 299 on inquiry card.

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kwtarCort)

decessors. Telephones, clocks, ap-
pliance controllers, burglar alarms,
checkbook calculators, notepads, and
phone books are all potential can-
didates. We can expect these devices
to continue to proliferate.

Network technology that allows
machines to communicate is coming
of age. Various types of local-area net-
works and communication software
are available, and the rich potential
for interconnected groups of small
computers is just beginning to be
realized.

Input and output devices for in-
creasing the bandwidth of communi-
cation between the man and the
machine are evolving rapidly as well.
These include pointing and drawing
devices for input and bit-mapped dis-
plays for output. Much has been ac-
complished with voice input and out-
put as well. Used appropriately, ver-
bal communication can be very valu-
able: an electronic typewriter could
benefit from voice recognition of
commands to keep typists from hav-
ing to move their fingers from the
home row of keys.

Some people advocate full recogni-
tion of spoken language as the best
input technology. Even when we
have this capability, this would not be
the ideal way to interface to many
products. To assume otherwise is to
overlook some critical properties of
the man-machine interface. The com-
plexity of the interface should ideal-
ly mirror the complexity of the task
to be specified or controlled. So-
called natural language is a complex
and cumbersome communication
tool. It is so difficult and time-
consuming for us to say what we
want that we often point to some-
thing rather than describe it. Pointing
is faster, simpler, and less am-
biguous. When people discuss even
simple topics, much repetition and
restatement is often needed before
everyone believes an understanding
has been reached. Even then, people
are often wrong.

If you wish to control a light, a sim-
ple on-off switch is fast and efficient.
The task is well matched to the con-
trol. Even sound-activated lights, the
form of natural language without the
substance, prove surprisingly subject

to misinterpretation. Quiet con-
templation of a new book is inter-
rupted regularly by darkness, while
inconsequential street noises waste
electricity. Manual light switches are
more certain.

Similarly, if I want to indicate a par-
ticular spot in my text in a word pro-
cessor, I would rather point than talk.
So-called natural language is more
useful for those few occasions where
the task itself is complex— for exam-
ple, in database inquiry when the
number of possible queries is very
large.

Interface hardware is improving,
and better hardware makes it easier
and more natural to accomplish a
broader range of tasks. Any product
succeeds only if users can learn how
to use it and decide it provides a
necessary service. Better tools for
communicating between the user
and the product can do much to
assure success. However, the design
of the interface for these products
must be firmly rooted in appropriate-
ly selected metaphors to promote
learnability as well.

As interface designers, we some-
times defend our design with the
premise that our system is designed
to be powerful for the experienced
user like ourselves and that obviously
no system can be ideal for both naive
and experienced users. Some pre-
liminary experimental data in several
areas suggest that this well-known
trade-off is a myth. Several different
types of studies have now shown that
even experienced users prefer sys-
tems that are easy to use and power-
ful. We can build systems that are
easy for the naive user, easy to learn
and become an expert on, and
powerful for the expert. Functional
generality provides power that can be
learned easily.

Learnability involves the ability of
the user to quickly gain a conceptual
mastery over the product that allows
progress from simple initial explora-
tion to more complex later uses.
Learnability is the single most impor-
tant concern in the interface design.
This will be even more true in the
future as products penetrate further
into the market and further away
from the computer fraternity. Meta-

278 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Number One Add- On Products for IBM PC

The Multifunction Cards
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AST Research Number One Add-Ons let you
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AST Research multifunction boards can add
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Circle 6 on Inquiry card.

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Circle 515 on Inquiry card.

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Circle 516 on Inquiry card.

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Circle 518 on inquiry card.

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Circle 519 on Inquiry card.

Circle 520 on inquiry card.

phor provides the mechanism for
gaining learnability by building up a
user's prior experience. Consistency
and generality are only necessary
when they support the metaphor. If
I have already learned an inconsistent
way to undertake some task, learn-
ing a different, but consistent, way is
harder than continuing with what I
have already learned.

The methods and devices that help
the user learn the product are still be-
ing explored— input devices that
simplify giving information and com-
mands to the machine, metaphors
that increase the familiarity and in-
ferability of the interface, and output
devices that maximize the bandwidth
of communication from the machine.

No one knows how to ensure
learnability. Most current systems do
not even use what little is known, but
a select few have been carefully de-
signed from a solid, if metaphorical,
footing and have extended our
knowledge considerably. Current
research in the human factors of
man-machine interfaces is uncover-
ing basic information that is some-
times immediately useful and at
other times is so simplistic that it's
useful only as a basis for further
research.

Good interface design is a dynamic
concept because the exposure of our
culture to computerized products is
ever increasing. Just as the digital
watch and electronic spreadsheet
have changed our conception of the
nature of watches and spreadsheets,
other products have the capability to
redefine the expectations of the users.
To know your market, you must
know an audience that is learning
and changing all the time. As com-
mon experience accumulates, the
metaphors to best serve a new prod-
uct will change dramatically. ■

Dr. Clanton (#4 China Basin Bldg., 185 Bern/
St., Suite 4821, San Francisco, CA 94107) holds an
undergraduate degree in experimental psychology
from Harvard University, a medical degree from the
University of California Medical School in San
Francisco, and pursued interdisciplinary doctoral-
level studies in computer science and psychology at
Stanford University. He has consulted in the areas
of practical applications of the Unix Operating
System, man-machine interfaces, and xvord-ltext-
processing applications.

Circle 428 on inquiry card. *

Now from Timex...a powerful new computer.

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puters designed with one purpose in mind: to be useful.

With /2K on board memory, it's powerful enough to
solve more problems in your home. Entertain you with
brilliant color graphics and 8-octave sound.

Plus do word processing in addition to spread sheet
functions.

And while it does more, it does it with even greater
simplicity.

Its one-touch keyboard means you don't have to
know typing. New Timex Command Cartridges can be
used without any knowledge of programming.

Finally. A home computer you can really use in your
home: the Timex Sinclair 2068.

72K on-board memory.

More memory than any

computer in its class. And

more memory means you

can do more.

8-octave sound.

Can be used to create

four sounds simultaneously

over a wide frequency

range.

Unique one-touch entry.

Requires no typing skills;

makes programming

easier to learn.

Sleek new compact design. Raised typewriter keyboard.

Fits easily on any desk or table. With full-travel keys is based

on world's most popular
electronic keyboard design.

Word processing capability.

This program provides

a 64-character wide screen

when used with a video monitor.

An 80-column printer that
J* provides hard copy
will be available early 1984.

H

Timex Command Cartridges.

Provide faster, easier program
loading, take up less space.

<.*&

TIMEX SINCLAIR 2068

To purcnase the Timex Sinclair 2068 computer see your local dealer, or call 1-800-24-T-l-M-E-X.

© Timex Computer Corporation, 1983

Reviewer's Notebook

by Rich Malloy

Ms / look upon the pile of cardboard boxes and three-ring binders where my desk used to be, one inescapable conclusion comes to mind:
an awful lot of good products are out there. Of course, a few real turkeys lurk here and there, but most of the products that come to BYTE
are close to being works of genius. The only thing that keeps them out of the computer Hall of Fame is the tremendous volume of similarly
inspired products.

Every month, the question of how we should cover this deluge arises. We can do detailed product reviews of only a few products each month.
But which ones do we choose? We have to briefly examine each product that comes in and then pick what look like the most significant or
most interesting ones for reviews. Fortunately, some readers help us out by sending in reviews of good products that they have bought. The
result is that most of the really significant products do get reviewed in BYTE— eventually. But, for some reason or another, a number of
excellent products are passed over and never reviewed.

Even if a product does get picked for a product review, quite a bit of time may pass before the review appears in the magazine. This is
partly because of the way reviews are written. Our reviewers are not full-time writers. Product reviews are usually done in the reviewer's
spare time, a commodity that seems to be in short supply. And a BYTE review requires a tremendous amount of time. Reviewers have to
examine all aspects of a product, not just those features that coincide with their personal interests. Reviewers then have to make a coherent,
orderly, and interesting report of their findings. And that's only the start. Each review has to be checked for accuracy. It has to be edited
so that it is even more coherent, orderly, and interesting. It has to be typeset, proofread, and assembled into an article, checked once more,
transferred to a huge printing plate, and checked yet again. All this checking takes time, but as a result BYTE articles contain few mistakes.

For all those good products that may never get reviewed and for those readers who may not have time to wait for a product review and
for that occasional dog of a product that should be duly noted, I've decided to initiate this semi-irregular page. It won't help lessen the pile
of products that are on top of my desk, but who needs a desk, anyway? As long as I have my TRS-80 Model 100, a few batteries, and a
reasonably comfortable chair, I'm in business.]

The DEC Rainbow 100

The best thing I've seen in the past
few days is the DEC Rainbow 100
from Digital Equipment Corporation.
You'd think that since BYTE is so
close to DEC's headquarters, the
company would be very quick in
sending machines to us. No way.
DEC moves very precisely, but very
slowly, it seems. The Rainbow, how-
ever, seems worth the wait.

The Rainbow looks like a very slick
package. It has two microprocessor
chips (an 8088 and a Z80), a smooth-
scrolling display, excellent documen-
tation, and some nice touches such
as thumbscrews on serial (DB-25)
connectors.

But the Rainbow is no substitute
for the proverbial pot of gold. Al-
though CP/M and CP/M-86 were
originally provided, MS-DOS was a
long time coming. And— get this—
until very recently you couldn't for-
mat your own floppy disks. You had
to buy your floppy disks prefor-
matted from DEC because "ordinary
disks can't handle the high data den-
sity that DEC uses." Come on, guys,
390K bytes on a disk is not what I call

super-high density. But fear not.
Given enough time, sanity reigns. A
disk-formatting program has just
been released, but I haven't seen it
yet. Remember that DEC moves very
slowly. . . . Look for a review of this
machine in a month or two.

Seequa's Chameleon

Another interesting product to final-
ly come our way is the Chameleon
from Seequa, a new company located
in Baltimore, Maryland. This new
portable boasts compatibility with the
IBM PC, CP/M compatibility, graph-
ics, and an incredibly low price of
only $1995. That's just a bit more than
half the price of an equivalent IBM
PC.

Of course, when you buy a com-
puter at a price like this you may have
to forgo some incidental details. For
example, our machine was lacking a
user manual, and the printer port did
not seem 100 percent reliable.

But rest assured that people at
Seequa are very busy trying to iron
out the kinks in their machine.
They've promised to send us a newer,
better version of it, and I'm sure they

will. As soon as I see an improve-
ment, I'll let you know.

Microsoft's Flight Simulator

The Microsoft Flight Simulator for
the IBM PC arrived here a few weeks
ago, and the entire BYTE editorial
staff has been talking about Im-
melmans and inversions ever since.
This amazing package does an in-
credible job of making you think
you're actually flying a small plane.
You can even crash into a simulation
of Chicago's Sears Tower (great fun at
parties) or land at O'Hare Airport.
The package, by the way, also runs
on the above-mentioned Chameleon
and on the Corona when it is
equipped with an IBM Color Graph-
ics Adapter.

Good as it is, the Microsoft Flight
Simulator would be even better if you
could use it with an RGB (red-green-
blue) monitor and a joystick, but for
$49.95 you can't have everything. Go
for a test flight at your local computer
store. It's the cheapest (and safest)
airplane you'll ever fly. ■

Rich Malloy is BYTE's product-review editor.

282 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Announcing

the most sophisticated database program development tools available on any personal
computer anywhere.

The Database

ACCELERATOR

Automatic program, screen, menu, report generation.
Automatically checks, formats, documents your programs.
Now available for the IBM PC at an introductory
price of $1 95. 30 day money back guarantee.

from

Optimal Software

The Database Accelerator is a
trademark of Optimal Software.

Distributed by Programming International

505 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 301, Palo Alto, CA 94301

(800)222-8811 inside California: (800)631-4400

Dealer Inquiries welcome.

Also available at

and other line
software dealers

284 BYTE December 1983

SOT

opening soon:

Chicago, IL
Pittsburgh, PA

Detroi'. Ml
Cleveland, OH

Denver. CO

Kansas City. MO

St Louis. MO

Dallas. TX

Houston. TX

LOCATIONS

Store Hours:

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Sal. 10:00-5:00

New Jersey

Executive Mews #0-74
1930E. MarltonPike
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(609) 424-8575

Two Executive Drive
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
(201) 584-0007

opening soon:

Chicago. IL

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(213) 304-9166

dBASE II™ $389

The most widely sold DMBS for micros, dBASE II defines the
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THE DATABASE ACCELERATOR: Automatically creates menus and "intelligent" data
entry screens which check input for correctness. Eliminates 80—100% of dBASE ^
programming time! 9 I 95

QUICKCODE: Fox & Geller's popular generator §1 75

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ABSTAT: Allows you to analyze your data using a wide variety of statistical tests. Can be ^ _ *%**
used with dBASE files or by itself. Also does bar graphs and plots S339

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$109

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Integrating spreadsheet, graphics, and database capabilities,
Lotus' 1-2-3'" has become the number one selling package for
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(Available at your local Software to go)

EDIX& WORDIX $269

EDIXis a full-screen editor specifically designed to take advan-
tage of the advanced features of the IBM PC; WORDIX is the

best text formatter on the market. Together, they are an EDIX alone $149

unbeatable combination, the finest word processor available £ 1 /I rt

on a micro— at an unbeatable price! WORDIX y I *»V

SMARTMODEM 300 $209

These Hayes Stack Modems linkyour computer's RS232sert'a! m 200 ?S ^m^W^W

port directly to a modular phone jack. They will dial the phone ^*

for you, and answer it as well. The Smartmodem 300 runs at ■ *»****■» 4k ^1 *&£%

0—300 baud; for those needing higher speed, the Smart- 1 200B 9 ^w"
modem 1200 can run at 1200 baud.

BYTE December 1983 285

Hardware Review

The Texas Instruments Professional

Computer

Daring to be somewhat different

by Mark Haas

With everyone in the 16-bit world jumping on the IBM
bandwagon— boasting compatibility, portability and ex-
tended utility— it's a brave company that decides to strike
out on its own and blaze a new trail. The Texas Instru-
ments (TI) Data Systems Group reckoned that although
it would have to contend with IBM's impact on the
market, it could design a better machine. The engineers
also decided that while compatibility was a desirable
trait, it shouldn't get in the way of designing a better
computer. Their efforts resulted in the TI Professional
Computer.

Originally dubbed "Pegasus," the Professional Com-
puter marks the Data Systems Group's entry into the per-
sonal-computer arena. This is not the same division that
produced the 99/4A, now headed toward oblivion, but,
rather, the group that has produced TI's more
sophisticated minicomputers and terminals, including
the ubiquitous Silent 700.

The TI Professional Computer is made up of three
major components: the system unit, the display, and the
keyboard (see photo 1). The system unit measures ap-
proximately 19 inches wide, 5% inches high, and 17
inches deep, and houses the main system circuit board,
disk drives, and power supply. The standard display is
a monochrome monitor; a color monitor is optional. The
keyboard is, well, wonderful.

The System Unit

Out of the box, the Professional Computer is equipped
with 64K bytes of main memory, one 320K-byte 5 V\ -inch
floppy-disk drive, and a CRT (cathode-ray tube) con-
troller card. The system unit provides space for another
disk drive or a Winchester hard disk without adding an

expansion chassis. Four expansion slots are provided for
additional functions; the CRT controller board occupies
a fifth slot; and a sixth, dedicated slot holds a memory
card containing up to 192K bytes of additional memory,
for a total of 256K bytes of main memory.

The system unit main board is the heart of the ma-
chine. It contains the 8088 microprocessor, a socket for
an 8087 coprocessor, 64K bytes of 9-bit-parity dynamic
RAM (random-access read/write memory), memory con-
trol logic for addressing and refreshing the memory, 8K
bytes of ROM (read-only memory), a socket for addi-
tional ROM, a Centronics-type parallel printer port, an
I/O (input/output) port for the keyboard, a floppy-disk
drive controller, five expansion connectors for the CRT
controller and other options, one slot for memory ex-
pansion, timer chips, and a speaker. Photo 2 shows the
system unit with its cover removed. Unfortunately, the
disk drives obscure a total view, but the expansion slots
and power supply are clearly visible. A block diagram
of the system board is shown in figure 1.

Like IBM, TI abandoned its own proprietary micropro-
cessors and based this computer on Intel's 8088 16-bit
chip instead. In the Professional Computer, the chip runs
at a clock speed of 5 MHz, compared to 4.77 MHz in the
IBM Personal Computer (PC). TI makes no secret of the
fact that its system will support an 8087 coprocessor. In
fact, TI states throughout its technical documentation
that the term "CPU" refers to both processors. The 8087
chip is still a bit pricy, but that probably will change with
time, and TI is already providing Microsoft's FORTRAN,
Pascal, and COBOL compilers that support this chip's
extended commands.

In the "bottom-of-the-line" version, the 64K bytes of

286 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Photo 1: The TI Professional Computer is made up of the system unit, the display, and the keyboard. This computer also has a 5-megabyte
Winchester-disk drive installed to the right of the 320K-byte floppy-disk drive.

9-bit RAM become nine chips of the 4164 type (64K by
1 bit), soldered directly to the system board. The optional
memory-expansion board supplies 64K bytes of 9-bit
RAM, and sockets can handle another 128K bytes of 9-bit
RAM, bringing the total system RAM to 256K bytes. At
first glance, 256K bytes seems to be the system limit, but
a look at the technical manual shows the memory space
from (hexadecimal) 40000 to BFFFF to be reserved for
"expansion-bus memory." (Note: all addresses and
machine-language instructions are in hexadecimal unless
otherwise specified.) An additional 512K bytes can be
installed through one of the remaining expansion slots,
and TI is preparing such a board now.

The 8K-byte system ROM contains what are called
"device service routines" for controlling the principal I/O

devices in the system unit. The liberal use of hardware
and software interrupts and software vectors, or pointers,
enables a knowledgeable programmer to truly customize
the use of the machine. These vectors reside in the bot-
tom IK byte of system RAM and can be changed to point
to custom service routines. Through the use of these vec-
tors, you could, for example, create any keyboard layout
desired (Dvorak, anyone?).

The device service routines contained in the system
ROM are directly accessible for system programming.
They include routines for complete floppy-disk and
Winchester-disk control (read a sector, write a sector,
etc.), keyboard translation and buffering, speaker con-
trol, display and graphics control, and many more func-
tions. Generally, these functions are implemented by

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 287

At a Glance

Name

Texas Instruments Professional Computer

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments Inc.
Data Systems Group
POB 402430
Dallas. TX 75240
(800) 527-3500

Components (base system)
System Unit

19 by 17 by 5% inches; Intel 8088, 16-bit internal, 8-bit external,
5-MHz clock; 64K bytes of RAM, expandable to 768K bytes;
one 320K-byte, S'A-inch floppy-disk drive standard; five expan-
sion bus connectors for peripherals, one for memory only [six
slots total)
Keyboard

Low-profile enclosure, 20'A inches wide, 8 inches deep, Vh
inches high, full-width tilt elevator; 97 keys, Selectric-style
keyboard, diamond-pattern cursor pad, numeric keypad, 12 pro-
grammable function keys; Intel 8048 microcontroller,
2400/300-bps data link to system unit
Display

Monochrome CRT, 18-MHz bandwidth; 80-column by 25-line
display of 7- by 9-dot characters in a 9- by 12-dot cell;
eight color characters (with optional color monitor), reverse-
video, blinking, underlining, blank, and eight color attributes on
a character-by-character basis

Software

System diagnostics

Options
Hardware

Color monitor, 19.2-MHz bandwidth S695

300-bps internal modem, auto-dial, auto-answer S295

300/1200-bps internal modem, auto-dial, auto-answer S750

320K-byte floppy-disk drive S475
10-megabyte Winchester hard-disk drive S2295

One-plane graphics board [two colors) SI90

Three-plane graphics board |eight colors) S325
Synchronous/asynchronous communications card, one

serial port S225
Memory-expansion card with 64K or 192K bytes S300, S600
Memory expansion for additional 512K bytes — 768K
total [available 12/83)
8087 coprocessor (available 12/83)
Software

MS-DOS operating system with MS-BASIC S100
MS-DOS 2.0 with MS-BASIC (available 1/84)

CP/M-86 operating system with CBASIC S240

Concurrent CP/M operating system S350

UCSD p-System operating system S350

MS-Macro Assembler (available 12/83) $100

MS-FORTRAN (with 8087 support) S500

MS-Pascal (with 8087 support) S300

MS-COBOL (with 8087 support) S750
Ryan-McFarland COBOL S950 (S238 for run-time package only)

Multiplan S250

Easywriter II S350

TTY Communications S60

3780 Communications S150

Documentation

Operating Instructions manual

Price

Base system, $2195; full system (two disk drives, I28K RAM,
monochrome monitor, MS-DOS, MS-BASIC), $3070; hard-disk
system (monochrome monitor, 10-megabyte Winchester, 256K
RAM), $5090

* price to be announced

Photo 2: Inside the system unit (the front is at the bottom) you can
see part of the system unit board that contains the 8088
microprocessor, 64K bytes of RAM, a disk controller, a parallel printer
port, and expansion slots. The memory-expansion board is located
on the left side of the unit toward the front. From left to right: the
expansion cards installed in this unit are the synchronous/ asyn-
chronous communications card, the CRT controller card with the
video graphics card mounted piggyback on it, the 300/1200-bps auto-
dial/auto-answer modem, and the Winchester controller card. The
disk drives obscure a large portion of the system board. The power
supply is located at the right rear corner of the unit.

loading certain values into the 8088's registers and then
performing a software interrupt. The interrupt causes
the current program to cease execution, and control is
transferred to a device service routine pointed to by one
of the vectors located in the bottom IK byte of memory.
For example, if a value of 0 is placed in the 8088's AH
register, and a value of 40 is loaded into the AL register,
then the speaker will sound for 1 second when an INT
48 instruction is executed. By changing the vector in
memory associated with the INT 48 instruction, you can
cause control to be transferred to a custom routine.

Table 1 shows the various interrupt vectors. Note that
the actual address of a vector can be determined by
multiplying the vector number by 4. For example, the
keyboard print-screen vector (called by interrupt 5E)
would be a double word at 0:0178 (5E x 4 = 178).

The memory map (table 2) also shows reserved space
for "smart" peripherals or option boards that contain
ROM and are installed in the expansion slots. The review
unit contained one of these boards, the Winchester-disk
controller. This board contains its own 8K bytes of ROM
that controls the operation of the hard-disk drive.

Unlike the IBM PC, the Professional Computer does
not have to use a slot for a disk controller; TI placed it
on the system board. Notice that TI's expansion bus is
not compatible with the IBM PC's. Though at first glance
all the address, data, and power lines are in the same
places, a closer look reveals that the various control and
interrupt lines are not. A full description of the TI ex-
pansion bus pin-out is provided in table 3.

The floppy-disk controller held a couple of surprises.
The basic controller subsystem is the now-standard

288 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

ANOTHER TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH FROM SHARP.

THE HAND HELD COMPUTER
WITH POWERFUL CONNECTIONS.

SHARP

EXPANSION
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Now you can take 24K with you wherever
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Basic, the most popular
computer language, it

24K

(oK + lbK) gjves y0U me p0wer and

capabilities to handle most scientific,
engineering and management uses.

I

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The PC-1500A
also has a com-
plete library of
plug-in software
programs includ-
ing: Sharpcalc
(Spreadsheet), Finance,
Math, Electrical Engineering, '■■■J
Circuit Analysis, Business Graphics,
General Statistics, Statistical Distribution
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power fppFj ftSrTJ

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t DEI.

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] Gl3 ED 1=3 E3 E

>ww

The optional CE-
150 Color Graphic
Printer/ Cassette
Interface not only
gives the system
portable printing but also
4-color graphic capabilities. And as a
cassette interface, it can be connected with up to
two cassette tape recorders— one for storage and one for recall.
The CE-158's RS-232C Interface allows communication links
to a wide variety of peripherals such as modems,
bar-code readers, data bases, as well as other
micro, mini or mainframe computers.

Perhaps the only feature of
our portable computer system
that won't overpower you is its
price. It's not only less than

you'd expect, it's probably hundreds of

dollars less. So before you spend a lot

of money and get a lot less computer,

call toll-free

for more

information,

dial (800)-

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and diodes with one tiny "chip.1

Watch for our TV
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ion transistors

FROM SHARP MINDS
COME SHARP PRODUCTS

Sharp Electronics Corp., 10 Sharp Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652. Call for information on custom applications: (201 ) 265-5600, ext 4 361 .
Circle 387 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

289

SYSTEM ADDRESS BUS

P

8086
CPU

b=r\M

PP^

SOCKET

RESERVED

FOR

NUMERIC

PROCESSOR

h

c

8284

CLOCK

GENERATOR

i£

AMZ964

ORAM

MULTIPLEXOR

RAM

.PARtTY
GEN/CHECK

EXPANSION BUS CONNECTORS

(CARD EDGE CONNECTORS FOR OPTIONS)

77

.MEMORY ADDRESS BUS

-^

4164 DRAM«

64 K

SYSTEM MEMORY

E-.

o

<~>

SOCKET
RESERVED
FOR EPROM

"3 R ( /MEMORY DATA BUS

SYSTEM DATA BUS

KEYBOARD
CONNECTOR

Figure 1: The Professional Computer's system unit board contains circuitry for controlling up to four floppy-disk drives, a parallel printer
port, five expansion slots, sockets for an 8087 numeric coprocessor, and an additional 8K bytes of ROM. An additional expansion slot is
provided for memory expansion.

Western Digital chip set comprising the FD1793-02 con-
troller, WD1691 support logic, and WD2143 pulse delay.
One surprise was the provision for 80-track drives (96
tracks per inch). Merely changing one jumper on the sys-
tem board makes the system support 640K-byte drives.
All the disk primitives for reading and writing sectors,
locating, reading, or modifying the disk parameter
tables, and turning motors on and off are contained in
the system ROM, including support for the 80-track
drives. The software in the system ROM reads the system
configuration from the jumper and then calls the ap-
propriate built-in routines. An undocumented option in
the operating-system configuration program, CON-
FIG.COM, tells MS-DOS about these high-capacity
drives; entering the command CONFIG d: = 2,80 at the
MS-DOS prompt, in which d: is the drive letter, will do
it.
A second surprise was an additional connector for two

external drives. TI recommends running a cable from the
40-pin connector on the system board to a 37-pin D-type
connector on the back panel (see photo 3), but by using
half-height drives, you can mount all four in the system
unit. The power supply can handle it. And you can mix
any combination of single-/double-sided, double-/quad-
density drives if at least one (drive A) is an "MS-DOS
standard" double-sided, double-density, 320K-byte
drive.

The efficient, switching-type power supply is rated at
160 watts with three output voltage levels. TI claims this
supply can handle a system with any combination of op-
tions, including two floppy disks and a Winchester disk
or four floppy disks.

The Keyboard

The keyboard on the Professional Computer is one of
the machine's nicest features; unlike the IBM keyboard,

290 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 96 on inquiry card.

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The Power Directors

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Power Directors incorporate UL approved central power control like the Model P12 sh

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Vector

Description

Vector

Description

00

divide-by-zero trap

57*

CRT mapping

vector

01

single-step trap

58*

system timing,

25 ms (time slicing)

02*

non-maskable interrupt

59*

common interrupt exit vector (ROM)

03

break (single-byte) software interrupt

5A*

system timing,

100 ms (timing

service)

04

overflow trap

5B*

keyboard mapping vector

05-1 F

reserved by Intel

5C*

keyboard program pause key

vector

20-3F

reserved by Microsoft for MS-DOS

5D*

keyboard program break key vector

40

8259 interrupt 0

5E*

keyboard print

screen vector

41

8259 interrupt 1

5F*

keyboard queueing vector

42

8259 interrupt 2

60

system ROM

DS pointer

(180H)

43*

8259 interrupt 3 (timer 1)

(F400:A000)

DS size

(182H)

44

8259 interrupt 4

61

factory ROM

DS pointer

(184H)

45

8259 interrupt 5

(F400:0000)

DS size

(186H)

46*

8259 interrupt 6 (disk controller)

62

option ROM

DS pointer

(188H)

47*

8259 interrupt 7 (keyboard USART)

(F400:2000)

DS size

(18AH)

48*

speaker DSR interface

63

option ROM

DS pointer

(18CH)

49*

CRT DSR interface

(F400:4000)

DS size

(18EH)

4A*

keyboard DSR interface

64

option ROM

DS pointer

(190H)

4B*

parallel port DSR interface

(F400:6000)

DS size

(192H)

4C

clock and analog interface board

65

option ROM

DS pointer

(194H)

4D*

disk DSR interface

(F400:8000)

DS size

(196H)

4E*

time-of-day clock DSR interface

66

memory size

in paragraphs)

4F*

system configuration call

outstanding interrupt count

50*

fatal software error trap **

(in paragraphs)

51*

restart timing event **

installed drive

types (byte)

52*

cancel timing event **

67

extra system configuration

53*

SVC interface subroutine **

(config. word 1)

54*

activate task subroutine **

extra system configuration*

55-56

reserved for future use **

(config. word 2)

E0-E3

reserved by Digital Research for CP/M

* Vector actually used by ROM
** Texas Instruments use only

Table 1: Hardware and software interrupts play an important role in the operation of the Professional Computer. The interrupt vectors
listed here can be changed by system and application programs to provide a variety of custom functions, including keyboard redesign.

it uses a familiar, efficient layout. This keyboard remains
quiet while still providing the necessary tactile feedback.
The main keyboard uses the familiar Selectric-style lay-
out, as shown in figure 2. The left-hand Shift key is
where most people expect to find it, and a handy red

Unlike the IBM keyboard, Tl's uses

a familiar efficient layout that's

quiet, too.

LED (light-emitting diode) on the Caps Lock key reminds
you when it's in use. The Control key's position provides
easy use with word processors like Wordstar, and the
ubiquitous Alt key sits directly under it, enabling a two-
fingered system reset (by simultaneously pressing the
Control, Alt, and Delete keys). Indentations on the F and
J keys let you find the proper position on the home row
easily.

292 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

A diamond-pattern cursor pad, with a Home key in
the middle, sits to the right of the main keyboard. Al-
though a T-configuration may work better, a diamond
pattern beats a straight line any day.

To the right of the cursor diamond sits a numeric key-
pad. The little bump on the 5 key is for homing pur-
poses; the keypad also contains comma, tab, and space
keys.

Above the main keyboard, a row of 12 programmable
function keys is arranged in three groups of four keys
each. These keys send different codes in combination
with the Shift, Control, and Alt keys for a total of 48
codes. The debate over the usefulness of function keys
continues; if you like function keys, this will be heaven.
These keys are easily accessible from BASIC with the
KEY command. Unfortunately, the 25th display line only
shows 10 key labels at a time. If you want to use these
keys from outside of BASIC, you must provide a ma-
chine-language routine as discussed in the last para-
graph of this section.

Text continued on page 298

IS THIS LEVEL OF RELIABILITY
I REALLY NECESSARY?

UTRAQ

\SKS

^

5*

tJlp»

0*

c^5

RACK

(/i\rii

FVDobie DISKS

>/s2

<o

«°

«P

3^

^

>P

-C^,

If you've ever lost data due to a
faulty disk, you know how impor-
tant reliability can be.

That's why Accutrack disks are
critically certified at 2-3 times the
error threshold of your system.
Why they're precision fabricated for
higher signal quality, longer life and
less head wear. And why we take
such extra steps as testing single-
density mini disks at double-density
levels. So you don't have to worry
about the reliability of your media.

Accutrack disks. OEMs have
specified them for years. You can
trust them for your data. Call toll-
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dealer.

ACCUTRACK

Dennison KYBE Corporation

82 Calvary Street, Waltham, Mass. 02254
Tel. (617) 899-0012; Telex 94-0179
Outside Mass. call toll free (800) 225-8715
Offices & representatives worldwide

Circle 138 on inquiry card.

K

V

/»

£

Dealers: Give your customers a
choice — Accutrack's OEM perform-
ance as well as your heavily adver-
tised brand. We have the industry's
only complete line of disks, cas-
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If you want a quality line, small
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and match, private labeling,
fast delivery and great price, call
today. Find out how responsive a
media supplier can be.

1 /

* Apple is
of Apple

°* canco?QE

CONCORDE PERIPHERAL SYSTEMS, INC.

a registered trademark
Computers Inc.

a\«*1

CONCORDE PERIPHERAL

Laguna Hilli

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231 52 Verdugo L

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294 BYTE December 1983

Circle 117 for dealer inquiries. Circle 118 for end user inquiries.

Address

Devices

Dynamic RAM:

00000-OFFFF

64K-byte motherboard RAM

10000- FFFF

64K-byte expansion RAM board bank 1

20000-2FFFF

64K-byte expansion RAM board bank 2

30000-3FFFF

64K-byte expansion RAM board bank 3

40000-BFFFF

expansion bus memory

CRT controller:

C0O0O-C7FFF

graphics RAM bank A

C8000-CFFFF

graphics RAM bank B

D0000-D7FFF

graphics RAM bank C

D8000-DDFFF

reserved

DE000-DE7FF

active character memory

DE800-DEFFF

phantom character memory

DFOOO

Bit 0— miscellaneous input buffer, BLUE

feedback, read only

Bit 1— miscellaneous input buffer, RED

feedback, read only

Bit 2— miscellaneous input buffer, GREEN

feedback, read only

Bit 3— miscellaneous input buffer, interrupt

pending, read only

DF001-DFOOF

miscellaneous input buffer

DF010-DF01F

graphics RED palette latch, write only

DF020-DF02F

graphics GRN palette latch, write only

DF030-DF03F

graphics BLU palette latch, write only

DF040-DF7FF

reserved

DF800-DF80F

attribute latch

DF810

CRT controller address register, write only

DF811

CRT controller status register, read only

DF812

CRT controller address register, write only

DF813

CRT controller address register, write only

DF814-DF81F

reserved

DF820

Bit 7— miscellaneous output latch, inter-

rupt enable

Bit 6— miscellaneous output latch,

Othf>r nf>rinh&rals-

alphanumerics screen enable

DF821-DFFFF reserved

E0000-E7FFF reserved for speech storage RAM

E8000-F3FFF reserved
ROM usage:

F4000-F5FFF 8K ROM space (clock/analog interface)

F6000-F7FFF 8K ROM space (local-area net option

board)

F8000-F9FFF 8K ROM space (Winchester controller)

FA000-FBFFF 8K ROM space (reserved)

FC000-FDFFF 8K ROM space, 1 wait state (XU62)

FE000-FFFFF 8K system ROM, 1 wait state (U63)

Table 2: The memory space of the system's 8088 microprocessor
has been partitioned for use by the cathode-ray tube, graphics con-
trollers, and other peripherals, and allowance has been made for
the addition of "smart" peripherals by reserving ROM space.

Users L ve
PRINTEK

Performance

They love the way PRINTER printers go about
doing everything that needs printing. From data
processing, to graphics, to executive letter
quality correspondence. Day after day. With ail
the features needed to make your printer
1 as your computer's.

Three models to i

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Dual speeds— up to 80 cps for correspondence
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Bidirectional/Logic Seeking.
i Multiple character sizes— lo fit every need.
With true descenders for easier reading and
proportional spacing for better appearance.
Resident and downloadable fonts.
Multilingual - to serve computers around the
world. With 96 ASCII characters and up to 8
standard languages.

Dual density graphics— 144x144 dots per inch
for detail, 72x72 for speed— in raster format
with true data compression. Dot addressable.
Versatile paper handling— up to 6 copies on
2y2"-16" paper. For everything from labels to
really big spread sheets (227 cols.)
User lover— quiet (less than 60 dBA),
easy-change cartridge ribbon, front panel
controls and status indicators, self-diagnostics,
easy interfacing, and ready-anywhere
multi-voltage power supply.
You, too, can become a PRINTER lover. Call for the
name of your nearest sales representative.
Printek, Inc., Benton Harbor, Ml 49022
616/925-3200 TWX 810-270-3112

1-800-368-4636

I— I h

□

®

best thing next to your computer

Circle 348 on inquiry card.

With the no-compromise
monitor, the Princeton HX- 1 2,
PGS set the industry standard
for price/performance in a high
resolution RGB color monitor.

Now, we've done it again
with the SR- 1 2: our new super-
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meets the most demanding ex-
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And PGS has set new
standards in monochrome
monitors, too, with the new
MAX- 1 2 amber monitor that's
as easy on the eyes as it is on
your budget.

And

The monitor to meet your
needs

All three PGS monitors are
engineered for no-compromise
performance: to provide you
with a cleaner, sharper image
than any other monitor in the
same price class. The HX- 1 2 and
the SR- 1 2 both feature uncom-
promising color convergence
for crisp whites without color
bleed. The MAX- 12 offers
impressive clarity in a mono-
chrome monitor with easy-on-
the-eyes amber phosphor.

And all three monitors come
with a shielded cable that p/ugs
directly into the IBM PC or XT.

And a

Check the specifications

The HX-1 2 has the highest
resolution (690x240) and the
finest dot pitch (.3 1 mm) in its
class. And yet it's suggested
retail price is comparable to
many medium resolution moni
tors. The HX- 1 2 brings no-
compromise color to the PC
now, with the PGS RGB-80
board, to the Apple lie as well

>am.

rhe new SR- 1 2 also features a

31 mm dot pitch supporting 690
torizontal resolution. However,
)y increasing the horizontal
can rate to 3 1 . 5 KHZ, the SR- 1 2
:an support 480 vertical resolu-
ion in non-interlaced mode.
"his results in a very high
luality, flickerless image with
he ability to generate text that
s truly of monochrome quality,
naking it equally suitable for
vord processing and for color
jraphics. Suggested retail price,
i remarkable S 799.

(am

he new MAX- 1 2 offers you
in amber monitor with 720x350
esolution at a suggested retail
irice (S249) that is actually
Dwer than the leading green-
>n-black competitor. And the
MX- 1 2, unlike many other
imber monitors, runs off the
BM PC monochrome card—
io special card is required.
:iarityoftheMAX-12is
•nhanced by dynamic focusing
Ircultry which ensures sharp-
less not only in the center but
ilso in the edges and corners.

!■

A non-glare screen is standard
on all PGS monitors, color or
monochrome — a feature your
eyes will really appreciate in a
long work session.

Whatever your needs, from
word processing to super
resolution graphics, there's
now a no-compromise PGS
monitor that sets the standard.
Ask your dealer for a demon-
stration and let your eyes
decide. Or call for mqre infor-
mation and the name of your
nearest dealer.

You can look to PGS
for the Image
your eyes deserve.

800-221-1490

Circle 347 on Inquiry card.

Princeton
Graphic systems

II 01 -I State Road
Princeton New Jersey 08540
609 683-1660
TLX 6857009 PGS Prin

MODEM
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(213) 716-1824

Text continued from page 292:

Four keys, Insert, Delete, Break/Pause, and Print, are
located above the numeric keypad. The Print key doesn't
do anything on its own, but when used in conjunction
with the Shift key, it generates a special interrupt that
can be used by systems or applications software to send
the contents of the display screen to the printer. The In-
sert and Delete keys do just that: insert or delete char-
acters on the display. Normally, the unshifted
Break/Pause key stops display scrolling and in BASIC
causes a break to occur when shifted.

The keyboard's attractive, low-profile plastic enclosure
(see photo 4) meets the European standard for the height
of the home row, and the rows form a slight concave arc
from top to bottom. The keyboard unit can be tilted by
depressing two tabs at the upper corners of the keyboard
housing, which causes a spring-loaded flap to drop from
beneath the enclosure. The flap runs across the entire

Pin

Signal

Pin

Signal

A01

NMI

B01

Ground

A02

Data 7

B02

Reset

A03

Data 6

B03

+ 5 V

A04

Data 5

B04

IR0 (interrupt 0)

A05

Data 4

B05

no connection (bused)

A06

Data 3

B06

no connection (bused)

A07

Data 2

B07

-12 V

A08

Data 1

B08

DMA (CPU enable)

A09

Data 0

B09

+ 12 V

A10

Wait

B10

Ground

A11

Logic ground

B11

AMWC (memory write)

A12

Address 19 (MSB)

B12

MRDC (memory read)

A13

Address 18

B13

AIOWC (I/O write)

A14

Address 17

B14

IORC (I/O read)

A15

Address 16

B15

no connection (bused)

A16

Address 15

B16

no connection (bused)

A17

Address 14

B17

no connection (bused)

A18

Address 13

B18

no connection (bused)

A19

Address 12

B19

no connection (bused)

A20

Address 11

B20

PCLK (5-MHz clock)

A21

Address 10

B21

IR6 (interrupt 6)

A22

Address 9

B22

IR5 (interrupt 5)

A23

Address 8

B23

IR4 (interrupt 4)

A24

Address 7

B24

IR2 (interrupt 2)

A25

Address 6

B25

IR1 (interrupt 1)

A26

Address 5

B26

no connection (bused)

A27

Address 4

B27

RFSH (refreshing)

A28

Address 3

B28

ALE (address latch)

A29

Address 2

B29

+ 5 V

A30

Address 1

B30

OSC (15-MHz clock)

A31

Address 0 (LSB)

B31

Ground

Table 3: Although many of the pins on the expansion bus con-
nectors have the same function on both the 77 Professional Com-
puter and the IBM PC, the two buses are not compatible. The
major differences occur in the control bus, including the signal
lines for memory read and write, I/O read and write, and inter-
rupt request lines.

298 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 113 on inquiry card.

Circle 236 on inquiry card.

•

THE SMART CABLE IS THE PERFECT
RS-232 MATCHMAKER FOR
COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS.^

The Smart Cable's unique
on-board logic "looks"
at the RS-232 interface
on each end of your
connection, then cor-
rectly links your printer,
modem or any other
peripheral to your
computer. Completes
data lines, handshakes,
everything. ^

NO MORE (

CUSTOM CABLES.

Now you can avoid ^

the frustration and
confusion of cus- _., .K

tomized cables.
The Smart Cable
instantly creates vir- *-*
tually any RS-232
interface. And if you &
want to swap equip-
ment, or use other e.v
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Photo 3: The rear panel of the computer holds (from left to right)
the power cord connectors for the system unit and display, the fan,
the keyboard DIN plug connector, the parallel printer port connec-
tor, a cutout for a DB-37 connector for expansion disk drives, two
modular phone jacks on the modem card, an RCA jack for composite
video output for a monochrome display (just below the RGB outputs
for a color display), and the DB-25 connector on the syn-
chronous/asynchronous communications adapter card. The two screws
in the upper left- and right-hand corners are all that need to be un-
done to remove the system unit cover. The design is remarkably similar
to that of the IBM PC, right down to the metal flaps that cover the
unused expansion-slot openings.

width of the enclosure and lets the keyboard be elevated
even when it's on your lap. The keyboard is attached to
the system unit by a sturdy coiled cord that, when fully
extended, can reach about 5 feet from the front of the
system unit.

The keyboard unit contains an Intel 8048 controller that
scans the keyboard and not only transmits character in-
formation to the system unit but also receives commands
from it. The keyboard sends information over a serial
communications link at approximately 2400 bits per sec-
ond (bps) and receives commands at 300 bps.

Upon power-up or system reset, the system unit sends
a command to the keyboard, telling it to perform a self-
test. Depending on the results of this test, the keyboard
responds with one of three codes: self-test OK, ROM
error, or RAM error. The system unit can also tell the
keyboard to turn the repeat function on and off, lock and
unlock the keyboard, and return a version number. The

provision for turning a key click on and off is not sup-
ported and requires a hardware modification.

When you press a key, the keyboard transmits the code
to an 8251 USART (universal synchronous/asynchronous
receiver/transmitter) on the system board, which, in
turn, generates a hardware interrupt. Then, 1 or 2 bytes
are placed into the 8088's AX register (the first byte is
generated only when the Shift, Caps Lock, Alt, or Con-
trol key changes states). Several things then happen,
depending on which key was pressed; essentially, soft-
ware interrupts pass control through the vectors residing
in low memory, and the key code usually winds up in
a small (15-character) buffer.

One of the keyboard interrupts can have a special pur-
pose. Right after a key code is received from the key-
board, a keyboard-mapping interrupt is generated (INT
5B). Normally, the interrupt vector (located at 5B x 4 =
16C) points to an IRET instruction, essentially accom-
plishing nothing. But by changing the interrupt vector,
you can give control to a custom routine to remap all
or part of the keyboard or to filter out certain key codes.
This technique can also be used to program the func-
tion keys.

The Display

When you turn on the TI Professional Computer, the
quality of the display becomes immediately obvious. The
characters exhibit sharpness not found on other com-
puters (with the exception, perhaps, of the Victor 9000).
Like that of the IBM PC, the Professional Computer's
display system consists of two units: a controller board
located in the system unit, and a CRT monitor. Unlike
the IBM, however, TI's controller board can drive both
an analog monochrome display and a TTL (transistor-
transistor logic) color display (red-green-blue input).
With a monochrome display, the "colors" are interpreted
as eight levels of gray. With a color display, each character
can be displayed in one of eight colors. An optional
raster-graphics board can mount onto the CRT controller
board piggyback style, thus preserving precious expan-

[m '] [h ) [w ] [w j [fJ [koJ [fu] [™j

DB000Q000000@0
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= + SPAC TA8

0 000(3
0@00000000000S0 000 0000

Q |..„ol 0

00000000

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000

000

Figure 2: The keyboard layout of the TI Professional Computer reveals a more conventional approach to keyboard design: separate alphabetic,
numeric, and cursor keypads, and 12 programmable function keys grouped at the top. The numbers in the upper right-hand corner of each
key are the scan codes that are transmitted to the system unit for further processing.

300 December 3983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 150 on inquiry card.

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Photo 4: The low-profile keyboard unit has a more familiar layout than IBM's. Indentations on the J and F keys help you find the home
row. The tabs on each side of the unit near the top control a flap on the back that elevates the keyboard.

sion slots. In addition, you can mix any combination of
text and graphics on the display.

The basic CRT controller displays characters with a 7-
by 9-dot matrix in a 9- by 12-dot cell. Twenty-five lines
of 80 characters are displayed, thus requiring a resolu-
tion of 720 pixels horizontally (9 by 80) and 300 pixels
vertically (12 by 25), which this system produces with
excellent clarity, even on a color display. A full screen
of text is shown in photo 5, and photo 6 is a close-up
of the character formation.

Each character of the display uses 2 bytes of memory.
The first byte is the actual character code. The second
byte contains attribute information as follows:

Bit 0— Intensity level 1 (blue)

Bit 1— Intensity level 2 (red)

Bit 2— Intensity level 3 (green)

Bit 3— Character enable

Bit 4— Reverse

Bit 5— Underscore

Bit 6— Blink

Bit 7— Alternate character set
As mentioned earlier, the three intensity levels produce
eight colors or levels of gray.

System software enters attributes for each character
through an attribute latch. All characters to be displayed
thereafter will then exhibit those attributes until new at-
tribute values are entered. Characters can be read from
the screen, too, and when this occurs the character's at-
tribute is loaded into the attribute latch, facilitating block
moves of characters and their attributes.

The attributes have a hierarchical order to resolve
possible conflicts. Color attributes have the highest
priority, followed by reverse video, character enable,
blink, and lastly, underscore. For example, when you dis-
able a character, its color attributes remain while blink
and underscore are ignored. The result is an entire cell
displayed in the color attribute(s) without visible blink-
ing or underscore.

Although you get scrolling in four directions, it re-
quires a fair amount of software support. Because the
display "wraps," the software must clear either the top
or bottom line of the screen before scrolling up or down,
respectively. If a 25th "status" line is implemented, soft-
ware must keep it in its place; otherwise it, too, would
scroll with the rest of the screen.

The controller logic lets the 8088 have good access to
screen memory. The screen memory's refresh logic
enables two complete memory cycles to occur between
character display refreshes. One fetches the character for
display, and the other is then available to the 8088 for
reading or writing. There is some slight synchronization
overhead that brings the actual time to no more than 1
microsecond; the usual access time is 600 nanoseconds.

The characters themselves are produced by a 4K-byte
character generator ROM in a fairly standard way, with
row data loading into a shift register and dots shifted
out at the dot rate. In effect, characters are painted across
the screen, one row of dots at a time. The ROM con-
tains 256 characters, but provision has been made for
switching in an additional character ROM or EPROM

302 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Data management
software
takes off.

■

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It's not just a data base. It's data management.
It's a big idea, and once you see how powerful
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Condor Data Management software is the right idea at
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With Condor you get all the power and flexibility
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And it's simple to use. You can set up data fields
quickly without the need for programming experience.
Because Condor I and Condor 3 were written for
business people with business needs.

Begin with Condor I, the advanced file manager.
Upgrade later as your business and your data grows, to
Condor 3, the fully relational data management system. It's
the same system that hardware manufacturers like DEC,
Sony, Zenith, and Hewlett-Packard have selected to market
with their personal computers.

To find out how Condor Data Management software
~| can make your business take off, see your
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xl65 (in California, 1-800-422-4241 xl65) for
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He'll prove our point. That Condor is the
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i simple enough for business to use.

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ltd Used this computer on Intel's 8883 suteen-bit chip instead. The 8860 in
the Te«os Instruments Professional Computer runs at I clock speed of 5 rHi,
compared to the IB1 PC's 4.7? MHz. II takes no secret of the fact that it's
system uiil support an 868? coprocessor. In fact, TI states throughout its
technical documentation that the tern CPU refers to both procesaors. The 808?
is still a hit prices, hot that uill change ui'.h titae, and TI is already
providing; Microsoft's FORTRftfi, Pascal, and COBOL compilers that support this
chip's extended commands.?/
//

The 'bottom of the line" Professional Coiputer is supplied with MK of 3-bit
RATI. Hine chips of the 4164 type (64K by 1 bit) are used, and tbey are soldert
directly to the system board, RAN can be added to the system through the use c
Itoru expansion board that fits into the dedicated memory erpans;c
..,:ansion board is supplied uith 64K of 9-bit RAH installed
'coldered, tool, and sockets are provided to allow another 128X of 9- bit f
' '(ringing the total system Rfln to 256K. Though at fust glance tan
„ the system limit, a look at the technical manual shows the wiory
space from 40O98H to BFFFFH to be reserved for "expansion bus acMry." The

' i that an additional 512K could be installed through the HI
,.»,iing expansion slots, and they are preparing such a board
now. Adding this much extra memory would mean a total of 788K of main memcry.'

..-byte system ROM contains what are called 'device service routines' for
controlling the principle I/O devices in the system unit. The liberal use of
I software interrupts and software vectors or pointers allow]

Photo 5: The display on the Professional Computer is one of its most
outstanding features. The resolution is 710 dots horizontally and 300
dots vertically. A user can mix text and graphics in any way.

We ■ V V

V Viy • /

ontrol, display and graphit
se functions are implements
ters and then performing a

present program to cease i
jgrvice routine pointed to I
Tiemory. For example, if a

40H is loaded into the &

Photo 6: A close-up look at how the screen characters are formed.

(erasable programmable ROM). Bit 7 of the attribute byte
controls this switching, and the controller board includes
a socket for the extra ROM. The addition of another char-
acter ROM makes it possible to display 512 characters.

The Professional Computer supports block, or char-
acter, graphics, but in an unusual way. In order to draw
a solid horizontal line, there must be a way to fill the
entire width of a character cell. But a character cell is 9
bits wide and the character generator can only put out
8 bits per character. This problem is solved in an inter-
esting way. If the dots for any row of a character coming
out of the character generator has bit 7 set, the leftmost
and rightmost dots of that row are copied into the left-
most and rightmost dot positions of the character cell,
thus enabling the entire character cell to be filled and
consecutive characters to be contiguous.

As previously mentioned, the optional graphics board
mounts directly onto the CRT controller board. It has
the same resolution as the CRT controller board, 720
pixels horizontally and 300 pixels vertically. The graphics
board is available in two configurations: one-plane (two
colors: black and a choice of any one of eight colors) and

306 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 353 on inquiry card.

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Circle 15 on inquiry card.

Photo 7: An example of the graphics capabilities of the Professional Computer.

three-plane (all eight colors). I had the eight-color option,
in which each pixel is individually addressable and can
contain up to three attribute bits that provide up to eight
(23) colors. Some of the graphics capabilities are shown
in photo 7.

Before you choose between the two- or eight-color
graphics options, keep this in mind: the two-color ver-
sion is not designed to be upgradable. If you think you'll
want eight-color capability someday, get the three-plane
board.

As implied above, the graphics boards contain
color-mapping logic. The color information for each
"palette" is held in one of three latches— one for red,
green, and blue— on the graphics board. By changing
the values in the palette latches, the code for cyan (101)
could be converted to the code for, say, blue (001). Thus,
all eight colors can be changed by loading new values
into the palette latches.

Other Hardware Options

The synchronous-asynchronous communications
board is capable of driving one RS-232C link in either
asynchronous mode or one of several synchronous
modes, including synchronous data-link control (SDLC)

and high-level data-link control (HDLC). The heart of
this board is, interestingly, a Zilog Z8530 serial commu-
nications controller chip. Most of the remaining circuitry
on board handles the interface of this chip to the sys-
tem bus. The on-board data-rate generator is software
programmable and is capable of generating 17 rates from
50 to 19,200 bps. One DB-25 connector is mounted on
the board edge facing the rear of the system unit.

If you purchase the optional Winchester-disk drive,
you receive a 5- or 10-megabyte drive, a controller card,
and the connecting cable. The drive may be manufac-
tured by TI or Seagate. The version installed in the
review unit was built by TI and had a 5-megabyte capaci-
ty (formatted). The 8088 views the controller as a block
of four consecutive I/O ports. The controller generates
interrupts when data is ready to be read from or writ-
ten to the controller and when an operation is complete
and the controller requests a status read. An on-board
4K-byte ROM contains the driver routines for the con-
troller and can cause the controller to perform a self-test.

The internal 300/1200-bps modem supports auto-dial-
ing and auto-answer as well as originate and answer
modes. It can detect dial tones and busy signals and
communicate asynchronously at 300 or 1200 bps; at 1200

308 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Today, you're doing

more than ever.
So should your phone

AT&T introduces GENESIS Telesystem.

Genesis telesystem is designed
to help organize and streamline
your life in so many ways.

The Genesis telesystem remem-
bers all your important numbers,
including emergency numbers. And
it dials with just a touch. It times
your calls and even has a
built-in speaker.

But the really terrific thing about
the Genesis telesystem is that you
can customize it to fit your own

needs. Add an optional cartridge,
and you've got one-touch access
to call forwarding, call waiting, and
three-way calling. Or add another
cartridge, and you have the conve-
nience of automatic re-dial of busy
or unanswered numbers. And
that's only half of it.

Soon, you'll be able to add a
module with an electronic directory
that memorizes names and
numbers in alphabetical order.

Or the reminder cartridge, to
remind you of special occasions
and appointments.

Genesis telesystem. The more
you do, the more it will help you do it.

We set the standards.

AT&T

© AT&T, 1983

See it at your AT&T Phone Center, now at thousands of leading retail stores.

BYTE December 1983 309

bps, it can also communicate synchronously.

Software

The price of the basic Professional Computer doesn't
buy any software— not even the operating system. MS-
DOS cannot be called the standard operating system,
but you can't help but notice that almost all Tl-labeled
software operates under MS-DOS.

I imagine most people buying this computer will buy
the MS-DOS operating system. Currently TI only offers
version 1.1 of this operating system, but version 2.0

should be available in December. Along with MS-DOS
you get MS-BASIC, version 1.1. You can opt to purchase
CP/M-86, which comes with CBASIC, but you'll pay
more than twice as much. Concurrent CP/M is available,
and the UCSD p-System is sold at three and a half times
the cost of MS-DOS.

The MS-BASIC interpreter is similar to that supplied
with the IBM PC (before its version 2.0) with the excep-
tion of some hardware-dependent commands and func-
tions. I downloaded a fairly generic BASIC program from
The Source that was originally intended for the IBM PC,

Text continued on page 314

TI's Improved BASIC

I actually tested two versions of BASIC, and therein lies a story.
The first version I tested is the one currently being shipped, ver-
sion 1.1. It contains several bugs.

The LOCATE command didn't always turn the cursor off.
LOCATE ,,1 turns the cursor on and LOCATE „0 is supposed
to turn it off. If you've previously turned the cursor on (using
another program or in the immediate mode) and then run a pro-
gram that's supposed to turn the cursor off, it won't. If you run
the program a second time, the cursor will go off. I tried using
two LOCATE commands in a program, but even that didn't turn
the cursor off the first run-through.

As with IBM's BASIC, TI's BASIC version 1.1 contains a com-
mand to control a cassette-recorder's motor. It's the MOTOR com-
mand. The problem is, the TI computer doesn't support a cassette
recorder. So what happens if you enter a MOTOR command? You
may very well have to turn the computer off and on again to
recover. It's not always that bad, but it's completely unpredictable.

The MOTOR command is not documented in the manual that
comes with BASIC 1.1 except in one very obscure place. After the
discussion of the KEY command, there's a brief description of what
is called a "command super shift." This enables single-keystroke
entry of 22 keywords by depressing the Alt key and one of the alpha-
betic keys. For instance, holding down the Alt key and at the same
time pressing the I key produces the INPUT keyword. Pretty neat.
But what in blazes is this information doing in the discussion of
the KEY command? The MOTOR command, which is produced
using the M key, is included in the list of keywords that each
alphabetic key produces. So I pressed the Alt-M combination and,
sure enough, up popped the word MOTOR on the screen. Hit-
ting the Return key caused a complete system failure, and it was
necessary to turn the machine off and then on again. Yes, even
the Control-Alt-Delete combination didn't do anything.

While I'm on the subject of documentation, let me say that the
manual for BASIC 1.1 is terrible. Besides the screwy placement
of the command super shift summary, there is absolutely no in-
formation on the various switches you can control when you first
invoke BASIC. (For the benefit of those seeking this information,
these switches include IM:, which sets the maximum workspace
used by BASIC to provide room for assembly-language subroutines;
IS:, which sets the buffer size for random-access files; IF:, which
sets the maximum number of files that may be open at any one
time; and IC:, which controls the size of the communications input
buffer when using the synchronous/asynchronous card.) Oh yes,
these switches exist. In fact, they are referred to in several places
in the manual (except for IF:), always as part of the discussion
of something else. But nowhere are you told what they are or how
they work.

One feature not explained in the user documentation but found
in the technical manual is the special use of the Alt key. By holding
down the Alt key and entering the three-digit number on the
numeric keypad, you can generate any character code, decimal 0
to 255. For example, by holding down the Alt key while entering
155 on the numeric keypad, the character code 155 (i.e., t) is
generated (CHR$(155) in BASIC). It's a mystery to me why this
is not included in the user documentation.

Then there is the case of the missing commands and statements.
There are some very common commands and statements that are
part of BASIC 1.1 but are not documented. For example, little
things like the SYSTEM command to get you back to MS-DOS.
Then there is the matter of the DATE$ and TIME$ statements
(and variables). These work just fine if you know how to use them,
but don't try to find them in the manual. Although the FILES
command is in the documentation, you'd be hard pressed to find
it. Here are some other undocumented commands: BEEP,
COM(n), KEY(n), ONCOM(n) GOSUB, ONKEY(n) GOSUB,
ON PEN GOSUB, ON STRIG(n) GOSUB, STRIG, and
STRIG(n). Lastly, the RESET command is in the index but
nowhere else.

I think I've covered the really serious omissions. As far as I can
tell, TI didn't put any extra effort into the BASIC 1.1 manual the
way IBM did. IBM's is not that good, but at least Big Blue tried
to give some examples to clarify the more complicated commands,
and the company has organized its manual better than TI has.
It appears that TI simply copied the Microsoft documentation ver-
batim and left parts out.

While discussing the preceding problems with the people at TI,
I was informed that the company is about to release a new version
of BASIC, version 1.2, that has fixed all these bugs and others
that I hadn't uncovered, and that it comes with an improved
manual that documents all the commands and features. TI packed
up a copy of the new BASIC floppy disk and the final draft of the
manual that afternoon and shipped them air express, through a
hurricane, so I could review them before completing this article.
I'm happy to report that, indeed, the previously mentioned bugs
are gone. The MOTOR command is still there, but trying to ex-
ecute it gives you a simple "Device Unavailable" message instead
of a system failure. Also, the new manual will be beautiful; com-
paring it to the version 1.1 manual is like comparing night to day.
Besides being complete, the manual has plenty of examples and
illustrations to explain the more difficult commands. The material
is organized in a more rational way, and it is evident that a lot
of effort went into this revision. This manual will be better than
IBM's.

310 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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1A Loop
1B Division
1C Gosub
1D Strings
1E Prime sieve
1F Disk write
single-sided
loaded
unloaded
double-sided
loaded
unloaded
Winchester
1G Disk read
single-sided
loaded
unloaded
double-sided
loaded
unloaded
Winchester

"not tested

Time

(minutes: seconds)

Professional Computer

IBM PC XT (DOS 2.0)

0:05.5

0:06.9

0:16.9

0:24.7

0:09.7

0:12.8

0:19.9

0:23.8

2:38.2

3:12.0

0:29.8
0:30.4

0:29.5
0:29.9
0:07.1

0:19.4
0:20.0

0:19.3
0:19.7
0:05.1

0:29.0

0:08.0

0:23.0

0:08.0

Table 4: A comparison of the BYTE benchmarks (see listing 1
on page 316) run on the Professional Computer and the IBM PC
XT. Both versions of TVs BASIC ran the tests in the same time.

Text continued from page 310:

and it ran without modification on the TI. You'll en-
counter problems, however, if the program involves
graphics or other hardware-dependent routines. The
commands may look the same, but they don't always
have the same range of parameters. See the text box
on page 310 for software bugs and documentation defi-
ciencies that have been repaired in version 1.2.

TI's BASIC contains some interesting enhancements.
For example, when you first invoke IBM's BASIC, you
are constrained by 128-byte random disk-file buffers and
a maximum of three open files unless you specify
switches IS: and IV:, respectively. TTs BASIC handles this
dynamically, accepting file records of any size, and as
many as 255 files open simultaneously without the need
to specify this when invoking the language.

TI's version of MS-BASIC contains an editor similar
to that in IBM's BASIC. Microsoft has produced one of
the nicest BASIC editors I've seen. You don't even have
to go into an edit mode to use it. For example, you've
listed 10 lines of code you just wrote and notice that on
one line you entered "THE" instead of "THEN." Just
place the cursor after the E in "THE," tap the Insert key,
type an N, and press Return. You've just corrected the
line.

The editing features don't end there. Suppose, for in-

314 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

stance, that you have to enter 15 lines of code, and each
line is almost but not quite identical. (Let's say it's a series
of LINE statements and only one variable is different in
each line.) No problem. Simply enter the first line as you
normally would. Then, to enter each succeeding line,
you merely place the cursor on the first line you entered,
change the old line number to the new line number, and
then change the variable (from A to B, for example) and
press Return. You won't see the original line of code any-
more because you've written over it, but if you entered
a LIST command, you'd see both lines. You can continue
to do this for each succeeding line until you're finished.
In essence, you can build the remaining 14 lines of code
from the first line by entering only what is different from
one line to the next. The process is quite a time-saver.

I ran the standard BYTE BASIC benchmarks for com-
parison with other machines and the results are outlined
in table 4. Because the floppy-disk drive in the review
machine used a head-load solenoid, I ran the disk write
and read benchmarks (6 and 7) both with the head ini-
tially loaded and unloaded. As the results show,
head-loading takes approximately 0.5 second. I also ran
these benchmarks using both single- and double-sided
disks. As I expected, the times for a single-sided disk
are slightly longer due to the extra head seeks involved,
whereas a double-sided disk allows two tracks, one on
each side of the disk, to be written or read without the
head assembly moving. The timings for benchmarks 6
and 7 using the Winchester-disk drive are included just
for fun. As you can see, the times for the Winchester
are about one-quarter of those for the floppy-disk drive.
By the way, all the benchmark times for the two versions
of TI's BASIC were exactly the same. The benchmarks
used are shown in listing 1.

The graphics in TTs BASIC are somewhat simpler than
in IBM's BASIC, primarily because the TI has only one
mode. You always work with high-resolution graphics:
720 pixels horizontally, 300 vertically, and any pixel can
be one of eight colors. No distinction exists between text
and graphics modes; you can mix the two freely. You
can plot individual points, lines, boxes (filled or outline),
circles, and ellipses. A PAINT command fills any odd
shape with a color, and GET and PUT commands move
whole shapes around on the screen. The PALETTE and
PALETTE USING commands enable rapid changing of
all eight colors simultaneously. And a DRAW command,
as on the IBM PC, uses its own macro language that
enables it to perform the functions of most of the other
graphics commands. The macro language lets you move
any distance in eight directions, plot points and lines,
and set color and scale. By combining several macro
commands into a single string variable, a simple com-
mand like DRAW A$ can perform a complex series of
movements. In addition, one command executes a sub-
string, like a sort of subroutine, so that repeating pat-
terns can be defined individually and then strung
together by a series of commands that executes sub-
strings.

Two commands control the speaker: SOUND and

Text continued on page 318

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Circle 196 on inquiry card. BYTE December 1983 315

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Listing 1: The standard BYTE benchmarks used in this review.

LISTING 1A

60 A=2. 71828

80 B=3. 14159

100 FOR 1=1 TO 5000

320 NEXT I

LISTING IB

60 A=2. 71828

80 B=3. 14159

100 FOR 1=1 TO 5000

120 C=A/B

320 NEXT I

LISTING 1C

60 A=2. 71828

80 B=3. 14159

100 FOR 1=1 TO 5000

120 G0SUB 1000

320 NEXT I

340 END

1000 RETURN

LISTING ID

80 A$="abcdefghi jklm"
100 FOR 1=1 TO 5000
120 B$=MID$(A$,6,6)
320 NEXT I

LISTING IE

10 SIZE=7000

20 DIM FLAGS(7001)

30 PRINT"only 1 iteration"

40 C0UNT=0

50 FOR 1=1 TO SIZE

60 FLAGS(I)=1

70 NEXT I

80 FOR 1=0 TO SIZE

90 IF FLAGS(I)=0 THEN 170

100 PRIME=I+I+3

110 K=I+PRIME

120 IF KSIZE THEN 160

130 FLAGS(K)=0

140 K=K+PRIME

150 GOTO 120

160 C0UNT=C0UNT+1

170 NEXT I

180 PRINT COUNT,"

primes

LISTING IF

CLEAR 1000

A$=" 12345678123456781234567812345678"

B$=A$+A$+A$+A$

"TEST"
AS Z$

10

40

60

80 NR=500

100 OPEN "R", #1 ,

120 FIELD #1, 128

140 FOR 1=1 TO NR

160 LSET Z$=B$

180 PUT #1, I

200 NEXT I

220 CLOSE #1

240 PRINT "DONE"

Listiyig 1 continued on page 318

316 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 121 on inquiry card.

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Listing 1 continued:
LISTING 1G

10 CLEAR 1000

80 NR=500

100 OPEN "R", #1,

120 FIELD #1 , 128

140 FOR I=NR TO 1

160 GET #1, I

200 NEXT I

220 CLOSE #1

240 PRINT "DONE"

Text continued from page 314:

PLAY. SOUND takes a pitch and duration for its argu-
ments and produces a single note. PLAY is to sound
what DRAW is to graphics. With the PLAY command
you can create a string of macro commands and then
execute it. Notes can be normal (% of the note time), stac-
cato (% of the note time), or legato (the whole note time),
so that one note blends into the next. Octave and tempo
can be changed, and pauses can be inserted. As with
the DRAW command, a macro command is provided
that will execute a substring. Here the notion of a sub-
string is more apropos, being analogous to a repeating
musical phrase.

The PLAY command provides another interesting
macro command. The notes produced by the other
macro commands can play in either foreground or back-
ground mode. When notes play in foreground mode,
program execution pauses until all notes have been
played. In background mode, however, the contents of
the PLAY command are placed in a buffer and the notes
play while the rest of the program continues. This com-
mand also affects the SOUND command. With a com-
mand like SOUND 1000,10 in a program, all activity
ceases until that long note stops if you are in foreground
mode. But background mode lets the program continue
while the note plays at the same time. Combining
graphics with background-mode music produces some
remarkable results. Alas, it's still impossible to reproduce
that total effect in a magazine.

TI's BASIC versus IBM's

Compatibility always looms as an issue with BASIC,
especially when you have two versions of the same
BASIC. TI's BASIC was, in fact, adapted from IBM's.
How compatible are the two BASICS? In a word, very.

The new BASIC 1.2 manual contains one section that
points out the differences between TI's BASIC and IBM's
(and, of course, how TI's is better). Using this informa-
tion, it would not be too difficult a task to convert any
IBM BASIC program to TI BASIC and vice versa.

The major differences occur in commands affecting the
display; differences in the hardware of the two machines
become evident after looking at the commands. The IBM
PC has a text mode and two graphics modes (medium
and high), and the TI Professional Computer has a
mixed text and high-resolution graphics mode only. And
so TI's BASIC has no need for the SCREEN statement
(the SCREEN command is the same). The structure of
the COLOR command differs for the same reason; the

318 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 316 on inquiry card.

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TI has only one mode and only eight colors. The IBM
and the TI PSET and PRESET statements are identical
except that the higher resolution on the TI requires the
parameter range to differ. TI BASIC also has a PSET STEP
variation that defines the coordinates as an offset from
the previous PSET statement instead of in absolute
terms. TI's CLS (clear screen) function allows you to clear
text only, graphics only, or both. IBM's and TI's POINT,
LINE, CIRCLE, GET, PUT, PAINT, and DRAW functions
are all identical except, again, for the parameter ranges.
TI's BASIC also includes PALETTE and PALETTE USING
statements but not the STICK function.

TI's BASIC version 1.2 and the new manual should be
available by the time you read this article.

Communications

Along with the internal 300/1200-bps modem, the
review unit came with a software package called TTY
Communications. This sophisticated package features
programmable function keys, lets you send and receive
data at speeds up to 9600 bps manually or remotely, at-
tended or unattended, and provides automatic dialing
and answering of the modem. The package works with
the internal modem, an external modem connected to
the synchronous/asynchronous board, or a direct com-
puter-to-computer link through the synchronous/asyn-
chronous board. I found it fairly easy to use once I got
past the documentation.

You begin by setting up the communications param-
eters for a particular communications link. These param-
eters are stored in a file to be called in as needed. Usually,
you maintain a separate parameter file for each type of
communications link. For instance, I created one param-
eter file for calls to The Source, another for remote send-
ing and receiving of files from my office computer, and
another that enabled me to automatically upload this text
from the Model 100 into the Professional Computer.

The first of five parameter menus lets you set the port
assignment, data rate, stop bits, parity, tone or pulse dial-
ing, automatic or manual dialing, and a phone number.

The second menu enables you to define an answerback
message (ABM). An answerback message is a string of
characters sent to a remote computer to help identify
who you are. You can designate that this message (if any)
be sent either when answering a call or originating a call
or both. You can even secure the ABM so that it won't
be displayed on the local console.

Next, you can define what the TI computer will send
as a new-line character (or characters) and what it will
interpret as a new-line character in the incoming data
stream. This can get confusing until you realize that, in-
ternally, the Professional Computer uses a carriage
return/linefeed pair as a new-line sequence. If you define
the incoming new-line sequence as a carriage return/line-
feed, you'll wind up with double-spaced text on screen
because the TI computer executes the incoming new-line
sequence before its own. Instead, you need to define the
incoming new-line sequence as only a carriage return
and filter out all incoming linefeeds. It took me a while

to figure out why everything was double-spaced when
connected to The Source.

You can specify whether the computer responds to
remote commands and performs handshaking, such as
XON/XOFF. And you can disable the keyboard so that
a cat's march across the unattended keyboard will not
have serious effects. Finally, for this menu at least, you
can designate two batch files: one is executed upon a
normal disconnect, the other is executed upon an ab-
normal disconnect.

The third menu lets you define the method of hand-
shaking (XON/XOFF, reverse channel, or none), a max-
imum inactivity time before hanging up, an error limit,
the method of disconnection (an EOT (end of transmis-
sion) character or an EOT-DLE (data-link enable) char-
acter pair), and whether transmitted data, received data,
or both should be displayed on the local console.

The fourth menu defines the 12 programmable func-
tion keys. Each key may contain up to 32 characters, in-
cluding control characters. A carriage return, for exam-
ple, is depicted as < CR > and counts as four characters.

The fifth and final menu enables automatic replace-
ment of any character transmitted or received with an-
other character or no character. Only single characters
can be searched for and only a single character can be
used as a replacement. This is the menu I used to filter
out the code for linefeeds (i.e., replace them with
nothing).

All of the menus are extremely easy to use. Good use
has been made of color and highlighting, and most pa-
rameters can be changed by using only the cursor keys.
Once you understand the parameters, it shouldn't take
more than a couple of minutes to configure a new pa-
rameter file. Table 5 summarizes all the parameters, their
range of values, and their default values.

After the parameters have been established, the opera-
tion of the program is straightforward. When I want to
call The Source, I enter the command COMTTY
SOURCE.PRM from the MS-DOS prompt. This loads
the communications software and the parameter file,
which then waits for a dial tone, dials the phone accord-
ing to the number in the file, waits for a carrier, connects,
and drops me into terminal mode. While this is going
on, the program keeps me informed of its activities on
a status screen that disappears as soon as a valid carrier
is detected. I can then log in and enter my password by
pressing Shift-Fl, Shift-F2, as these two function keys
were programmed into the parameter file.

Auto-dialing can be used with both TI's own internal
modem and with the Hayes Smartmodem.

While in terminal mode, a key label line displays your
options. Function keys control everything in this pro-
gram, and in this case I must admit that they make life
easy. In terminal mode you can also perform a number
of file-related activities. Of course, you can upload and
download files and view the directory (interestingly, this
command asks "which directory?"), view the contents
of files, rename files, delete files, print files, and create
an empty file. At every point along the way, pressing

320 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Look, Ma, no hands!

If you don't type, you've prob-
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Your voice can set you free.
With the Voice Input Module
from VMC, you can "train" your
Apple II, lie® or Franklin® to per-
form as many as 80 different
spoken commands, in unlim-
ited subsets, with near-perfect
recognition.

So where you used to type
"/P return — "A CO return N39
return" you can just say "print."
Command performance.
The Voice Input Module works
parallel to the keyboard with all
existing applications software.
So you can type if you need to,
or do anything from electronic
spread sheets to word pro-
cessing to games with voice
control alone. Either way, you'll

increase your productivity and
have fun doing it.

Demand a demonstration.

You won't believe it until you
see it. So see the Voice Input
Module at your nearby com-
puter store today

And find out how little you'll
miss typing.

Apple II and He are registered trademarks of Apple Computer,
Inc. ■ Franklin is a registered trademark of Franklin
Computer, Inc.

\/ll\Ai

YOUR VOICE CAN SET YOU FREE.

VOICE MACHINE COMMUNICATIONS

rap

See us at Comdex booth 4544.

1000 South Grand Avenue ■ Santa Ana, California 92705 ■ Telephone (714) 541-0454 for the dealer nearest you.
Circle 448 on inquiry card. byte December 1983 321

Parameters

Range

Default

Port

1,2,3

1

Speed

110, 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, auto

300

Stop bits

1,2

1

Parity

odd, even, mark, space, None

even

Check parity

on, off

off

Display of transmitted data

on, off

off

Display of received data

on, off

on

Busy handling

DC1-DC3* reverse channel, None

None

Busy sense

0,1

0

ABM**

0-32 character string

none

Call answer ABM

on, off

off

Call origination ABM

on, off

off

Secured ABM

on, off

off

Keyboard

on, off

on

Dialing mode

pulse, tone

tone

Dialing procedure

manual, automatic

automatic

Error limit

0-999 errors

0

Programmable keys

0-32 character string

none

Mapped characters

characters mapped

none

Transmit new line

0-10 character string

return, linefeed

Receive new line

0-2 character string

return, linefeed

Phone number

0-32 digits and separators

none

Normal disconnect batch file

(filename)

none

Abnormal disconnect batch file

(filename)

none

Inactivity time-out

0-999

0

Failsafe disconnects

on, off

on

DLE-EOT disconnect***

on, off

off

EOT disconnect

on, off

off

Print completions

on, off

off

Remote commands

on, off

on

Remote device control

on, off

on

* DC1 is the Control-Q or

XOFF character; DC3

is the Control-S or XON character.

** ABM is the answer-back

message.

*** DLE is the ASCII "data-link escape"

character;

EOT is the ASCII "end-of-transmission" character.

Table 5: TI's TTY Communications package allows the user to control a broad range of communications parameters.

Note that the Busy-

handling parameter's default is

"None,"

while those parameters with no default are indicated

by "none."

Fl brings up a Help screen.

The remote-command capability deserves some men-
tion. By enabling the remote-commands parameter, a
remote computer can control the sending and receiving
of files, as well as creating, renaming, and deleting files.
The remote computer simply sends an escape character
followed immediately by a 0 and a series of commands.
For example, the following command line from a remote
computer sets up the TI Professional Computer to re-
ceive a file named TEST. DOC:

<ESC>

0REC FIL= TEST. DOC <NL>

in which <NL> is the recognized received new-line
character sequence. Although only the first three letters
of a command are necessary, you must specify the full
filename.

From a personal-computer user's point of view, the TI
Professional still lacks a few things. When you upload

files from this computer, your only protocol option is
XON/XOFF. No provision exists for character echo or
line-at-a-time transmission. Also, the system doesn't pro-
vide for any kind of block transmission with error check-
ing and retransmission upon detection (a la Ward Chris-
tiansen). This wouldn't be so bad if you could exit from
this program and call up MODEM7, but an exit causes
the modem to disconnect.

The remote access of the TI computer is somewhat dis-
concerting because the operation is performed totally
blind. There is no echo of the commands you enter, and,
believe it or not, you cannot call up the Professional
Computer's directory from a remote computer. There-
fore, you must know the exact name of the file you wish
to download.

One major question— how can a company produce
such a beautiful piece of communications software and
then render it practically useless with such an awful
manual? I worked extensively with this program, includ-

322 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Do You Run Your Business
or Does It Run You?

The biggest headache you may be facing
these days is getting better control of
your business. Tracking unpaid bills,
sending out second billings, monitoring
which salesman sold how much and to
whom, keeping track of inventories,
and on and on.

There's a remedy. It's
called VersaForm ... the
business database.

VersaForm is a powerful
database designed
specifically for busi-
ness, but based on the
simplicity and
convenience of your
familiar business
forms.

If you can fill out
a business form,
you can create
a database.

VersaForm starts with
your existing forms
and procedures. As
you copy your forms
onto the screen, Versa-
Form automatically

creates a database for you. It records and
saves information from Purchase Orders,
Invoices, Job Estimates, Disbursement
Ledgers . . . maybe even a few things
you're not recording that you should be.

VersaForm is an electronic file cabinet
that will store all this information, yet
have it at your fingertips when you need
it! It's designed with a non-technical
user in mind, so you can concentrate on
streamlining your business with none
of the usual database headaches.

Adapts to your business . . .your way.

With VersaForm you don't have to
completely re-orient your staff. It fits
right into the way you're doing business
now. Only now your operations will be
completed more efficiently and with
electronic speed.

• A doctor in Moulton, Texas, posts
his patient billing and completes his
medical insurance forms with
VersaForm.

' A small college in Wheaton, Mary-
land, uses VersaForm to create tuition
invoices, class lists, accounts

receivable, and accounts payable.
' A computer supplies company in
Mountain View, California, writes
payables checks and does expense
distribution with
VersaForm.

■ A roofing company in Green Bay,
Wisconsin, computes job estimates,
contracts, invoicing, and tracks actual
costs with VersaForm.

1 A manufacturer in Beaver Falls,
Pennsylvania, uses VersaForm to build
his company's parts records, and
generates "where-used" lists.

VersaForm has the power to do these
jobs and more because it's designed
especially for business. It can also
calculate taxes and prices, and can
look up discounts, so you don't
have to. VersaForm will even
print on your own pre-printed
forms.

Pull information
together fast.

Pulling information
together from paper
files can be time-
consuming and
frustrating. Why make
it tough? VersaForm
puts vital reports like
sales analyses, over-
due payables, open
purchase orders, and
alphabetical employee
lists at your finger-
tips. Minimum effort,
maximum results.

All in one
easy-to-use,
integrated package.

VersaForm provides a screen
formatter, a data entry program, a data-
base, a report generator and a forms
printer. And you can purchase prede-
signed Templates for standard jobs like
Purchasing, Invoicing, and Expense
Journals. VersaForm is the all-in-one
business productivity tool. Ask for a
demonstration at your computer dealer.
Or contact us directly.

If you want to know more, send in this
coupon. We've got a lot to tell you about.

Name

Company
Address

City

State

Zip

Type of Business

Mail to: Applied Software Technology
170 Knowles Drive
Los Gatos. California 95030
(408) 370-2662

For use with the Apple II, He and III, and the IBM PC and compatibles.

Circle 30 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

323

EXPOTEK

2723 W. Windrose
Phoenix, Arizona 85029

1-800-528-8960

Guaranteed Low Prices

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W/15MB $4310

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803 $1769

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VIEWPOINT A1 $485

VIEWPOINT A2 $550

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ESPRIT I $498

ESPRIT II $540

TELEVIDEO

910 $555

925 $699

950 $865

970 $975

FOR APPLE

MICRO SCI A2 $235

RANA ELITE I $249

RANA ELITE III $540

FOR ATARI

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VIDEX 80 COLUMN . . . $199

VIEWMAX 80 $175

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DYSAN SS/SD .... $33.00 BX

(100 MIN. ON DISKS)

ALL PRICES SUJBECT TO CHANGE
CUSTOMER SERVICE (602) 863-0759

ing several remote operations, and I'm still not sure how
to use it to its fullest capacity. The section on remote com-
mands is practically useless. Essentially it merely pre-
sents the commands; you must figure out how they're
used. And the descriptions of some of the communica-
tions parameters are sparse, too.

Conclusions

After using the TI Professional Computer extensively
for about five weeks, I have little doubt that it is superior
to the IBM PC, both physically and electronically. The
case is made of a heavier-gauge metal, the cover of the
system unit detaches much more easily, the keyboard
is of better quality and design, the display has a higher
resolution, and thought has been given to preserving
expansion slots for real peripherals. The system
upgrades from a single floppy-disk drive to a 10-mega-
byte Winchester, and support is provided for high-
density (96 tracks per inch) drives. You can increase
memory from 64 to 748K bytes. The capability to pro-
duce color text is standard; with the optional graphics
board, you can mix text and graphics on the same dis-
play. The interrupt structure is flexible, and the manu-
facturer supports the 8087 coprocessor option. Most of
the major software packages have been adapted to run
on this machine, including Lotus Development Corpo-
ration's 1-2-3 (which performs superbly on the Tl because
of its higher resolution and combined text and graphics).

But this machine is not for a novice; most of the
manuals don't contain hand-holding tutorials. In some,
you'll be lucky to find what you need. A helpful dealer
who gets you started with this machine is vital. And
remember, third-party hardware support is not nearly
as robust as it is for the IBM PC. Tecmar Inc. (23600 Mer-
cantile Rd., Cleveland, OH 44122), however, claims that
it will offer Tl-compatible versions of its IBM PC boards.

So what does this mean for the purchaser of a TI Pro-
fessional Computer? For now, you'll get most of your
peripherals from TI, and you're limited to what they
offer. However, TI plans to introduce the much-discussed
voice system, a combination speech-digitizing, store, and
forward system capable of serving as a kind of high-class
phone-answering machine that will also be capable of
speech recognition. A 512K-byte memory board that will
increase the total system RAM to 768K bytes is due by
year end. An analog/clock card has been designed and
documented in the technical manual, but no release date
is available. This card will support two joysticks, four
paddles, switches, and a light pen, in addition to a
clock/calendar.

With a lot of hard work and a little luck, TI has a
chance to capture a significant portion of the high-end
personal-computer market. Although its computer may
appear to be just another IBM clone, a closer look reveals
a machine that is superior in many ways. It definitely
invites a closer look.H

Mark Haas is technical director at Osborne/McGraw-Hill (2600
Tenth St., Berkeley, CA 94710).

324 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 183 on inquiry card.

computers
wholesale

315 472 3055

Box 150 Brewerton, N.Y. 13029

Circle 115 on inquiry card.

-TERMINALS-

ESPRIT

. $489

Esprit II

. . 499

Esprit III

...715

Esprit III (Color)

LEAR SEIGLER

AOM3A

Call
.. 529

ADM II

. .539

ADM 22

. .589

ADM 36

. . . 979

QUME

102

. . 555

102AI Amber)

108

569
.. 715

108A (Amber)

TELEVIDEO

910

729
.. 439

914

.. 579

924

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950

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970

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WYSE

50

Call

300 (Color)

. . Call

ZENITH

2-29

..649

ZT-10

.. 399

ZT11

. . 459

-MODEMS-
HAYES

Micro Modem 100

Micro Modem II

Smartmodem 300

Smartmodem 1200

Smartmodem 1200B

NOVATION

D Cat

269
239
199
498
Call

. . 149

J-Cat

. . 105

Apple Cut II

. . 259

103 Smart Cat

103/212 Smart Cat

212 Auto Cat

SIGNALMAN

Mkl $79 MkVII..

Mklll 99 Mkll...

MkV 89 MkVI...

NEW! Volksmodam

U.S. ROBODICS

Auto Dial 212A

179
419
549

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79

Call

Call

339
339

Advertised prices reflect a cash discount on
prepaid orders only Most items are in stock
for immediate delivery in factory sealed cart
ons with full factory warrantees.

-SYSTEMS-
ALTOS

ACS 8000 10 $5889

ACS 8000-12 6995

ACS 8000 14 8789

Series 5-5D 3990

Series 5-15D 2199

580 10 3995

586 10 5995

586-40 8795

MTU-4 2396

Altos II Terminal 849

COLUMBIA

VP Portable Call

MPC Call

MPC w/Hard Disk Call

CROMEMCO

C 10 Super Pak ... 1429

C10MP vW MicroPro software 1819

CS-1 3195

CS-2 3755

CS-3 5595

64 FDC 475

TUART 255

EAGLE (Eagle cannot be shipped UPS)

HE Series

II E 1 II E 2

II E-3 II E -4

PCSeriM
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PC2 PCXL

1600 Series

1620 1630

—Call us today for the best prices—

INTERTEC

Superbrain II JR 1869

Superbrain II QD 2309

Superbrain USD 2609

Compustar Call

MORROW

Micro Decision

MD-2 w/2 drives & software . . . 929

MD 3 w/DS drives t> software 1199
MD 11 w/HD & software 1949

NEC

PC 8801 A Computer Call

PC 8831 A Dual 5% "disk drive. . Call
NORTHSTAR

Advantage 2Q Call

Advantage 1QHD6 Call

Horizon 2Q 64K 2399

HD 18 Mb. hard disk 3879

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TELEVIDEO

TS-803 1989

Portable Call

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ZF 100-21 2319

ZF 120-22 2869

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ANADEX

DP 9501 $1099

DP 9620 1199

DP 9625 1299

DP 6500 2399

WP6000 2159

CENTRONICS

730 1 Parallel 200

739 3 Serial 469

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80 FT parallel 259

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Prowriter 8510A Par 369

Prowriter 8510A Ser 569

Prowriter II Par 669

Prowriter II Ser 739

DIABLO

620RO25CPS 919

630 RO 40 CPS 1769

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FX 80 Call

FX-100 Call

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435

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MT 160 I 529

MT 160 L 599

MT 180 L 859

NEC

3510 $1445 3530 $1490

3550 1845 7710 1949

7715 1949 8023 399

NEW NEC 2000 Call

OKIDATA

ML-82A 379

ML83A 579

ML-92 Par 449

ML-92 Ser 529

ML 93 Par. 749

Pacemark 2350 Call

Pacemark 2410 Call

QUME

Sprint 11/40 1299

Sprint 11/55 1499

SILVER REED

EXP 500 Par 459

EXP 550 Par 659

EXP 550 Ser 689

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

Tl 810 Basic 1199

Tl 810 Package 1549

Tl 810 LQ 1919

Tl 820 Basic 1549

NEW Tl 850 Call

-MONITORS-

AMDEK

Color I $275

Color I + 319

Color II IRGBI 399

Color III (RGB) 349

300 G (12"green) 135

300 A (12"amber) 145

310 A (IBM PC) 169

BMC

15 MHZ (12"green) 79

NEC

JB 1260 (12" amber) 109

JB-1201 (12" green) 135

JC-1212 (12"color) 339

JC-1203(12"RGBI 549

ZENITH

Z-122(12"green) 109

Z-123(12"amber) 139

Z-131 (13"color + gr.) 299

Z-135IRGB) 519

-HARD DISKS-

CORVUS

Model 6 1869

Model 11 2549

Model 20 3399

Omninet 6 1695

Omninet 11 2375

Omninet 20 3225

Miror Back-up 670

KONAN

SPECIAL! 5Mb. for S 100 1429

3M/ Scotch
51/4". ..$21.95

(Single Sided. Double Density)

5V*". . . $30.95

(Double Sided, Double Density)

Call us for the lowest

prices on other

popular diskettes!

If you can't find what you
need listed here, just call for
the best prices on the items
you require.

N.Y. residents, add appropriate sales tax.
We accept VISA and Master Card. Personal
and company checks, allow2weeks to clear.
C.O.D.'s require a 25% deposit. All prices
and offers may be withdrawn without notice .

We think you're calculating enough to

And we've devised a little test to prove it. All you
have to do is compare our PC-8200's specs with the
specs for Radio Shack's Model 100 or the HP-75.
For someone who's savvy enough about computers
to read this magazine, you shouldn't have any trouble
picking the best one. So here goes:

NEC

Radio
Shack

Hewlett-
Packard

Price

$799*

$799

$995

RAM/ROM

16K/32K

8K/32K

16K/48K

RAM Expandability To 96K To 32K To 24K
(Internal/External) (64K/32K) (32K/none) (24K/none)

Free bundled
software

Yes

No

No

Function keys

10

8

0

RAM cartridges

Yes

No

No

Bar Code
Reader, RS232,
Parallel Port,
Cassette Port

Yes

Yes

Not
Standard

Floppy Disk and
SIO Port,
Cursor Cluster

Yes

No

Not
Standard

•Includes perpetual clock calendar. NiCad battery pack, AC adapter charger optional.
The PC-8200 is a battery-operated CMOS-based system.

It all boils down to more power and better features
for the same price. And, of course, more software
—14 FREE programs to start, including linear
forecasting and word processing.

The PC-8200 portable from NEC. We think
you should be impressed. If you're not, maybe
you picked up the wrong magazine.

Productivity at your fingertips

NEC

NEC Home Electronics (U.S.A), Inc.
Personal Computer Division

1401 Estes Avenue

Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

NEC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan

Circle 310 on inquiry card.

get more computer for your money.

u

4

<FJ?jf *

5St Synetix Inc.

&£jk

Revolutionary

Sprite Graphics

for Apple™ Computers

3 exciting ways to enter a new galaxy of action
and adventure

SPRITE I™

Fast action animation. Smooth and flicker-free. Software included easily
lets you create and move sprites and lets you paint colorful backgrounds.
Enjoy unique multi-plane action where sprites move freely under and
over each other. Sprite I plugs easily into any slot of your Apple computer
to give you the excitement and quality of arcade graphics. $149.

SPRITE II™

Add the dramatic dimension of realistic sound effects to all the action in
Sprite I. Sound you can easily program yourself. Sound synchronized to
the action on the screen. The Sprite II includes a sound generator that
lets you create almost any imaginable effect— gunshots, explosions,
music, the roar of an engine. $249.

SUPERSPRITE

The ultimate sprite package. Actual speech, thanks to the amazing
ECHO II™ speech synthesizer. The ability to simultaneously join sprite
graphics and Apple programs together on the screen. The STARSPRITE I™
diskette featuring the new Ampersprite language for creating and moving
sprites, painting background scenes and programming sound effects.
Yes, SuperSprite has it all. Sprites, sound, speech, software. $395.

Call 800-426-7412 for your nearest dealer.

Circle 412 on inquiry card.

10635 N.E. 38th Place
Kirkland, WA 98033
(206) 828-4884

1M Apple is a registered trademark ol Apple Computer, Inc
'^SuperSprite is a registered trademark of Synetix. Inc., 1983

; '-'Si.'ir sprue I is a registered trademark of Avant-Garde Creations, Inc.
'^Echo II is a registered trademark ol Street Electronics Corp.

Hardware Review

The ATR8000

This Z80 computer/peripheral enables Atari users to run

CP/M-based programs

by Dave Small and Sandy Small

Capable of serving as an intelligent peripheral or as

a stand-alone computer, the ATR8000 should prove to
be of interest to Atari users because it enables them to
access CP/M-based applications programs. It should also
prove of interest to anyone looking for a machine that
can run CP/M-80, CP/M-86, or MS-DOS.

The ATR8000, manufactured by SWP (formerly Soft-
ware Publishers Inc.), owes its potentially wide appeal
to its availability in four configurations. The lowest-
priced version ($350) employs 16K bytes of RAM (ran-
dom-access read/write memory), 4K bytes of ROM (read-
only memory), and a Z80 processor. Intended to serve
as an Atari peripheral, this model can readily interface
Atari computers with a host of additional peripherals,
including standard-bus disk drives and devices with
Centronics parallel or RS-232C serial ports. When used
to interface a printer to an Atari, the ATR8000 allocates
a 12K-byte buffer for printer-spooling operation,
(la)

The intermediate and two top-of-the-line configura-
tions can serve as stand-alone computers. The stand-
alone versions can interface with standard terminals
such as those offered by Televideo Inc. or use an Atari
computer as a terminal.

The intermediate configuration ($550) includes a Z80
processor and 64K bytes of RAM, which makes it capable
of running the CP/M 2.2 operating system configured
for 60K bytes of RAM. When used as an Atari peripheral,
this configuration's 64K-byte RAM can be used as an ad-
ditional printer-spooler buffer area.

Each of the two top-of-the-line models ($800 or $1050
added to the $550 price of the intermediate version) in-
corporates an 8088 16-bit processor and either 128K or
256K bytes of RAM in addition to the Z80 and 64K bytes
of RAM; these configurations can run the MS-DOS and
CP/M-86 operating systems, enabling the ATR8000 to
handle software available for the IBM Personal Com-
(lb)

Photo 1: Front (a) and rear (b) views of the ATR8000. The rear connections shoivn in photo lb are, from left to right, an RS-232C serial
I/O port, a 34-pin floppy-disk connector, a 34-pin parallel printer port, and Atari serial I/O daisy-chain-out and -in connectors. A Reset
button is located to the right of the daisy-chain connectors; the power connector is located directly below them.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

329

puter. In these 8088-based configurations, the 128K or
256K bytes of RAM associated with the 8088 processor
can serve as a disk emulator that can be accessed by the
Z80 processor, resulting in extremely fast disk-type I/O
(input/output).

The Atari Peripheral Configuration

As an Atari peripheral, the ATR8000 plugs into the
serial bus that the Atari uses to communicate with I/O
devices. The ATR8000 is thus daisy-chained onto this
serial bus, as are all Atari peripherals. This Atari serial
bus uses a nonstandard 19.2K-bits per second commu-
nications protocol. All Atari devices that use this serial
bus require some sort of processor to decode or encode
data out of or into this data format. For instance, Atari
uses a 6507 microprocessor to perform this task in its
disk drives and Model 850 interface.

Unfortunately, this added encoding/decoding-hard-
ware requirement increases the cost of Atari peripherals.
Elirninating this requirement, the ATR8000 interfaces the
Atari serial bus to a number of standard peripherals. (The
term "standard" here means the de facto pin-out stan-
dards that the peripheral industry has more or less
adopted in the interest of compatibility.) Among the bet-
ter known "standards" are the 25-pin RS-232C serial bus,
the 36-pin Centronics-type parallel bus, and the 34-pin
(5V4-inch) or 50-pin (8-inch) disk bus.

The first, most important peripheral is a disk drive.
Up to four single- or double-sided, 8- or 5V4-inch, single-
or double-density drives can be plugged into the
ATR8000. Moreover, the ATR8000 permits several track
formats. The range of possibilities is nearly endless,
given today's drive market; the ATR8000 can use almost
any drive that has the standard 34-pin bus connection
used by Tandon, Shugart, MPI, and others. An adapter,
available from SWP for $19.95, interfaces the ATR8000 to
units employing the 50-pin standard 8-inch drive con-
nector used by Shugart, Siemens, and Qume.

The disk-interfacing capability alone makes the
ATR8000 a good buy from the Atari owner's point of
view; until now, standard disk drives, lacking the
capability to decode the signals on the Atari serial bus,
could not be connected to the Atari. Until recently, the
only Atari-compatible drives available have been the
Atari 810, a single-density unit, and a few similar drives.
Because of the hardware needed for the Atari's bus, the
810 lists for $599, which is quite steep for a 5V4-inch
single-sided single-density drive.

The 810 also suffers from design and reliability prob-
lems. The first problem involves use of a serial bus to
transfer data. Although the bus runs at 19,200 bits per
second, the handshaking slows the effective data-transfer
rate considerably. The serial bus is extremely quiet ac-
cording to radio-frequency interference standards, but
the data-transfer rate is four to eight times slower than
that of other systems. There are also rpm-regulation and
data-separation problems that reduce the 810's capabili-
ty to read disks accurately.

Finally, the 810 is a single-density disk drive. As Atari
and Osborne owners have discovered, the 90K-byte
capacity of such drives doesn't allow much data storage,
especially when compared to other double-density
double-sided, 80-track drives that offer 160K to 500K
bytes of storage.

A few manufacturers are marketing replacements for
the 810. Other manufacturers offer disk-drive
mechanisms and cases with much better reliability than
the 810's mechanism. A 5V4-inch Tandon TM-100 drive
with case and power supply sells for $200 to $250. Our
experience indicates this is a very reliable drive; for in-
stance, speed is regulated within 1 percent, a far cry from
the 10 percent drift found in many Atari drives. But these
"raw" drive mechanisms lack the circuitry to connect to
the Atari serial bus. With the ATR8000, however, these
standard drives can be driven from the Atari.

The ATR8000 offers many features in addition to disk-
drive interfacing. First, it provides a Centronics parallel
and an RS-232C serial port. Until now, Atari owners
needing to interface to a parallel or serial device required
an Atari 850 interface, which connects the Atari serial
bus to these devices. The 850 retails for $219.

Second, the ATR8000 printer port is buffered, which
enables the Atari to dump data as fast as it can and go
on to other things while the ATR8000 handles the print-
ing operations. A typical 16K-byte buffer retails for $149.

Third, the ATR8000 handles double-density disk
storage of 180K bytes (assuming a single-sided 40-track
drive), a significant increase over the 810's 90K bytes. Per-
com's dual-density disk drive for the Atari retails for $699
(single-drive unit), or $100 more than the Atari drive.
Thus, for $575 ($350 for the ATR8000 and $225 for a
TM-100 disk drive with case) you're getting performance
that would otherwise cost $1067— $699 for a Percom dual-
density drive, $149 for a 16K-byte buffer, and $219 for a
Model 850 interface.

The ATR8000 readily accommodates increases in disk-
storage capacity. To upgrade to a two-drive system, for
example, only a $225 drive mechanism need be added
to the ATR8000. For an Atari drive, a whole new drive
plus a controller board must be added— a $699 cost.

A New Operating System

One problem that arises when using the ATR8000 as
an Atari peripheral is that the Atari's disk operating
system (DOS) is not configured to handle more than 720
sectors per disk, although it can handle single- or
double-density sectors (128/256-byte sector sizes). Con-
sequently, a new operating system is needed to handle
8-inch or other high-capacity disks. SWP offers MYDOS,
an operating system capable of handling these large-
capacity drives. It should be noted that copy-protected
Atari software and any software with a custom DOS will
not take advantage of the added space of higher-capacity
drives that the ATR8000 can use. But for applications that
use a new DOS, the ATR8000 and MYDOS offer a help-
ful tool.

330 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

NEVADA

BASIC

each!

A POWERFUL INTERPRETER FOR CP/M!

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o

ELLIS COMPUTING

Also available:

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NEVADA PILOT™ $29.95

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COBOL APPLICATIONS

PACKAGE

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MAIL TODAY! TO: Ellis Computing, Inc.

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(415)753-0186
The CP/M® Operating System, a 8080/8085/ Z80 microprocessor,
and 32K RAM are required.
Software Packages:

□ COBOL D FORTRAN □ PILOT D EDIT □ BASIC
Diskette Format: 8" □ SSSD (Standard IBM 3740 format)
51/4"D Apple CP/M DXerox820SD DOsborneSD

□ Televideo □ Micropolis Mod II
D North Star DD □ North Star SD

□ TRS-80 Mod I with CP/M @ 4200 hex □ TRS-80 Mod I/Mapper

□ Heath Hard (Z-89) D Heath Soft (Z-90)

□ Superbrain DD DOS 3.X (512 Byte sectors)

□ KayproDD □ DECVT-180 D Epson QX-10

□ NEC PC 8001 □ Sanyo D Access

Shipping/Handling Fees: Add $4.00 for the first package and $2.00 each additional
package. OVERSEAS add $15,00 for first package and $5.00 each additional package.
Checks must be In U.S. funds and drawn on a U.S. bank!

Send my order for _

. packages @ $29.95 each Total .

COBOL Applications package @ $9.95 each Total .

InCAadd sales tax.
D Check enclosed Shipping/handling.

D MasterCard □ Visa Total .

# Exp. Date

Signature

Ship to:
Name

Street

City/State/Zip

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research. Inc TRS-80 is a registered trademark ot Tandy Corp Apple II is a trademark ol Apple Computer, Inc Osborne is a registered trademark
of Osborne Computer Corp Xerox 820 is a trademark of Xerox Corp Kaypro is a trademark of Non- linear Sys Heath/Zenith isatrademarkot Heath Corp IBM is a trademark ol International
Business Machines, Corp Nevada COBOL, Nevada FORTRAN. Nevada PILOT Nevata EDIT and Ellis Computing are trademarks ol Ellis Computing, Inc © 1983 Ellis Computing. Inc

Circle 174 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

331

How a

In vi n an

and a

broken

leg

made

software

simple.

^W^ hat does a fireman know
about designing software?
Nothing. Usually.

Meet Dennis Jarvis, a firefighter from
Southern California. About five years ago he
broke his leg in a fire-related accident and was
confined to the house for about six months. To
keep him occupied, Dennis' wife bought him a
computer.

Dennis had never used a computer before.
But he proved to be a natural.

Dennis was soon writing his own programs.
And Basic Accounting from Firefighter was
born.

It was brilliant.

And so simple, you don't have to know
anything about accounting theory to use it.

But don't get the wrong idea. Just because it's
simple, doesn't mean it's not smart, too.

Basic Accounting from Firefighter has so many
more features and capabilities than the best sell-
ing accounting package, there's no room to list
them in this ad. You'll just have to ask your
dealer to show you.

Dennis? He returned to the Fire Department
soon after his leg healed, but remains the
spearhead of Firefighter Software.

In fact, in his never-enciing efforts to make
Firefighter the most personal, most supported
software, Dennis has set up a telephone hotline
to answer your questions and provide consulta-
tion. That's just Dennis' way of insuring
Firefighter remains superior, always simpler yet
smarter.
Hotline: (213) 991-8200

FIREFIGHTER.

SIMPLER, SMARTER SOFTWARE.

mmPRACTICAL
SPERIPHERALS

31245 La Baya Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362

At a Glance

Name

ATR8000

Manufacturer

SWP (formerly Software Publishers Inc.)
2500 E. Randol Mill Rd„ Suite 125
Arlington, TX 26011
(817) 469-1181

Size

ll'/2 by 12'/2 by 2Vi inches; 8 pounds

Features

As an Atari peripheral, the ATR8000 interfaces the Atari serial bus
to devices with RS-232C serial or Centronics parallel ports as well
as to disk drives with standard bus interfaces; this version includes
16K bytes of RAM. As a stand-alone computer, the ATR8000
comes in versions with 64K to 256K bytes of RAM; a Z80-based
version runs CP/M-80; and an 8088-based add-on (Co-Power-88)
enables the ATR8000 to run CP/M-86 and MS-DOS

Hardware required

Interface cabling and connectors, available from SWP or other
distributors

Software required

Atari DOS to use the ATR8000 as a peripheral; CP/M-80, MS-DOS,
or CP/M-86 are provided with ATR8000 configurations that sup-
port those operating systems

Documentation

73 pages

Options

l6K-byte Z80-based version, $349; 64K-byte Z80-based version,
$550; !28K-byte 8088-based add-on, $799.95; 256K-byte
8088-based add-on, $1049.95; both add-ons require the 64K-byte
Z80-based version

Interfaces

The ATR8000 supplies Centronics and RS-232C inter-
faces for the Atari. Both are edge connections and ac-
cept the usual clamp-on ribbon connectors. The parallel
connection runs via a flat ribbon cable to a standard
36-pin Centronics parallel-interface connector. The
RS-232C connector comes out to a 26-pin edge connec-
tor that hooks via a flat ribbon cable to the popular DB-25
connector. The pin connections that have become stan-
dard for RS-232C data transmission are used: 2 and 3
for data, 4 and 5 for handshake, and so forth. If you need
to swap the two pairs of lines, the ATR8000 provides an
internal jumper header that allows you to change them
easily.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that the ATR8000
worked the first time when connected directly to an
Okidata Microline 84 (a parallel printer) and a Hayes
Smartmodem (a serial device). The total interfacing took
only 10 minutes, which were spent clamping connectors
onto ribbon cable.

In its smallest configuration, the ATR8000 ranks as a
"best buy" for Atari owners who want to expand their
systems with disk drives, parallel printers, and serial
RS-232C devices.

332 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 500 on Inquiry card.

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Unix is a trademark of Bell Laboratories.

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UniCalc is a trademark of Lattice, Inc.

The CP/M Configuration

The ATR8000 configured as a stand-alone computer
uses the Atari as a terminal. If you do not own an Atari,
any RS-232C device capable of running at 9600 bits per
second will suffice. We used a Lear Siegler Inc. ADM
3A terminal for some time. You must move three jumpers
in the ATR8000 depending on whether an Atari or an
RS-232C terminal is used.

This configuration of the ATR8000 comes equipped
with 64K bytes of RAM, 60K bytes of which are available
as system RAM. A 4K-byte section is mapped into a 2732
EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory)
containing the Atari disk-emulation code and a monitor,
used to boot up CP/M. CP/M 2.2 from Digital Research
is supplied on either a 5V4- or an 8-inch disk.

The hardware difference between this ATR8000, a full
CP/M machine, and the 16K-byte version, which is an
Atari-only peripheral device, is in the memory upgrade
(larger dynamic RAMs) and internal jumpers. The cost
of this upgrade to an end user is $200. Now, to a
knowledgeable computer user, paying $200 for upgrad-
ing 4116 RAM chips to 4164s ( x 8) seems a bit out of line.
However, for that price, SWP is supplying not only the
new RAM chips but also a licensed copy of CP/M, all
the CP/M utilities, CP/M manuals (a thick stack), and,
most of all, support.

Of course, if you still want to use your ATR8000 as an
Atari interface, it will work as such in its 64K-byte con-
figuration. The only difference is that 58K bytes, instead
of 12K bytes, are available for print spooling. Unless the
ATR8000 is specifically booted into CP/M, it remains an
Atari peripheral.

In CP/M mode, the Atari serial bus direction is re-
versed, and the ATR8000 becomes a stand-alone com-
puter; the Atari becomes a terminal instead of serving
as the primary computer.

There is, however, a disadvantage to using the Atari
as a terminal. The Atari's video-generator chip has a texf-
window resolution of 40 characters across by 24 charac-
ters high. (This format is consistent with 160 color clocks
on an average TV screen; TVs do not have the bandwidth
needed to run 80 characters across.) Hence, when the
Atari is used as the I/O device for the ATR8000's CP/M,
a 40-column screen is supported.

The system comes with software to make the Atari
emulate an 80-column ADM 3A terminal with a scroll-
ing window. With this technique, 80 characters across
are maintained internally, and 40 of the 80 are shown
on the text screen. The user can manipulate the window
with keys and has the option of having the window
follow the cursor across the screen, a rather dizzying
effect.

If the Atari 800 is equipped with an 80-column video
card, such as the Bit-3 Full-View 80, then true 80-column
CP/M can be used. Interfacing is straightforward. Our
system, for instance, has the Bit-3 board and a PI 3
monitor and functions very well. The Bit-3 board for the
Atari 800 retails for $349.95. A typical monitor capable
of 80-column display costs $150. (For details on the

334 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 442 on inquiry card.

80-column board, contact Bit-3 Computer Corp., 8120
Penn Ave. South, Suite 548, Minneapolis, MN 55431.)
The CP/M system is booted in a two-step process. The
booting process illustrates the operation of the ATR8000
system, so let's go into it in detail.

First, turn the ATR8000 on. Any disk drives connected
to the ATR8000 are restored to track 00, then stepped out
five tracks. (We wondered why this was done until we
found out that some disk drives can get the disk head
caught behind the track 00 sensor. The five outward
steps prevent this problem (an impressive "user helpful"
feature). The drive's index pulses, from the index hole
on the disk, are sensed and timed; if the index pulses
indicate an rpm of 300, the drive is logged as a 5 V* -inch
drive. If the rpm is 360, the drive is logged as an 8-inch
drive. Internal tables are set accordingly (for example,
the single-density format command is told to place 18
sectors on a 5V4-inch track and to put 26 sectors on an
8-inch track; this boot-timing process determines which
format is used).

The step rate of the drives is determined automatical-
ly at boot time, and the drives are run at the fastest rate
at which they can be stepped. Because this rate varies
widely between drives, automatic stepping timing is a
real convenience; it makes the ATR8000 capable of using
a wide range of drives without the user having to worry
about step rates, settling times, and so forth, which vary
so widely across the industry. If you have a drive only
intermittently capable of running at high speed, how-
ever, you can force a slower default stepping speed on
a particular drive by using the DDSYSGEN editor. (We
had a problem with one of our 8-inch drives that has
been around a long time; it could not always step at high
speed, so we slowed down the stepping to the next avail-
able rate.)

Next, the ATR8000 settles down into Atari-emulation
mode, in which it accepts normal Atari commands from
the serial bus and executes them. For example, disk I/O
requests are sent to the proper drive, printer requests
are sent to the printer, and so on.

At this point, the ATR8000 is usable as an Atari disk
drive. Next, let's boot CP/M.

Let's assume you have put the Autoterm-ADM 3A Em-
ulator disk in the ATR8000's drive 1 and started up the
Atari. Acting as an Atari disk drive, the ATR8000 reads
in the emulator and sends the program to the Atari. The
Atari then starts acting as a terminal, "watching" the
serial bus for communications. At this point, the serial
bus is turned around; the ATR8000 is the primary com-
puter and the Atari is the terminal.

The ATR8000 is reset by the user via the back-panel
Reset button, which sends it out of Atari disk-emulation
mode. The ATR8000 displays the message ATRMON,
which indicates that the system is running a small
monitor, in ROM, in the ATR8000.

-At this point, you're just about ready to run CP/M;
remove the Autoterm-ADM 3A Emulator disk and insert
any disk with the CP/M operating system into drive 1
(A). Next, type in B. This command initiates the boot

process from drive 1. In 2 or 3 seconds the familiar 60K
CP/M 2.2 and A> messages appear on the Atari's
screen.

If you are running with a terminal other than the Atari,
the CP/M boot process is a single step; you put the CP/M
system disk into drive 1, switch on the ATR8000, type
in B, and boot directly. The difference is in using the
ATR8000 to load the Atari's terminal program.

What is so impressive is the ease of this whole pro-
cess. The ATR8000 determines drive size, density, sec-
tor size, and so forth, by itself, with no user interven-
tion. You do not need to keep the system on a 5Vt- or
an 8-inch disk, nor do you need to permanently keep
one kind of drive as A. Furthermore, programmers at
SWP have allowed the use of 1024-byte sectors, which
are internally deblocked to eight 128-byte sectors. The
use of 1024-byte sectors is extremely efficient; in a
1024-byte disk format, most of the track is taken up with
the data, not a number of sector headers and other non-
data overhead. This format, by minimizing disk accesses,

The ATR8000 determines drive size,

density, sector size, and so forth,

by itself, with no user intervention.

speeds everything up. In a typical input or output opera-
tion, another disk access is not needed until all 1024 bytes
are processed. This compares with eight disk accesses
on a single-density 128-byte-sector (standard CP/M)
system.

Because of the lowered amount of sector header in-
formation, the 1024-byte-sector format is recommended.
This format fits 180K bytes of data on a 5V4-inch disk and
674K bytes on an 8-inch disk, assuming double density.
If you use double-sided drives, the capacity increases
to 360K bytes on a 5V4-inch drive and 1.3 megabytes on
an 8-inch drive.

From CP/M, many disk-track-layout formats are avail-
able, in either 5V4- or 8-inch disks:

•128 bytes/sector, single density (the standard 8-inch
disk format)

•256 bytes/sector, double density (a common double-
density format)

•512 bytes/sector, double density (suitable for reading
TRS-80 Model II 8-inch disks)

• 1024 bytes/sector, double density (the usual SWP for-
mat, allowing 674K bytes of storage on a single-sided
8-inch disk)

SWP's DDINIT program initializes a disk to any of these
configurations, and the software automatically adjusts
for the new sector sizes.
The ATR8000 can read disk formats of several manufac-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 335

turers, including those of IBM, Kaypro, Osborne, and
the Xerox 820. Configuration programs are available to
read disks with nonstandard interleaving or sector size.
We found these programs extremely useful; we had a
library of Osborne disks, with their 90K-byte limit, and
data spread across those disks that we wanted in one
place. We copied about 30 Osborne disks down to three
double-density 8-inch disks and had room to spare.

If you change disk density or sector size with a disk
swap, a simple Control-C command will reset the
ATR8000's internal tables, and upon the next disk access
to the drive involved, the ATR8000 will reconfigure itself
and the CP/M blocking/deblocking tables for the proper
density and sector size.

We ran one rather unfair test of the ATR8000 just to
see how far the software would go. We formatted a disk
with half double-density and half single-density tracks
on it and then started copying programs onto it. The sys-
tem reached the track with the changed density; once
the system "found" the new density areas on the disk,
it reset the internal tables and continued writing. At this
point, we gave up trying to find ways to beat the
ATR8000.

Our ATR8000 system has two 8-inch Shugart 800 drives
and one 5V4-inch Tandon TM-100-1 drive. Operation
under CP/M and Atari DOS has been flawless. Any
number of copy operations from 5V*- to 8-inch and vice
versa, density changes, and strange disk formats have

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operated with no problems. In other words, the ATR8000
disk firmware has been thoroughly debugged.

The CP/M software we've used with the ATR8000 in-
cludes Wordstar, Microsoft BASIC, Supercalc, and
SMODEM37. All have performed without any problems.
There is probably no CP/M system on the market that
is easier to use. For instance, take the automatic drive
configuration. When the ATR8000 is booted, it deter-
mines drive and sector size, density, and step rate
automatically.

For most CP/M users, these things do not happen
automatically. Most of them must be done by (usually)
modifying the CP/M BIOS (basic input/output system),
which involves editing and reassembling source code-
no small task for a novice user. Generally, the user must
configure the floppy controller-board software for drive
step rate, size, number of tracks, and so on. The user
must also configure CP/M for sector and disk size, set-
ting up a number of tables for each new drive. Frankly,
this is a miserable process and tedious even when you
have been through it before; for a beginner, just under-
standing the CP/M parameter tables is nearly impossible.

But the ATR8000 does all of this automatically. We have
changed drive configurations and densities many times
and never once touched the BIOS. Because you can hook
up almost any disk drive and use the drive without prob-
lems, the ATR8000 may be an ultimate CP/M system.

If you need a low-level disk analyzer, SWP offers Disk-
mon and supplies it to every CP/M customer. This sector-
level disk editor is helpful for recovering data from bad
disks and for fixing directories. SWP also supplies
SMODEM37, a user-friendly telecommunications pro-
gram configured for the Hayes Smartmodem and the
ATR8000. (SMODEM37 is a public-domain program de-
veloped by the prolific Ward Christiansen and the CP/M
User's Group.) We have used it for some time with Com-
puServe, The Source, and many bulletin boards and
found it to be an excellent and friendly modem program.
Such features as checksummed object-code transmission
and reception, printer on/off, and a variety of data-
transmission rates make it a powerful and useful tool.

The vendor documents all of these utilities in a well-
written 70-page manual that also covers the parameters
needed for the context editor and how to hook the
system up to various disk drives. SWP also sends up-
dates to its customers, and some errors in the manuals
have been corrected. In general, the documentation is
above average.

The 8088 Configuration

Internally, the ATR8000 is a standard 4-MHz Z80 sys-
tem. A Mostek Z80 is the central processor, and 64K-bit
or 16K-bit dynamic RAMs are used for memory. The
other major chips include the standard Z80 CTC and the
Western Digital 1797.

With the advent of the IBM Personal Computer (PC),
the 8088 suddenly became a very popular processor.
Because IBM is selling so many PCs, there is a great de-
mand for 8088 software, and already many of the

336 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

M

K

J

U

I]

i® m

L

R

Portable or desktop,
you're way ahead when
you pick up a corona PC .™

Because we give you
everything you've ever
wanted in an IBM1 -com-
patible PC and more.
For a great deal less.

COMPATIBLE AND MORE.

Our systems run all
software that conforms
to IBM PC programming standards. And the
most popular software does.

We deliver twice the memory with room
for eight times as much.

We deliver a fast-access 320K floppy
drive, a communication port and an improved
IBM PC keyboard with indicator lights.

Our systems include high-resolution
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high-resolution graphics (640 x 325).

You get a complete system, ready
to go to work.

1

E

RE

so:

FE

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MORE VERSATILITY.

With all the necessary features built into
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used for your special needs. For example, color
or our optional 10MB hard disk.

Our RAM-disk
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PLUS SOFTWARE.

Our systems come
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GW BASIC.2 A training course: PC Tutor. 3 A
professional word processor: MultiMate.4 Plus
DOS utilities and demonstration programs.
Or you can get the p-System5 from N.C.I, and
write or run portable Pascal packages.

ALL FOR A GREAT DEAL LESS.

Even with all the extra features and
performance, our systems still cost signifi-
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Drop by your nearest corona PC

dealer for a very convincing
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(213) 991-1 144 or (800)
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F © Corona Data Systems 1983. 1. TM International
Business Machines. 2. TM Microsoft. 3. TM
Comprehensive Software Support. 4. TM Softword
Systems. 5. TM University of California.

See us at Comdex Booth #310

* corona

data systems, inc.

Circle 122 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

337

Photo 2: The Co-Power-i
ATR8000's bottom tray.

main processor board, mounted on the

Photo 3: The Co-Power-88 main processor board and Z80 adapter
board.

popular applications programs for CP/M-80 have been
translated for the 8088 (Wordstar-86, Supercalc, and
others). With this potentially large software market in
mind, SWP developed the Co-Power-88 (photo 2), a
stand-alone 8088 processor with either 128K or 256K
bytes of memory, accessible through the ATR8000's own
Z80. The 8088 is clocked at 5 MHz and runs under either
MS-DOS from Microsoft or CP/M-86 from Digital
Research.

The Co-Power-88, designed to provide Z80A-based
CP/M 2.2 systems with the power of the 8088, plugs in-
to the Z80's socket via a piggyback scheme. The Z80 is
first removed, then an adapter (photo 3) is plugged into
the Z80's socket and the Z80 is plugged into the adapter.
The adapter gives the Z80 two new I/O ports, located
at FE and FF hexadecimal, although the port locations
are reconfigurable if those locations are already in use
on your system. These two ports are then led via a short
cable to the 8088 board; all communications between the
8088 and the outside world are through this cable.

This generic method of interfacing an 8088 to a Z80
can be applied not only to the ATR8000 but to many
other Z80 systems. Given the number of users who will
want to upgrade their Z80 systems to the 8088, this tech-
nique seems like an excellent way to go. SWP is plan-
ning on releasing the Co-Power-88 for a variety of Z80A-
based CP/M machines in the near future and will prob-
ably sell a generic version for users wanting to install
an 8088 themselves.

The CP/M-80 system runs normally with the Co-
Power-88 installed. However, 120K or 250K bytes of Co-
Power-88 RAM can emulate a disk drive, a very useful
capability for spreadsheet manipulation, database sort-
ing, and skimming through documents with Wordstar.
This M-drive, as SWP refers to it, removes disk access
delay time and greatly speeds up the CP/M system.

The Co-Power system is easy to boot. When "Z88
(return)" is typed, the 8088 seizes control of the user's
CP/M system and boots off the main disk. The user's Z80

BIOS, and the Z80 as a controller, are used for input and
output to the 8088. Hence the Co-Power-88 system is
machine-independent because it uses the CP/M BIOS
already written and containing the machine-dependent
routines for all of its I/O functions.

CP/M-86 is available with the Co-Power-88 through
SWP. Programs that run on the IBM PC should work
with the Co-Power-88 if they don't rely on IBM-
dependent features (direct ROM calls and so forth).

The Co-Power-88 is an excellent upgrade to CP/M-80
systems using a Z80 processor. It installs easily because
it uses the CP/M routines already written. For users
needing the large address space of the 8088 and who
already have a CP/M-80 based system, the Co-Power-88
is well worth looking into.

Conclusion

The ATR8000 offers three levels of expansion. For the
Atari, it provides a clean interface to disk drives, printers,
and serial devices; for an Atari user or for any user with
a terminal, it provides access to the CP/M marketplace's
vast software supply and it offers the capability to ac-
cess the growing 8088 software market.

The ATR8000 offers another form of expansion: future
compatibility. The Atari's 6502 is an 8-bit processor in
an increasingly 16-bit world. With the ATR8000, an Atari
owner can begin to use CP/M-86, MS-DOS, and 16-bit
8088 software now.

A fine CP/M machine with extremely user-friendly
disk interfacing, the ATR8000 is ideal for CP/M users who
want to get their systems running without problems. It
is a true turnkey system— one of the very few we have
encountered. The ATR8000 closes the gap that has
separated Atari owners from the rest of the software
market. ■

Dave and Sandy Small (11314 Yucca Dr., Austin, TX 78759) are computer
consultants. Both have degrees in computer science from Colorado State
University.

338 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

The PC Saver Line Cord prevents
costlycomputererrors.

•*£

sfe>

Surges, spikes and line noise cause
computer errors.

The circuitry inside your personal computer and
peripherals depend upon a clean supply of AC line
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ceptible to surges, spikes and line noise. These volt-
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PC Saver Line Cord eliminates this problem.

Fits most personal computers.

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XT,™ all Apples,™ Texas Instruments,™ DEC,™
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PC Saver Line Cord: outstanding value.

At only $49.95, the PC Saver Line Cord gives
you better performance than products at twice the
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236200 KEN UR. For phone or mail orders please
include $2.50 shipping and handling. New York
State residents add applicable sales tax. Visa and
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d KENSINGTON
1 MICROWARE

PC Saver was tested to the institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
specification 507 1980, Category A. Also available in 220/240 Voit model.

Circle 253 on inquiry card.

PC Saver — trademark of Kensington Microware Ltd.
© 1983 Kensington Microware Ltd.

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WORD PROCESSING

Benchmark (Metasolt)
Benchmark MailList
Easy Writer II (1 US)
Easy Speller II (IUS)
Final Word (Unicom)
Footnote (Dig. Mrkt.)
Grammatik (Aspen)
MailMerge (Micropro)
PeachPak (Peachtree)
Perfect Writer (Perfect)
Perfect Speller (Perfect)
Perfect Writer/ Speller
Punct & Style (Oasis)
Select

Spellbinder (Lexisoft)
Spellguard (Sorcim)
Spellslar (MicroPro)
Superwriter (Sorcim)
The Word Plus (Oasis)
WordPlus-PC (Prof. Soft.)
WordStar (MicroPro)
WordStar/Mailmerge
WordStar/Spellstar

LIST
499
250
350
350
300
125
75
250
500
489
289
695
125
495
495
175
250
295
150
395
495
645
695

OUR
PRICE

354 tt

174 f*
252 t
252 |
22B tt
86 «
59 tt

164 ft
330 t*

202 tt

140 tt
286 tt
90 tt
332 t
264 tt
132 tt

165 tt
195 tt
105 tt
284 t
296 tt
429 tt
459 tt

SPREAD SHEET/FINANACIAL PLANNING

Bottom Line Strategist
Business Forecasting

Model (Visicorp)
CalcStar (MicroPro)
Easy Planner (IUS)
FPL Financial Planning
Friday (Ashton-Tate)
MemoPlan (Chang Labs)
MicroPlan (Chang Labs)
MultiPlan (Microsoft)
Multi-Tool Budget
Multi-Tool Financial St
Perfect Calc (Perfect)
PlannerCalc (Target)
ProlitPlan (Chang
Quickcalc Loan
Quickcalc Deprecl

Analyzer (•£)/
Quickcalc J^rsrat

Invest
Scratcl4(jal^^upers0'
Supi
VisiCal
VisiTrend (V,
VisiSchedult
Supercalc

0ATA BASE
1-2-3 (Lotus)
Access Manager

400
100

\jtoi* 195 fj|tt ,
c J^Elrate^>30 94 tt

cTsi r\ QJS>

JaTflPupersoTfl^ 295 %J t

Condor 3 - now w/ report 650 301 tt
wriler (Condor) BUY OF THE MONTH

dBase-ll (Ashton-Tate) 700 409 tt

DBPIus (HumanSoft) 125 89 tt

dGRAPH (Fox & Geller) 295 199 tt

Display Manager (D/R) 400 312 t

dUTIL (Fox & Geller) 99 71 tt

Easy Filer (IUS) 400 264 t

Friday (Ashton-Tate) 295 195 tt

InloStar (MicroPro) 495 327 tt

Notebook (Dig Mrklg ) 150 102 tt

Office Filer (Dig. Mrklg.) 395 272 tt

Perfect Filer (Perfect) 589 238 tt

PFS FILE (Soft Pub.) 140 101 t

PFS GRAPH (Soft. Pub.) 125 89 t

PFS REPORT (Soft. Pub.) 125 89 t

QPRO-4 (Quick n Easy) 395 285 t

Mailman (Quick-n-Easi) 125 90 t

Quick-N-Easy AG 295 213 t

Quickcode (Fox & Geller) 295 212 tt

Quickscreen (Fox & Geller) 149 124 tt

Visidex (VisiCorp) 250 198 t

VisiFile (VisiCorp) 300 237 t

OPERATING SYSTEMS

CP/M-86 (D/R)
CP/M Net (D/R)
MP/M II (D/R)

LIST

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200
450

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189 t
349 t

TRAINING

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CP + (Taurus) 150

DESPOOL (D/R) 50

Disk Doctor (Supersolt) 100
d-UTIL(Fox& Geller) » 99
FancyFont (SoftCraft)«%£ JB0
M-Sort (MicroSolt)i
Menu Master (Borlf
QuickScreen (Fo|

54

I0B t
40 t
74 tt
71 tt
159 tt
133 t
141 t
120 tt

LANGUAGES

S (Microsoft) 125

Basic Compiler (Microsoft) 395

350
600
150
200
500
500

103 f\/ BASIC Interpreter 80

■ " °^(|ss BASIC Compiler
SWII (D/R)
IC 86 (D/R)
I^Compiler (Microsoft)
^^CB80 (D/R)

Cobol Compiler (Microsoft) 750

Fortran 80 Compiler

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Pascal Ml + (D/R)

Pascal Ml +86 (D/R)

PL/1-80 (D/R)

PL/1-86 (D/R)

RM/COBOL full devel sys 750

96 t
269 t
239 tt
420 tt
121 t
IB1 t
360 tt
403 t
499 tt

500 330 t
1600 1150 tt

200 149 t
90 78 t
133 t
429 t
420 t
468 t
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540 tt

200
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195

139

Move-It (Woolf)

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89

Smartcom II (Hayes)

119

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Hayes Smartmodem w/SmartCom S484

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342 BYTE December 1983

Circle 219 on inquiry card.

Hardware Review

The Hercules Graphics Card

This card connects directly to the display and -provides high-
resolution graphics for the IBM PC

by Tom Wadlow

When I bought an IBM Personal Computer (PC), I
spent quite a bit of time comparing the merits of the
monochrome display with those of the color display.
One side of the debate asked: How can you have a home
computer without some sort of graphics display? Look
at all the flexibility you'd have, writing color-coded soft-
ware and making graphs and charts. And what about
games? The other side of the debate was, unfortunate-
ly, much more pragmatic: Are you going to be able to
stare at color characters on the display all day?

Pragmatism won.

But now there's a product for people who want crisp,
attractive text as well as graphics. Hercules Computer
Technology's Graphics Card (see photo 1) directly
replaces the IBM monochrome card; it plugs into a slot

in the IBM backplane and connects to the PC display
(i.e., the green-phosphor video monitor). The card pro-
duces a display that is indistinguishable from that of the
standard monochrome board. Twiddle a few bits, how-
ever, and the card provides a 720- by 348-point graphics
display as well. In addition, the Hercules card has two
displayable graphics pages. Because you can write into
one page while displaying the other, some types of
animation are possible.

The Hercules board looks and feels well constructed.
It's a full-sized PC board that comes with an extra card
guide. The board's connectors duplicate those of the IBM
monochrome card— one for connection to the IBM moni-
tor and one for the parallel printer interface. To use this
board with a standard video monitor, you would prob-

Photo 1: The Hercules Graphics Card plugs into a slot on the IBM PC's backplane, replacing IBM's monochrome card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 343

Command

Operation

GMODE

Enters graphics mode

TMODE

Enters text mode

CLRSCR

Clears the current graphics page

GPAGE

Sets the current graphics page for writing (either 0
or 1) but doesn't affect the display

LEVEL

Sets the intensity level for subsequent writing; 0
writes black (off), 1 writes white (on), 2 applies the
exclusive-OR function to what is on the screen

DISP

Sets the currently displayed graphics page

PLOT

Writes one pixel to the screen

GETPT

Gets one pixel from the screen

MOVE

Sets an endpoint to be used for line drawing

DLINE

Draws a line from the point set by the last MOVE
to the current point

BLKFIL

Fills a rectangle according to the currently set
intensity

TEXT

Puts a character or characters on the screen

ARC

Draws a quarter circle

CIRCLE

Draws a complete circle

FILL

Fills in an irregular polygon

Table 1: The

graphics primitives supplied with the Hercules card.

At a Glance

Name

Hercules Graphics Card

Use

Replaces the IBM monochrome display card; has both 80- by
25-character display and 720- by 348-point graphics display

Manufacturer

Hercules Computer Technology, 3200 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA
94703, [415] 799-9354

Size

Uses one slot on the IBM PC backplane

Features

Text display is indistinguishable from that of the IBM monochrome
display; includes a printer port to allow replacement of the
monochrome card

Hardware required

IBM monochrome video display; cannot be used in conjunction
with a color display

Software

BASICA, in order to run HBASIC; can be used with high-level
languages as well, although none is provided

Documentation

General description of hardware, low-level graphics interface
routines, and BASIC

Price

S499, includes Graph X and HBASIC software

ably need an adapter cable.

Replacing my monochrome board with the Hercules
presented no problem because the operations manual
contained explicit instructions. The Hercules card
worked the first time, pretending to be the standard 80-
by 25-character text display. With daily use, however, I
have noticed an occasional failure to properly initialize
on power-up; specifically, the cursor does not appear as
it should, and the system does not boot. Each time this
problem occurred, I solved it by turning off the system
power switch, waiting a few seconds, and then turning
the system back on.

I made working copies of the two Hercules disks so
I could try out the graphics functions. A message on the
disk envelope warns the user that only one backup copy
is permitted, although this rule is not enforced by the
software. It seems ridiculous to place such an unenforce-
able restriction on a software package, especially con-
sidering that the graphics functions are likely to be used
in several ways on the same system. I'm sure that few
people will endure the shuffling of floppy disks that's
necessary to comply with this rule.

Graphics

The Hercules card provides a set of 15 graphics
primitives, which can be called from BASIC, from assem-
bly language, or from other high-level languages. Using

344 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

these primitives as a starting point, you can write sophis-
ticated programs to manipulate a screen image. The
functions supplied are listed in table 1.

The Graph X software manual, which describes the
graphics operations, contains excellent examples of the
assembly-language interfaces needed to call these func-
tions from an assembler program. An object file can be
used with the IBM linker to enable compiled languages
to use Graph X. Graph X functions can be called from
BASIC-both IBM's BASICA (the Advanced BASIC in-
terpreter provided by IBM for the PC) and compiled
BASIC— through a series of steps.

HBASIC

Probably the easiest way to start producing graphics
with the Hercules card is using Hercules BASIC
(HBASIC). When I first heard about HBASIC, I had vi-
sions of trying to keep track of which .BAS files were
written for BASICA and which were written for HBASIC.
My fears, however, were unfounded. The program called
HBASIC is not a new BASIC. It loads BASICA and modi-
fies it in memory (not on disk) to do graphics, but it is
somewhat different. Because it is slightly slower than
BASICA, timing loops must be recalculated. BASICA
assumes an individual character size of 8 by 8 pixels, yet
HBASIC assumes a matrix of 9 by 14 pixels. Many graph-
ics commands intended for the IBM color/graphics

Text continued on page 352

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415/341-1300 TX-466913

Circle 421 on inquiry card.

Listing 1: This IBM Macro Assembler program contains all the code needed to call any Graph X function. The program was used to generate
a series of screens, from which some of the photos in this article were generated.

Exerciser for the Hercules Graphics Card

Do BDOE Screen output function func

TITLE Hercules

-- Exerciser

COMMENT

*

Wri t ten

by Tom Wadlcw

*

video

macro

func

mov

ah , func

int

lOh

endm

gmode

macro

v i deo

40h

endm

tmode

ma cro

v i deo

41h

endm

c lrscr

macro

video

42h

endm

gpage

macro

buf page

mov

a 1 , buf page

v ideo

43h

endm

level

macro

i

mov

al , i

v ideo

44h

endm

disp

macro

buf page

mov

a 1 , buf page

v ideo

45h

endm

Plot

macro

x , y

mov

di ,x

mov

bp . y

video

46h

endm

getpt

macro

x , y

mov

d i , x

mov

bp , y

video

47h

endm

move

ma cro

x , y

mov

di . x

mov

bp , y

v i deo

48h

endm

d 1 ine

macro

x , y

mov

di , x

mov

bp , y

v i deo

49h

endm

Enter graphics mode

Enter text mode

Clear the screen

Change page to be written into
(0 or 1) Doesn't affect display

Set in tens i t y level

0 - black, 1 - whits, 2 - XOR

Set current display page
(0 or 1)

sets, clears or xors a pixel

reads a pixel

set new endpoint

draws from last endpoint to x,y
sets new endpoint at x,y

Listing 1 continued on page 350

346 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983 349

Listing 1 continued:

blkf i J

ma cro

x , y , w, h

mov

di , x

mov

bp , y

mov

ex ,w

mov

bx,h

video

4ah

en dm

pu t chr

macro

x , y , c

mov

di , x

mov

bp, y

mov

a ] , c

v i deo

4bh

en dm

arc

ma cro

x , y , r , q

mov

d i , x

mov

bp , y

mov

bx , r

mov

a J , q

video

4ch

endm

c ire

macro

x , y , r

mov

d i , x

mov

bp , y

mov

bx. , r

v i deo

4dh

endm

fill

macro

x , y

mov

di , x

mov

bp , y

v i deo

4eh

endm

wa i t

ma cro

mov

ah . 0

int

16h

endm

SSEG

SEGMENT

STACK

DW

3 2 DUP( ? l

SSEG

ENDS

CSEG

SEGMENT

A55UME

CS:CSEG

MAIN

PROC

FAR

PUSH

DS

SUB

AX, AX

PUSH

AX

; Setup

gmode

gpa ge

0

d i sp

0

c 1 rscr

fills a rectangle w,h whose lower left
corner is at x , y

puts a character at x,y

Draws a quarter circle centered at x,y
radius r, in quadrant q 2 1

3 4

Circle at x,y radius r

Fill irregular shape where x,y is inside

Wait for any key tc be struck

Save PC-DOS return information

Enter graphics mode

Select the graphics page to write into
Select the graphics page to be displayed
Clear the page

Fill entire screen to determine usable area
fill 359.173

wait ; Pause for measurement

c 1 r s c r

Listing 1 continued on page 352

350 December 1983 © BYTE Publications tnc.

VISUAL presents economic elegance and
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FEATl

RE CO

MPARISC

IN CHART

FEATURE

VISUAL
50/55

Hazeltine
Esprit

ADDS

Viewpoint

Lear
Siegler
ADM-5

TeleVideo'
910

Tilt and Swivel

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

Detached Keyboard

YES

NO

YES

NO

NO

N-Key Rollover

YES

NO

YES

NO

NO

Audible Key Click

YES

YES

NO

NO

NO

Menu Set-Up Mode

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

Status Line

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

Full 5 Attribute Selection

YES

NO

NO

NO

YES

Smooth Scroll

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

Line Drawing Character Set

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

Block Mode

YES

YES

NO

NO

YES

Insert/Delete Line

YES

YES

NO

NO

YES

Bi-Directional Aux Port

YES

YES

NO

YES

NO

Columnar Tabbing

YES

YES

NO

NO

YES

Independent RCV/TX Rates

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

Answerback User
Programmable

YES

NO

NO

OPT.

NO

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See for yourself

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through Sorbus Service,
Inc.

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Telephone (617) 851-5000. Telex 951-539

BYTE December 1983 351

Listing I continued:

Draw a circle

circ 359, 173 , 100
wait

; Pause for a photo

Fill it

fill
wa i t

359,173

; Fill the inside of the circle
; Pause for a photo

; Clear the screen and try something harder
c 1 rscr
circ 359.173,100 ; Draw a circle like before

c i r c
wa i t
fill
wa i t

359,173,50
270, J 73

; Draw a square around the circle

move 254,68 ;

dl ine 464.68 ;

dl ine 464 , 278 ;

dline 254.278

dl ine 254 , 68

wait ;

and then a smaller, concentric one

Pause for a photc

Pick point inside and try to fill the donut

Pause for a photo

Set the starting point

Draw a square 210 pixels on a side

centered around the center of the circle

Pause for a pho t o

iet to XOR mode and fill the circle

level
hlkf il
wa i t

254, 278 ,210, 210

Set the level to XOR-mcde
Fill the square
Pause for a photo

Clear the screen and return to text mode
c 1 rscr
tmode

RET
MAIN ENDP
CSEG ENDS

Return to PC-DOS

END

Text continued from page 344:

adapter work under HBASIC, though, and the HBASIC
documentation provides a "cookbook" method of con-
verting color BASICA programs to run under HBASIC.

Many of the Hercules card's features cannot be used
from interpretive HBASIC, however. Linkages enable a
program written in compiled BASIC to use the full set
of Graph X routines, and there are easy ways to use
Graph X from assembly-language programs and other
compiled languages such as Pascal.

I found Graph X remarkably easy to use with the IBM
assembler. Listing 1 is an IBM macro assembler program
I wrote to generate some of the photographs in this ar-
ticle. The Graph X manual describes in detail the syn-
tax for calling each function from assembly language,
Pascal, and BASIC. My only complaint is that some of
the examples are inconsistent. On page 13 of the Graph
X manual is an example of drawing a circle (the com-
ments on the right are mine).

MOV

Dl, X

MOV

BP, Y

MOV

BX, RADIUS

INT

10H

Set the x-location of the center
Set the y-location of the center
Set the radius of the circle
Call Graph X to draw the
circle

Every example of individual functions uses a similar
form, and the calling sequence is always the same: first,
set the function code; second, initialize the registers; and
finally, call Graph X.

However, when the time comes to give an example of
an entire assembly-language program, the circle-drawing
portion of that program is written as follows (the com-
ments on the right are mine):

MOV AH, 4DH

Set the function to CIRCLE
(hexadecimal 4D)

MOV

BX, 120

Set the radius

MOV

Dl, 359

Set the x-location

MOV

BP, 173

Set the y-location

MOV

AH, 4DH

Select the CIRCLE function

INT

10H

Call Graph X to draw the
circle

352 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Photo 2: The concentric circles in 2a were produced with the CIRCLE function. Then, in lb, FILL (the convex-polygon fill function) was
applied. Next, in 2c, the card's line-drawing function produced the rectangle framing the figure. In 2d, the rectangle was colored in with
BLKFIL, set at an intensity level of 2 (the XOR function).

Worse yet, the manual's only comment on those five
lines of code was in the first line, simply "draw a circle."
Consistency is very important in computer documenta-
tion, and I wish there were more in this set of manuals.

Despite the vagueness of the manuals, I experienced
no difficulty producing a set of assembly-language and
HBASIC programs to exercise the capabilities of the Her-
cules card. In the process, I found many usable features
and three fairly important flaws. Most of the good fea-
tures as well as the flaws are in the Graph X software
and not in the Hercules board, so they can be corrected.

The manufacturer has provided two features, FILL and
BLKFIL, that are indispensable in a graphics package.
The first of these two features, an irregular-polygon fill
(called a convex-polygon fill by the vendor), enables a
programmer to select a point inside "an object with no
interior holes and no peninsulas protruding into it." The
interior of the polygon is filled by applying this func-
tion to the selected point, turning a hollow object into
a solid one. Using FILL on an empty screen turns the
entire screen green; using FILL on an object already
filled erases the object entirely. Graph X performs this
function with blinding speed. Photos 2a through 2d il-
lustrate some of the capabilities of this software. The
graphics were produced using the program in listing 1.

My only complaint about this feature concerns the
definition of a convex polygon. There are plenty of
algorithms to fill polygons with holes and peninsulas,
and it's a shame that Hercules chose not to implement
them. The vendor's convex-polygon fill can indeed be
used to fill objects with holes, but those holes cast
"shadows" that require more filling to repair them.

The other feature I especially like, BLKFIL, is used to
fill rectangles in one of three ways. If the intensity value
(set with the LEVEL primitive) is set at 0, the specified
rectangle is erased. If intensity is set at 1, the rectangle
is entirely filled in. If intensity is set at 2, the exclusive-
OR (XOR) function alters the rectangle, as shown in
photo 2d. I heartily approve of this feature. XOR is a use-
ful graphics tool for preserving information; for exam-

ple, it enables you to move a cursor nondestructively
over a display.

However, BLKFIL is as slow as molasses. I am will-
ing, though unhappy, to accept this slow speed when
using the XOR function but not when using BLKFIL ON
(1) and BLKFILL OFF (0). No significant computation
should be going on during those functions.

Another slight annoyance involves the aspect ratio, the
ratio between the usable number of vertical and horizon-
tal dots per inch. This ratio is important when you are
trying to produce circles, for instance. The Hercules card
provides an aspect ratio of 61/88, a rather unusual num-
ber that I expect resulted from trying to squeeze as many
lines as possible onto the screen image. As the user's
manual points out, this number can be approximated
by 2/3, but a circle produced with an aspect ratio of 61/88
is measurably different from one produced with a ratio
of 2/3. Nevertheless, most computers multiply by 61/88
as well as they do by 2/3 or 3/4. If you are working in
a language such as FORTH, which is inherently integer-
based, you may find this discrepancy frustrating. List-
ing 2, an HBASIC program that generates circles of
various aspect ratios, was used to produce photo 3.

Hardware

I can offer very little criticism of the actual Hercules
board because, with the exception of the occasional prob-
lem on power-up, it performs exactly as advertised. Dur-
ing switches between text and graphics modes, the
screen gives a very distressing vertical bounce, which is
harmless but potentially surprising the first time you see
it. The switch between the two graphics pages, however,
is as clean and glitch-free as you could possibly want.

A look at the documentation provided on the hard-
ware reveals that an ambitious programmer could do
many interesting things with the Hercules card. Mouse
Systems has written a version of RasterOp that uses the
Hercules; except for a brief demonstration at the 1983
West Coast Computer Faire, I haven't looked at it in
detail. What I saw was very impressive, however.

354 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Why pay more for a 1 200 baud, auto-dial,
21 2A Modem for your IBM PC?

Flip the pages. You see PC modem cards with
fewer features advertised for as much as $599.
Up until now that's how much it cost to make a
modem capable of transmitting at 1 20 charac-
ters per second (1200 baud). It doesn't take a
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charges when you communicate four times
faster than the 30 character per second modems
(300 baud). Now you can have the solution to
your communication needs at an unheard of
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NOW COME THE SMART GUYS

You can imagine how precise the components
had to be to convert tones over a phone line into
characters. Precision equates to cost. With the
advent of the mass market in personal computers
the economics of scale drove the costs of
manufacture down but did not effect the pre-
cision required. The technology used is called
"analog filtering". It is the process of sending
(modulating) and receiving (demodulating) tones
with perfect pitch. A lot of adjusting, noise
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We took a different approach. With the Qubie'
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analog circuitry. Two microprocessors do the
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We included every feature you would want in a
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port for another peripheral when your modem is
not in use, we will add a connector for just $20.
It's FCC registered for direct connection to your
modular phone jack with the cable which is

included. There is a separate jack for your
telephone or you can listen through the board's
speaker. It operates in full or half duplex mode
on Rotary dial lines (pulse dialing) or on tone
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separate microprocessor, a Z8, controls all the
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(805) 987-9741

Photo 3: A comparison of aspect ratios generated with the program in listing 1.

Listing 2: This HBASIC program generates circles of various aspect ratios. It was used to produce photo 3.

10

15

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

REM ASPECT. BAS

REM Writ ten by

CLS

CIRCLE( 150 , 173 )

CIRCLEf 360,173)

CIRCLE(570 , 173 )

-- Demonstrates
Tom Wadlow

how an aspect ratio can affect a circle

100

100,

100

3/4
.61/86

LOCATE
LOCATE
LOCATE
LOCATE

35
15
40

62

PRINT
PRINT
PRINT
PRINT

"Aspect

"1/1" :
"3/4";
"61/88"

Ra t i 05 '

LOCATE 21, 15: PRINT "See
LOCATE 22, 15: PRINT "The
REM Pause for a photo
LOCATE 1,1
INPUT " ",AS

the difference that 5/88 can make in a circle"
circle on the left (61/88) is correctly round"

The printer port on the graphics card has worked flaw-
lessly with my Microprism 480. Hercules includes soft-
ware that provides a graphics screen dump to the printer,
but it works only with Epson printers equipped with
Graftrax chips. Because I don't have an Epson, I couldn't
test that feature. The screen dump works by replacing
the built-in printer handler with a custom Hercules
handler. You can do so by placing the commands INT10
and INT5E (for graphics and print handling, respective-
ly) in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to be executed on re-
booting. Some packages, and specifically HBASIC, seem
to replace the print handler themselves and thus are
oblivious to preloading interrupt handlers.

Conclusion

Despite the flaws in its documentation and software,
the Hercules Graphics Card is a fine product. The hard-

ware is well built and the architecture allows for much
flexibility in constructing software. The Graph X package
can provide users all the power they could want in terms
of graphics primitives, and for those users whose tastes
run in different directions, other companies are now
coming out with more sophisticated software. In addi-
tion, some firms are modifying applications packages to
use Hercules graphics. The Lotus 1-2-3 Information Man-
ager is one such package. HBASIC is a good introduc-
tion to graphics, but people with sophisticated applica-
tions will probably want to work toward a compiled
language in order to take full advantage of the Hercules
Graphics Card.H

Thomas A. Wadlow (FOB 2755, Livermore, CA 94550) received a B.S.E.E.
degree from Carnegie-Mellon University. He works as an engineer at the
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

356 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 264 on inquiry card.

Let the ANGELdo the waiting

It has been said that 30% of micro-
computer users will eventually purchase
a buffer. For business users, a buffer
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BYTE's Bits

IBM Announces the PCjr

After months of speculation and
seemingly random rumors, the Entry
Systems Division of IBM announced
its most basic entry system, a home
computer called the PCjr. The long-
awaited "Peanut" features an 8088
microprocessor, a "detached" key-
board (linked via infrared light), two
game cartridge slots, and compatibil-
ity with the IBM PC.

Two configurations will be offered.
The basic or entry configuration has
64K bytes of RAM (expandable to
128K bytes), color graphics capabil-
ity, internal slots for a single-disk
drive and modem, and external con-
nections for several peripherals, in-
cluding a joystick, a light pen, serial
devices, a parallel printer adapter,
and an RGB (red, green, blue)
display. The price of the base system
is $669.

In addition to the above, an
enhanced system features 128K bytes
of RAM (random-access read/write
memory), a 5V4-inch, 360K-byte
double-sided floppy-disk drive,
enhanced graphics capability, and
the ability to run many IBM PC pro-
grams. This configuration will cost
$1269.

Demonstrator units should be on
display at authorized dealers during
December, but deliveries are not
scheduled to begin until sometime in
the first quarter of 1984.

Perhaps the PCjr's most important
feature is its compatibility with its
bigger brother, the PC. The enhanced
version of the PCjr uses a new ver-
sion of PC-DOS, called version 2.1,
which is available for $65. This new
version of PC-DOS is compatible
with previous versions of PC-DOS,
and thus many programs for the
larger PC can run on the PCjr.
However, this new version of PC-
DOS apparently occupies a sizable
amount of memory and thus limits
the amount available to application

by Rich Malloy

programs. Many IBM PC programs
will not have enough memory
available to run. Among the pro-
grams that do run are Easywriter
(version 1.15), pfs:File (1.05),
Multiplan (1.1), Visicalc (1.2), and
IBM Logo. Peachtext runs but is not
recommended.

The main circuit board of the PCjr
has 72 chips, including an 8088 with
the same clock speed (4.77 MHz) as
that of the PC. Circuitry for the color
graphics display, the serial interface,
and the joystick ports is all on the
main board, along with ROM chips
and 64K bytes of RAM. Three expan-
sion slots are available: one for a sec-
ond bank of 64K bytes of RAM ($140),
one for a half-height disk drive
($480), and one for a 300-bps (bits per
second) internal modem ($199) . The
slots are not interchangeable. An ex-
pansion bus connector is located on
the right side of the machine. This is
used to connect to a parallel printer
adapter ($99), which attaches to the
side of the machine. The power
supply is housed in a separate
enclosure. There is no socket, by the
way, for an 8087 arithmetic processor.

The detached keyboard has 62 keys
as opposed to the IBM PC's 83 keys.
A diamond-shaped cursor-key ar-
rangement is present, but no
numeric keypad or function keys are
included. Instead, a function Shift
key is available that transforms the
numeric keys into function keys. The
left Shift key and the Return key are
in their normal, pre-PC places. The
spacing of the keys seems somewhat
different than that of a standard
Selectric typewriter, however. A
touch-typist's fingers will have a
tendency to fall off the keys into the
large spaces between them.

The most interesting thing about
the keyboard is its infrared connec-
tion. The keyboard has its own power
supply (four AA batteries) and can

communicate with the system unit as
long as it is within 20 feet of it and
in a direct line of sight of the com-
puter's infrared detector. An optional
keyboard cable is available for situa-
tions in which more than one system
is in a given room.

The entry system features the same
graphics capability as that of the IBM
PC Color Graphics Adapter. The
enhanced system, however, has extra
memory that enables it to display
more colors— for example, four colors
in high-resolution mode (640 by 200
pixels). In addition, these four colors
can be chosen from a palette of 16.

A number of peripherals and soft-
ware packages were announced for
the PCjr. These included joysticks
($40) and a thermal printer ($175).
New software includes a cartridge-
based version of BASIC that can ac-
cess disk files and can use the
enhanced graphics and sound
capabilities of the PCjr. Other car-
tridge programs include several
games (such as Crossfire) and educa-
tional programs. The game cartridges
will sell for approximately $35.

It is also interesting to note the
similarity of the PCjr to the initial in-
troduction of the PC. The first PC
had a relatively limited memory
(256K bytes maximum), limited
storage capability (160K bytes per
disk), and, of course, that controver-
sial keyboard. In fact, rumors even
circulated that these limitations were
designed to limit competition with
IBM's more expensive Display Writer
and Data Master. Similarly, the PCjr
has comparatively limited memory
(128K bytes), limited storage (one
disk drive), and yet another new
keyboard. The PCjr will probably be
a very strong contender in the home
computer market. But these limita-
tions will surely limit its competition
with the PC— for the time being,
anyway. ■

358 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Hardware Review

The Wang

Professional

Computer

Providing an easy-to-use
word-processing program with
sophisticated features,
this 16-bit microcomputer runs
MS-DOS 2.0

by Elaine Long

A year ago, Wang Laboratories entered the rapidly
growing microcomputer arena with the Wang Profes-
sional Computer. The physical features of this 16-bit sys-
tem are, to use a current industry buzzword, ergo-
nomic— flexibly designed to suit limited space, neutral
in color, and pleasant and easy to use.

The basic system, based on the Intel 8086 processor,
provides an 8-MHz cycle speed, 128K bytes of memory
(expandable to 640K bytes), a Centronics parallel-printer
interface port, an RS-232C asynchronous serial interface,
five expansion slots, a BASIC interpreter, built-in
diagnostics, and 4-channel DMA (direct memory access)
capability.

The Display

The separate monitor (see photo 1) has a pedestal base
that allows you to vary the angle of the 12-inch, green-
on-black, 25-line by 80-character (800 by 300 pixel) video
display. An optional arm and desk clamp for the monitor
provide even greater flexibility, allowing you to swing
the monitor away from your working area when you
don't need it. Characters are formed on an 8- by 10-pixel
matrix, using the 96-character ASCII (American National
Standard Code for Information Interchange) character
set plus 128 additional foreign and graphics characters.

Character display attributes include boldface, inverse
video, blinking, boldface underscore, reverse boldface
underscore, subscript, and superscript.

The System's Keyboard

The detached keyboard pictured in photo 2 consists
of 101 sculptured keys arranged in groupings with similar

fC3

7V

[_ iJJ:1-].1!!1 ' '

mm™

Photo 2: The Wang's sculptured keyboard contains 101 sculptured
keys, including 16 programmable function keys. Note the indicator
lights, which can signal problems even when the display is not
working.

functions. These groupings include a standard type-
writer keypad, a 15-key numeric keypad, function keys
for advanced operation and editing, 16 programmable
special-function keys (used by Wang-supplied applica-
tion programs and third-party and user-developed pro-
grams), 5 cursor-control keys, and a Help key. Knobs on
the front of the monitor control display brightness. The
Wang PC's display, which has an 800- by 300-pixel resolu-

360 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Photo 1: In this configuration, the Wang Professional Computer rests on an optional stand (the PC Arm, $150). A daisy-iuheel printer (Model
PC-PM010, approximately $600) is on the left. Interestingly, the system unit, which houses two floppy-disk drives, can be placed either
horizontally or vertically on a desk or it can be clamped to the side of a desk with the PC Clamp (which comes with the PC Arm).

tion, seems somewhat sharper than that of the IBM PC's
monochrome monitor, which has a 720- by 350-pixel res-
olution. A bit-mapping scheme handles graphics. Five
programmable LED (light-emitting diode) indicators on
the keyboard are programmed to operate during power-
on diagnostics, which takes about 30 seconds, indicating
the beginning, end, and results of diagnostic tests at the
start of each operation. All keyboard data is buffered;
the 8086 processor is interrupted less than once every
10 milliseconds (ms). The keyboard also houses a 2-inch
speaker for sound generation and thus provides audio
and tactile feedback.

Two types of reaction are common to the audio-feed-
back feature of the Wang PC: some users love it, and
others can't stand it. I found its very loud sound annoy-
ing. The feature is programmable, though, so you can
reprogram the speaker to modify its volume and tone.

Disk Drives

A basic system comes with a 5V4-inch double-sided

double-density floppy-disk drive, which records 48
tracks per inch and can store 360K bytes of data. Al-
though a great deal of software is written in a single-
sided double-density format, it can still be used on the
Wang PC because the computer's operating system,
Microsoft's MS-DOS 2.0, enables it to also read single-
sided double-density disks. You can also add a second
disk drive or a 5 V* -inch, 10-megabyte Winchester disk
and controller. A system-diagnostics software disk comes
as standard equipment.

Operating-System Features

Microsoft's MS-DOS has received much attention
recently, not only because IBM chose it for its Personal
Computer, but also because the test of time is revealing
that this operating system stands up to the development
needs of 16-bit applications. It is therefore safe to say that
MS-DOS is emerging as a standard operating system.
Wang enhanced MS-DOS for use on its computer.

Examples of utilities that Wang added to the operat-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 36Y

At a Glance

Name

Wang Professional Computer

Manufacturer

Wang Laboratories Inc.
1 Industrial Ave.
Lowell, MA 01851
(617) 459-5000

Dimensions

Processor unit: 23.1 by 14.9 by 6.5 inches; 27.8 pounds

Video display: 11.8 by 13 by 10.8 inches; 14 pounds; angle of tilt

with pedestal base: 15° back and 5° forward

Keyboard: 11.8 by 13 by 10.8 inches; 14 pounds; connected to the

rear of the electronics unit by a telephone-cord-like coil

Computer

Intel 8086 16-bit microprocessor [8087 coprocessor is optional),
8-MHz system clock, 128K bytes of memory minimum and 640K
bytes maximum; five expansion slots support memory
enhancements and options; interfaces for disk control and video
terminal control board are available; Centronics parallel port and
RS-232C serial port come standard

Keyboard and Monitor

101-key detached keyboard with numeric keypad and 16 program-
mable special-function keys, including Help, Cancel, and Delete
keys; 12-inch phosphor green-on-black display with 800- by
300-pixel resolution and 80-character by 24-line display format; 8-
by 10-pixel/cell character display, 224-character set; tilt-and-swivel
mount

Disk Storage

Provisions for removable- and fixed-disk storage housed in system;
5!/4-inch double-sided double-density floppy disk: 360K bytes of
storage, 48 tracks per inch, 250K-byte/sec data-transfer rate; single-
sided double-density disks also read; additional 10-megabyte hard
disk or floppy disk accommodated by expansion cabinet

Operating System

MS-DOS 2.0 permits dynamic file-space allocation, random and se-
guential file access, and automatic start-up; Wang-enhanced user
interface enables menu mode or MS-DOS command mode of
operation and provides user prompts; features include menu inter-
face for systems utilities for file management, conversion aids,
screen-formatting utilities, file-to-document conversion utilities, and
program-development tools with menu-driven editor and on-line
debugger

Software

MS BASIC interpreter included; BASIC compiler: $295, MS Pascal:
$295, MS FORTRAN: $354, MS COBOL: $695, Asynchronous
Communications: $55, PC Word Processing: $500, Business
Graphics: $300, Data Base: $650, 2780/3780: $200, Software Pro-
ductivity Package (including Multiplan, Wang Word Processing,
and Asynchronous Communications): $650; remote Wangnet for
VS Communications, VS Workstation Emulation, OIS Workstation
Emulation, and Alliance Workstation Emulation: price not
available; PC Notebook: S200

Prices

Single floppy-disk system without monitor: S2595
Single floppy-disk system with monitor: S3265
Double floppy-disk system with monitor: $3790
10-megabyte hard-disk, single floppy-disk system: $5650

ing system include one for modification of communica-
tion parameters of the RS-232C serial port and utilities
for text-to-document and document-to-text conversion.
Others are Compare Data and Modify System Menu util-
ities. The operating system also supports four printer
drivers: for the Wang PC-PM010 matrix printer, the NEC
Spinwriter 3530, a general parallel printer, and a general
serial printer.

In keeping with the goal of ease of use, the Wang PC,
unlike the IBM PC, does not require users to learn the
MS-DOS command structure. Instead, a user can per-
form all file functions on the Wang machine using stan-
dard English menu prompts. Photo 3 illustrates the oper-
ating-system utilities menu, and photo 4 shows an ap-
plications menu. The MS-DOS command-language
mode is available, however, so that users familiar with
that mode of operation can utilize it. Help screens are
available to assist with nearly all selections within the
operating system.

Word Processing

Wang Laboratories has set many standards for word
processing, and the word-processing system designed
for this computer approaches the same levels of sophis-
tication and ease offered by the company's dedicated
word processors. The Wang PC, however, is designed
for use by people who have had no formal training in
the use of data- or word-processing systems.

"It is our feeling," said a representative of Wang
Laboratories, "that if the professional cannot learn to use
the word-processing package within 30 minutes, he will
never learn to use it." Through the extensive use of word-
processing function keys and a hierarchical menu struc-
ture, Wang word-processing software has, to a large
degree, achieved the company's goal and made the sys-
tem simple to learn.

The word-processing screen is headed by a primary-
status (or format) line that indicates the name of the
document the operator is using as well as its page
number and the line and location in the line where he
is working (see photo 5). [Editor's Note: Photos 5 and 6
show menus of version 1.0 of Wang's word-processing package.
Version 2.0, discussed in this review, provides enhanced
features.] The format line controls the vertical line
spacing, tab settings, and line length of all text follow-
ing it. Along with standard single-, double-, and triple-
spacing, you can format one-and-one-half-, half-, and
quarter-spacing. Although the system can display only
80 characters across the screen, a horizontal-scroll feature
lets you view and create documents with widths to 158
characters.

You can change the default format line fairly easily. You
merely move the cursor to the home position, press the
Format function key, make the necessary changes in the
format mode, and then press the Execute key. The for-
mat line can be revised anywhere within a document,
for such purposes as creating tables. The primary for-
mat, or any alternate format you have established, can
then be recalled when needed.

362 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Version 2.0 permits handling pagination either as you
enter text by highlighting a suggested page break or at
the end of the document's entry. For example, when text
entry reaches line 55, enough text to fill a standard 8V2-
by 11-inch sheet of paper leaving adequate margins, the
system sounds a tone and highlights the status line. You
can then either enter a page break with the Page func-
tion key or continue text entry and set pagination when
you're finished typing the document.

Using the function keys marked Previous and Next,
you can scroll through a document screen by screen.
When you move from one screen to the next, three lines
of the previous screen's text appear at the top of the
screen. A paging symbol signifies page separation. This
logical method makes you aware of page breaks, al-
though you are actually scrolling through screens rather
than pages, and thus simulates the way you would page
through a manuscript.

Global search and replace, a function incorporating
both the search and the replace functions, requires that
you position the cursor under the first character of the
string you want to replace, hold down the Shift key, and
press the Replace function key. While you move the cur-
sor through the string you want replaced, its characters
axe highlighted. The screen then prompts, "Replace it?"
and you have the option of performing an automatic
global replace throughout the document or a selective
replace.

I tested the speed of the automatic-replace function
by entering a 200-word English-language document and
copying it onto 10 screen pages, creating a 2000-word
document. The last word on each page, the German
word "Geschwindigkeit," I replaced with its English
translation: speed. From the initial point of pushing the
Shift and Replace keys to the replacement of the last
occurrence of the word Geschwindigkeit, the procedure
took 51 seconds. I then tested to see how quickly I could
"page" through this same document. It took 32 seconds
to scroll from page 1 to page 10.

The insert function is a bit unusual. When you press
the Insert function key, all characters except the 29 im-
mediately following the cursor disappear from the
screen. Those 29 characters appear in the left-hand bot-
tom of the screen while text is inserted. This movement
may startle some first-time users, causing them to think
that they've lost part of their text.

You can recall menus during text entry to select all the
command functions and character attributes, including
boldface, underscore, double underscore, subscript, and
superscript. Photo 6 shows a menu displayed on a Wang
PC monitor. You can use command functions and char-
acter-attribute automodes, however, without accessing
those menus. The commands and automodes work well
and are easy to use. Character attributes are displayed
accurately on the screen, with boldface characters shown
in reverse video.

The Wang word-processing program does not display
right-hand justification, however, which might cause
problems for some users. Instead, justification is handled

Hang Professional Coapoter
S V 8 T E H UTILITIES MENU

Select en It*a and Proctnd

■ Change Date

. Change tkfault Driv

. Cor..- .

„ Copy 1 FiU

., Copy a File with Append

. Delete a Fill

.. Directory Display

- Directory - Change Path
„ Di --*

_ Directory - Kenove Pa
» Fornat a Disk

b Hodify Systen Henus

. Path - Select Alternates

- RentM a File

- Mrite Verify

- Other

SPACE BAR - Its
EXECUTE - Pro
CAKCEL - Pre

Photo 3: The menu of utility programs included in Wang's version
of the MS-DOS operating system.

"'.. .'

Il Coaewtcr

* a n E H u

R.lea*. 1.00

SPACE BAH - It™ S»t«ct
EXECl/rE - Proctid
CJWCEl - Cr»vi<«» *•*

I

Photo 4: A menu of application programs in Wang's version of MS-
DOS.

» Eliir

9 FidlUpUtz 4, 4300 ttainn

* Uett Cemtny<

4

»Hnst of us. inventing in wwll business computer* do not want to ha
spend day*, and soe^tinnsevwunnkt, teaching, ourselves how operate thee.
The point, after all, of purchasing. a computer with word processing
capabilities is to Bake our working Uvw men nore productive, to achi
with the least amount of effort, toe amt utount of work. And at ton v-
ttee to leprov* the quality of the work M do produce. The word precetsii .
software produced by Hang Laboratories, for Uniting PC It designed. with the
end denanding end user in nind. , All software features art easily I"
Ue first session. 5on*,u*er» nay find, they do not. even Bend, to i
dDawnUtion before . putting, nany of . the HP features . to. work . . Ittny features
need only single key, stroke . cotuntfs . . ...

Photo 5: An example of text produced by Wang's word-processing
program. The summary line and format line are at the top. Spaces
are indicated with half-intensity periods.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 363

Photo 6: A menu of commands for Wang's word-processing program.

during printing.

Another feature of the word-processing package, the
glossary function, will be used extensively in offices by
professionals who have much correspondence or pre-
pare many documents. This function permits you to
recall and insert, at any point in a document, an un-
limited amount of standard text and editing formats. It
is useful, for example, for often-used tables and forms.
Learning how to use the glossary feature might take
more time for a novice than learning any of the system's
other word-processing features, but anyone who takes
advantage of it will discover that preparing and using
a glossary will help save time by eliminating much
repetitive typing. The glossary is easily recalled with two
keystrokes.

For copying and moving a string or block of text, four
separate operations are available: copy, move, super
copy, and super move. The copy and move functions af-
fect text within one document and are handled with
Copy and Move function keys. The super copy and super
move functions, however, involve transfers between
documents, which may be on the same disk or on dif-
ferent ones.

When you are finished with text entry or editing, you
push Cancel, to which the screen responds "End of
Edit?" If it is, you push Execute. Then a "rearranging"
statement briefly appears on the screen, followed by the
main word-processing menu. Executing the Print Docu-
ment option brings you to the printing menu. After
you've selected various printing options (number of
originals, page length, margin setting, character set,
pitch, justification, form type, and lines/inch) and
pressed Execute, printing starts instantaneously.

Version 2.0 has a menu for document handling: copy
doc, delete doc, and prepare new disk (format a disk).
This menu is convenient to use and saves time, especially
when the system is using only floppy disks. You do not
have to go out of the word-processing program and back
into the operating system to perform these operations.

Another feature of version 2.0 is a spelling checker
with a 30,000-word dictionary that you can customize.

The software also performs an alphanumeric sort for
a maximum of eight pages of 4000 characters each, sort-
ing as many as four fields in one pass. Also available
is a math function that performs multiplication, division,
addition, and subtraction in columns and rows, pro-
viding totals, subtotals, grand totals, and verification of
previously computed data. Because version 2.0 requires
128K bytes of memory, Wang Laboratories suggests that
you start with 256K bytes of system memory.

Applications Software

Options include FORTRAN, Pascal, and COBOL com-
pilers and a macroassembler. In addition, Multiplan, a
financial planning and modeling package, has been
licensed from Microsoft for use on the Wang PC. Also,
Wang has recently released PC Notebook, a highly flex-
ible database using an unstructured data format.

One of the first programs Wang Laboratories devel-
oped for the PC is communications software for asyn-
chronous and synchronous communications, opening
the way for Wang workstation emulations and remote
Wangnet applications.

With the 3276 SNA/SDLC and 3270 BSC (Bisync) soft-
ware packages, the Wang PC can function as a remote
terminal, communicating with host mainframe com-
puters and the IBM 3287 and 3284 printers. The pack-
ages permit the Wang PC to actively interact with many
IBM mainframe systems, accessing host application pro-
grams or timesharing options, without changing the host
application programs. Both of these emulation packages
also support the IBM 3278 terminal keyboard.

Much third-party software is also available for the
Wang PC. Peachrree Software Inc. has released a number
of business packages. Among them are Inventory Man-
agement, Accounts Payable, Job Costing, Sales Invoic-
ing, and Payroll programs. Available, too, is 1-2-3, a com-
bination database, business graphics, and spreadsheet
package from Lotus Development Corporation, as well
as TK Solver, a mathematical-calculation package de-
signed for financial planners, designers, and engineers.
In the Software Connections program, Wang Laborator-
ies has released an industry/applications-software cross-
reference to aid in matching users' needs with available
software.

This brings us to that big question of IBM PC/Wang
PC software compatibility. Both systems use the same
operating system, disk media, and microprocessor (the
Wang PC uses the 8086; the IBM PC, the 8088). The con-
tents, therefore, of any disks written by the IBM PC can
be read by the Wang PC. And as long as an application
program written for the IBM PC does not circumvent the
I/O (input/output) facilities of the operating system, the
Wang PC is fully compatible with the IBM PC.

But very rigorous market conditions have compelled
some independent software companies to target applica-
tions software for use on a specific computer. Examples
are those programs that were developed specifically for

364 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983 365

use on the IBM PC, taking advantage of machine-depen-
dent capabilities. Techniques used in developing a ma-
chine-dependent software package include bypassing
the operating system's I/O capabilities, the use of
keyboard-specific function keys and display-specific at-
tributes, and the use of machine-specific subroutines in
the BIOS (basic input/output system), ROM (read-only
memory), or PC-DOS. Therefore, not all application
packages developed for the IBM PC will operate on the
Wang PC without modification. But because the Wang
PC and the IBM PC use the same type of operating sys-
tem, microprocessor, and disk media, machine-depen-
dent packages can be easily modified through the soft-
ware source code. For those programs that do not

The documentation supplied with

the Wang PC does not talk down

to readers to the point of

insulting them.

operate on the Wang PC, Wang Laboratories suggests
that you request the software's vendor to modify them,
because source code is generally not available to
customers. And since Wang released the technical
reference manual for the Wang PC, it has become a sim-
ple matter for a software developer to make such modi-
fications.

System Expansion

The basic unit has five expansion slots. RAM (random-
access read/write memory) is expandable to 640K bytes.
If you install a CP/M emulation card, which has a Z80
microprocessor, the system can use applications software
written for the CP/M-80 operating system. Two types of
video cards can be used: the Wang monitor card (for
Wang's monochrome monitor) or an industry-standard
graphics card that supports any RGB (red-green-blue)
monitor or NTSC (National Television System Commit-
tee) black-and-white or color television. The unit can
house a 5 Va -inch, 10-megabyte Winchester disk drive
with controller card. The basic system also includes an
industry-standard parallel port for connecting a printer
and an RS-232C asynchronous serial port for terminal
emulation and remote or internal communications.

When you use the Wang PC with the 3276 SNA/SDLC
and 3270 BSC emulation software, you will need a multi-
port communications card, a modem cable, and an
RS-232C/CCITT V.24 modem.

The system software sends the eighth bit of each byte
to the printer to take advantage of the international
character set and dot-addressable printers for graphics
capabilities. Because it sends the eighth bit, however, it
is not fully operable with all printers on the market. The
four printer drivers within the operating system solve
that problem to a large degree. The two general printer
drivers, however, do not support all possible printer
{unctions. I have been using the Epson FX-80 matrix
printer, which, with the one exception of the

double-underscore function, fully supports the system's
word-processing software. I would think, though, that
manufacturers are rushing to make their printers com-
patible with as many systems as possible. Therefore,
many other compatible printers are probably available
now.

Documentation

The documentation supplied with the Wang PC does
not suffer from the problems that much of the documen-
tation written over the past few years experienced. It is
not weighed down by an overabundance of user-friend-
liness, nor does it talk down to readers to the point of
insulting them. Instead, The Introductory Guide is
thorough and logically organized. It may, in fact, prove
too thorough for some users. The manual is, however,
written for everyone, covering the spectrum of required
information from such basic material as how to insert
a floppy disk to batch processing in the DOS command
processor. As in all the documentation provided, illustra-
tions, a table of contents, appendixes, and an index are
supplied.

The BASIC Language Guide, provided with the system,
is a straightforward manual designed for use by pro-
grammers familiar with standard BASIC programming.
For the user who has the time, The Word Processing Train-
ing Guide covers all of the word-processing package's fea-
tures. I found that an efficient way to quickly learn to
use the package is to instead go through the WP Reference
Guide. All of the system documentation comes in loose-
leaf binders, making the insertion of updates and user
notes convenient.

Prices

The basic Wang Professional Computer, Model PC 001,
provides 128K bytes of memory, a 5V4-inch floppy-disk
drive with 360K bytes of storage, the MS-DOS operating
system, Interpretive BASIC, and a keyboard. It costs
$2595.

The Wang PC 002 includes those features plus a mono-
chrome monitor and controller for $3265. Adding a sec-
ond drive to the PC 002 configuration produces the PC
003. This costs $3790, comparing favorably with a similar-
ly equipped IBM PC, which sells for $3800.

These prices include diagnostics software and docu-
mentation but not applications software. For $650, Wang
sells a Software Productivity Package, which includes
Multiplan, Wang Word Processing, and asynchronous-
communications software. Wang also sells program-
ming-language interpreters and compilers as well as
many applications-software packages. A CP/M card costs
$600, and a 10-megabyte Winchester disk drive with a
controller sells for $2385.

Summary and Conclusions

The Wang PC system, based on 128K bytes of RAM,
the 16-bit 8086 microprocessor, and MS-DOS 2.0, a 16-bit
operating system, was designed to meet the rapidly
growing hardware demands of a new generation of soft-

366 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

ZERO TO MULTIPLAN

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MICROSOFT™

Microsoft is a registered trademark, and Multi-Tool.
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ware. For example, some users may think that a mini-
mum requirement of 128K bytes for a word-processing
application is excessive. Trends in software development,
which provide new features (many approaching high-
end dedicated word processors and typesetting systems)
to less sophisticated users, however, will require at least
this amount.

The system processor is powerful and fast. To test its
speed, I ran the BASIC version of the Sieve of
Eratosthenes prime-number program (see the January
1983 BYTE, page 286, listing 5) as a benchmark test. For
10 iterations of the Sieve program, the results were 940
seconds— less than half the time required for the IBM
PC running Integer BASIC with an 8-bit bus at 4.77 MHz,
according to the results published in the BYTE article.
Speed is, of course, only one of many criteria to use
when evaluating the performance of small systems.
When considering soon-to-come hardware and user-
friendly software developments, however, this factor
takes on greater importance.

The Wang-developed word-processing program is
superb. You would be hard-pressed to find a PC word-
processing program that so successfully combines such
ease of use with such sophisticated features.

Wang Laboratories designed the PC to adapt to all
business and technical environments. The use of a
nonstandard (read non-IBM) expansion-card format
might prove a shortcoming, though. The availability of

the technical reference manual, however, should rectify
that problem.

Moreover, the Professional Computer is designed to
be incorporated into Wang systems. As more PC systems
are used in large-business environments, interconnect-
ing with mainframes will be a growing demand. Wang
has addressed that requirement already.

In the first half of 1984, Wang plans to release a local
interconnection option, a combination of hardware and
software that will permit Wang PCs to run in a shared
mode. Each repeater card will support as many as eight
PCs, and repeaters will be able to interconnect via
RG-62A coaxial cable. This option will thus allow a total
of 24 PCs to be interconnected.

Wang Laboratories has also produced some high-
quality applications software, and the company is ac-
tively encouraging development of third-party software,
much of which is already on the market. Thus, the
amount of software available for the Wang PC should
grow steadily. ■

Photos 2 through 6 in this article are courtesy of Elphotec Computer Systems
(Schiessgarten Str. 7, 6500, Mainz, West Germany).

Elaine Long (Fichteplatz 4, 6500, Mainz, West Germany) has a B.A. in Com-
munications from the University of Delaware. She is an assistant editor at
International Publications GmbH.

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368 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Six things you can do
with your obsolete floppies.

Floppies were fine in their day.
But they just don't make sense
with the professional desktop
computers of today.

What's the answer? The
DMA 360 removable 5%" Win-
chester It's exactly the same
size as a 5%" half-height floppy
drive-but that's where the
similarity stops.

The DMA 360 gives you hard-
disk reliability. Floppies don't.

The DMA 360 protects your
data in a totally sealed cartridge.
Floppies don't.

The DMA 360 packs 7.5
megabytes on a single ANSI-
standard cartridge. Floppies
don't. Ittakes up to 25 floppy disks
to achieve an equal capacity.

Fall '83

Winchester.

See us at Comdex
booth number 166.

The DMA 360 even has a
lower cost-per-megabyte than
a floppy. But it gives you so
much more.

Like an average access time
of 98 milliseconds. A transfer
rate of 625 kilobytes per second
And an error rate
that's on par with the
most reliable con-
ventional Winchester
disk drives.

There's no way
you'd get that kind of
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Introducing ATARISOFT™ A new
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If you own a Commodore VIC 20
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Some games also available on
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Now your computer fits
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DONKEY KONG, Mario and NINTENDO are trademarks and ©
Nintendo 1981. 1983. PAC-MAN and characters are trademarks
of Bally Midway Mfg. Co. sublicensed to Atari, Inc. by Namco-
America. Inc. DEFENDER is a trademark of Williams Electronics.
Inc. , manufactured under license from Williams Electronics, Inc.
ROBOTHON: 2084 is a trademark and O of Williams 1982. manu-
factured under license from Williams Electronics. Inc. STARGATE
is a trademark and © of Williams 1981. manufactured under license
from Williams Electronics. Inc. DIG DUG is created and designed
byNamcoLtd. manufactured under license by Atari, Inc. Trade-
marks and© Namco 1982. PROTECTOR II is a trademark of Syn-
apse Software Corporation, manufactured under license by Atari.
Inc. SHAMUS is a trademark of Synapse Software Corporation,
manufactured under license by Atari, Inc. PICNIC PARANOIA is a
trademark of Synapse Software Corporation, manufactured by
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ATARISOFT™ products are manufactured by Atari, Inc. for use on
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© 1983 Atari, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Software Review

In Search of
the Most Amazing Thing

An adventure game proves that the IBM PC isn't all business
(the game also runs on Apple, Atari, and Commodore 64 machines)

by Elaine Holden

The advertisement reads: "Finally, aliens kids can
reason with instead of destroy." Fulfilling that promise
for children and adults accustomed to shoot-' em-up
space games is a tall order. Intrigued but somewhat
skeptical, I took the program home, plugged it into my
IBM PC, and went on an adventure. And what an
adventure!

In Search of the Most Amazing Thing was created by
Tom Snyder Productions and is sold by Spinnaker Soft-
ware. This educational adventure game encompasses an
entire world called Porquatz. Half the world is very dull,
but the other half, called the Darksome Mire, is covered

Photo 1: Uncle Smoke's apartment. The chest next to Uncle con-
tains treasures that can be auctioned off to the Metallicans.

by a "near mist," filled with deadly mire crabs,
fascinating tribes, unusual and varied terrain, and er-
ratic winds.

The game offers you this world to explore in your
quest for a hidden object, and its consideration to details
is extensive. The graphics are delightful and beautifully
done. Along with them are comments and hints given
by various citizens of Porquatz. Some clues are merely
helpful, others are lighthearted as well. I delight in this
type of adventure after being subjected to grimly deter-
mined games with a do-or-die, blast-them-out-of-the-
sky attitude. If you don't want to be fighting star wars
for the rest of your life, this adventure is right on the
money.

The Journey Begins

The game involves a nonviolent search for an object
called the Most Amazing Thing, lost by Uncle Smoke
Bailey many years ago. Uncle Smoke, wishing you to
bring this Most Amazing Thing back to his home in
Metallica (a city in the Darksome Mire), provides you
with a B-liner, a combination hot-air balloon and dune
buggy. You must fly through storms, drive over land
covered with bogs, deal with aliens, and create music
before finding the Most Amazing Thing. Uncle Smoke
also gives you plenty of advice as well as a jet pack for
short trips outside the B-liner.

Every player begins the game atop a cement island
in the middle of the Darksome Mire, standing next to
the B-liner and a trap door. I entered the door and took

372 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Photo 2: The Metallican auction. The slippery folks pictured here can barter you out of treasures given to you by Uncle Smoke.

a nearby elevator to the underground city of Metallica.
The elevator allowed three stopping points: Uncle
Smoke's apartment, the Galactic store, and the great
Metallica auction. My first stop was the usual courtesy
call to relatives in the neighborhood (see photo 1).
Politeness paid off. Uncle Smoke gave me a clue to the
whereabouts of the Most Amazing Thing and a petrified
clam shell from Trellis Bog. Uncle suggested I sell the
latter and keep notes of the clue. Bringing my relic to
the auction (see photo 2), I proceeded to dicker with the
Metallicans for the best price. (It took me a number of
games to learn how to adjust my prices to realistic levels,
and in the meantime those cagey fellows made off with
several of my best treasures. The moral? Greed does not
pay. Here's a hint: the auctioneer takes a single number
from one to nine only.)

Eventually I accumulated sufficient chips for a trip to
the Galactic Store. (All items and prices are listed in the
instruction booklet as well as on the screen.) It is
necessary to read the descriptions of items carefully.
Some, such as the software packages Musix and Dicto,
are necessary to communicate with the various cultures
you will encounter and should be purchased. Others,
such as the ultrasonic robot dog groomer, are luxury
items only.

Inside the B-liner

Your first goal is to fully equip the B-liner (see photo
3) prior to takeoff. In order to maneuver, the machine
needs navigation equipment, which must be purchased
at the Galactic Store. You (the pilot) decide which meters
to buy for outfitting the control panel (photo 4), then
count your chips and begin purchasing software for the
B-liner's on-board computer. And don't forget such
packages as Musix and Dicto; surprisingly enough,
several adults I know got into the game with a fully
equipped flight-control panel and found themselves suc-
cessfully flying over the Mire, but when they encoun-
tered aliens, they had no way to ask them clues or direc-
tions. (Conclusion: decision-making skills can be learned
at all ages.)

After the B-liner is equipped, you are ready for take-
off. While flying over the Darksome Mire, you must
carefully consider wind direction. The winds come from
different directions at various heights, necessitating
moving the B-liner up or down until the proper direc-
tion is found.

Interspaced with huts and mire crabs are night rocks
and popberry trees for fuel and food, respectively. To
fuel the ship, I had to land the B-liner on one of these
rocks, get out, jockey my jet pack to the drill platform,

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 373

Photo 3: The interior of the B-liner. Once in this compartment you
can give various commands to operate the liner, leave, or communicate
with different cultures.

and fuel up. Much the same procedure is required to
eat (see photo 5), except that once I took the popberry
off the tree, it often sank into the bog before I could
navigate the jet pack down to it. Bitterly I watched a
12-year-old execute the maneuver perfectly and well
within the time limit. Through perseverance, I managed
to feed myself and then returned to the ship.

A Computer within a Computer

The software for the B-liner' s computer is one of the
most exciting parts of the game. The Map-H software,
for example, locates every hut in the Mire. The Cults
software contains facts about the people of each Mire
culture, and Dicto translates important words and
phrases used by all 25 cultures in the Darksome Mire.
Musix is the software that shows you how to create
songs, which are used for trading with the Mire cultures.

All cultures speak with their antennae. Dicto software
shows the different shapes made to form words while
also providing the corresponding tones. Six basic
phrases are common to all cultures, but the symbols of
each vary, according to the culture. Thus, the phrase
"What is your quest?" can be expected from any cul-
ture, but the antenna patterns and tones vary.

Because each culture trades in Musix, you can make
a song to trade with a culture in return for information.
To do so, you draw any shape you want using the ar-
row keys, and when you finish, the picture and corre-
sponding tones are played back, ready for trade. Cults
software informs you as to the type of Musix the culture
prefers.

World without End

Most adults experienced at playing computer games
can complete this adventure in 10 to 12 hours. Two or
more 10-year-olds (up to an entire class) working
together can get through it in 20 to 30 hours. Lest you
think the game can be shelved once you've found the

Photo 4: The flight-control panel of the B-liner.

Most Amazing Thing, tricky ol' Tom Snyder, creator of
this highly enjoyable fantasy, has designed the program
to change the location of the Most Amazing Thing every
time the game is played. You can, of course, stop the
game any time you wish and save your position so as
to return later and carry on where you left off.

The adventures and experiences are richly entertain-
ing and vary tremendously each time you play. The
game convinces me that in an adventure violence is un-
necessary to keep the imagination and intellect
enthralled.

Adventure in the Classroom

In Search of the Most Amazing Thing should not be
considered just an adventure game, however. The edu-
cational applications are numerous and, to a teacher,
just as exciting.

One of the battles teachers fight every day is getting
students to understand the value of note taking. To be
able to instantly produce a historic date or obscure fact
is not reason enough for most students to perform the
exhaustive task of putting pen to paper.

Since this fact dawned on educators, they have been
frantically trying to find relevant and interesting infor-
mation that students will wish to retain. This program
should provide the important motivation necessary for
teaching note taking. Adventurers must recall, for ex-
ample, all the advice from Uncle Smoke as well as in-
formation about the various cultures. Careful records
must be kept on music preferences and antenna pat-
terns. Organization of these notes for quick reference
is critical.

Records of the amount of chips in your possession also
prove very handy. Basic math is required when deal-
ing with chips both during the auction and when trading
with the cultures in the Mire. Players must further ex-
ercise their computational skills when evaluating meter
readings and interpreting map coordinates.

374 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Photo 5: An adventurer (in jet pack) leaves the liner and flies to a popberry tree to eat. (Navigation takes talent; find a 12-year-old to show
you how.)

Map-making and map-reading skills, essential to the
study of any culture, are also an important part of this
game. Often children do not recognize the value of maps
because many school systems today do not have ade-
quate geography programs. The world of In Search of
the Most Amazing Thing may be one of the few places
a child can painlessly learn the basic skills as well as the
value of map reading.

Cultures are always associated with maps and travel.
The game's 25 cultures prefer different types of music,
speak different languages, and impart various pieces of
advice. They also teach a valuable lesson. Underneath
the dissimilar culture trappings, such as music and
language, the cultures are in many ways the same.

Young people often don't get to see beyond the super-
ficial differences between societies and seldom recognize
the tremendous similarities of all people. Social-studies
programs try to go beyond those differences; this game
is another tool to help them succeed.

Throughout the adventure, decisions must be made.
Good decision making is a learned skill; it isn't just ran-
domly acquired. A simulation game, setting up decision-
making situations, enables students to evaluate alterna-
tives and make judgments. In real life, poor decisions
can be costly or dangerous; in simulation games, stu-
dents can get experience without undue punishment for
errors.

In Search of the Most Amazing Thing also encourages
reading by including a storybook. Players do not have
to read the book to go on the adventure. Once you start
adventuring, though, this book, written at about the

fifth-grade level, is a delightful addition to the program.
The computer simulates the planet's environment, and
the book complements it with details and background
information.

Name Your System

The program runs on a 64K-byte IBM PC, a 48K-byte
Apple, and a 48K-byte Atari. I have found that most fea-
tures of the game are identical for all three microcom-
puters, but although the Atari has excellent sound
qualities, it runs the slowest of the three. The Apple is
second in speed, and the IBM PC is by far the fastest.

Map-making and map-reading

skills are also an important part

of this game.

It also has the capacity for a much wider variation in
sounds. I would certainly recommend the game for use
on any of these systems, but if you own an IBM PC and
have been dutifully handling bookkeeping transactions,
be advised: the IBM isn't just for business any more.
The PC and the Most Amazing Thing seem to be made
for each other. (Although a translation is now available
for the Commodore 64, an overview of its performance
is not included in this discussion.)

Summary

In Search of the Most Amazing Thing is an exciting
adventure filled with interaction among cultures, har-
rowing balloon flights, and opportunities for creating

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 375

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At a Glance

Name

In Search of the Most Amazing Thing

Type

A learning/adventure game

Manufacturer

Spinnaker Software Corporation
215 First St.
Cambridge, MA 02142
(617) 868-4700

Price

S39.95

Format

5 'A -inch floppy disk

Documentation

14-page instruction booklet, 76-page storybook, and a quick-
reference card for your specific computer

Language

BASIC

Computer Needed

Apple II, II Plus, or He; Atari 800 or 1200, Commodore 64, or
IBM Personal Computer

Audience

Adventurers, ages 10 to adult; teachers, especially in social studies
and world cultures or those dealing with gifted and talented
students

music, making judgments, and traveling over an entire
world.

The graphics in the program are well designed and
executed.

In addition to providing a colorful adventure, the
game is a valuable educational tool. Successful players
take notes, employ mathematical skills, and initiate
social interactions.

An accompanying storybook rounds out the educa-
tional aspects of the program; it is nonthreatening,
however, simply because its use is optional.

The program has wide appeal for ages 10 through
adult. Educators can benefit from this program by in-
volving an entire class in the adventure.

In Search of the Most Amazing Thing also clearly
points out the versatility of the IBM PC as an educational
tool, a recreational computer, and a business machine.

I highly recommend this game for the educational op-
portunities it provides as well as the exciting yet non-
violent adventures. A player can be taught valuable
skills through this program and have a terrific time as
well.B

Elaine Holden (22 Elm St., Peterborough, NH 03458) is supervisor of
reading and language arts at the Merrimack School District, Merrimack, New
Hampshire.

376 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 313 on inquiry card.

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Hire a former Peace Corps volunteer, and put that
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Peace Corps

The toughest job youll ever love.

A Public Service of This Publication

Coincil

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w;

hen many of us think about
color graphics, we often think in
terms of one of the popular com-
puters that has built-in color graphics
capabilities. Connected to a color TV
or monitor, these machines indeed
put on a dazzling color display. From
games to computer-assisted design,
color is a great enhancement for near-
ly all interactive or real-time com-
puter applications.

Another use of color graphics,
however, is the creation and subse-
quent transfer of graphic images to
photographic film. Here we are more
apt to be concerned with resolution
and color quality (see photos 1, 2,
and 3) than we are with interactive
considerations. Specific applications
of computer-to-film recording include
preparation of transparencies for
educational or business presenta-
tions (see photos 4 and 5), creation
of serious works of art, and, if you
have a great deal of patience, the
making of animated films.

The process described here is not
particularly easy to employ, at least
not at first. The drawing and editing
processes are tricky and can be
tedious, and you must be prepared
to spend some time fiddling with the
camera, tripod, filters, and other
equipment. But the quality of the
final product is unquestionably
superior to simple display photog-
raphy; compared with other, non-
computer means of preparing de-
tailed graphics, the time involved is
minimal. For owners of black-and-
white computers, this is also a means
of getting into color graphics with a
small investment. All of the photos
in this article were produced using
this process.

Photographing a color TV screen or
monitor has some serious limitations.
You can, of course, simply set a
camera in front of the display and
snap the shutter. But pictures tend to
be grainy, colors tend to bleed, and,

Photo 1: A simulated three-dimensional col-
or triangle showing gradations of color and
shading between red, green, and blue was
created by a color-separation process on the
black-and-white screen of an Osborne 1 por-
table computer.

380 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

with many microcomputers, you are
restricted to a relatively few colors on
the screen at one time. Subtle hues
and realistic shading are not avail-
able. Of course, the more money you
invest in equipment, the better your
pictures can be because larger sys-
tems enable use of more colors and
expensive RGB (red-green-blue)
monitors minimize graininess and
bleeding. The method I use, however,
lets you create color pictures with the
sharpness inherent in a good black-
and-white monitor, with as many col-
ors as you want in every picture. The
method can be employed with vir-
tually any personal computer on the
market, using a black-and-white
monitor or TV. All of the photos ac-
companying this article were made
with an Osborne 1 computer and
photographed from its built-in
monitor.

The key to this process is color
separation. Any color picture can be
broken down into three monochrome
images that later can be recombined
to form the original color picture. In
the early days of color photography,
three black-and-white negatives were
exposed simultaneously through red,
green, and blue filters; these nega-
tives were then used to make super-
imposed images on paper with cyan,
magenta, and yellow dyes (the com-
plementary colors of red, green, and
blue). Modern color films consist of
a sandwich of cyan, magenta, and
yellow monochrome images. Televi-
sions and monitors use a variation of
this process: red, green, and blue im-
ages are received by the TV and cause
red, green, and blue dots to light up
on the screen. By varying the inten-
sities of each of the three primary col-
ors, a full range of colors is created.

Color-separation techniques are
not new in computers. Sophisticated
(and expensive) systems have been
used for several years to produce very
high-resolution pictures and films
such as Disney's Tron. The computer
separates a color image into three

Photo 2: "Fish and Coral" is an example of
the artistic capabilities of the author and his
process. This image was created without using
the subtle shading shown in photo 1.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 381

black-and-white images, each of
which is then displayed separately on
a very high-resolution black-and-
white monitor and then combined
photographically onto color film.
Recently, Polaroid has introduced
special photographic hardware that
similarly makes high-resolution hard
copy of color computer graphics.

The technique outlined here is an
inexpensive, do-it-yourself applica-
tion of color-separation photography
for microcomputers. The only extra
"hardware" you need, besides a
camera, is a set of color-separation
filters: Kodak wratten #29 (red), #61
(green), and #47B (blue). A genuine
black-and-white display is needed;
green or amber screens create serious
problems with color balance. Listing
1 and this article should help you
develop a program in BASIC that will
run on your computer and let you
create a picture containing up to 1000
different colors. The text box at left
guides you through the actual dis-
play and photography processes.

A program to employ this tech-
nique consists of two parts. The first
part is a drawing program that
creates a color picture in the memory
of the computer while simultaneous-
ly drawing a black-and-white approx-
imation of that picture on the screen.
The picture in memory will be saved
as an x,y dimensioned array that con-
tains a color code and character code
(in low-resolution mode) for each pix-
el. The second part of the program
(or a separate program) then
Text continued on page 392

Listing 1: The Supercolor program in MBAS1C for the Osborne 1. A few items are machine-dependent; see the text for details.

Using the Supercolor Program

1. Insert the MBASIC disk in drive A; insert the disk with the Supercolor program in
drive B; if you're creating a new picture, be sure the disk in drive B has enough space
(you can use as much as 24K bytes).

2. First menu: Choose whether you are creating a new picture, modifying an existing
picture (disk or memory), or doing photography (disk or memory).

3. Provide a standard filename for a new or stored picture when prompted.

4. Choose the screen mode when prompted: mode one is screen one with only a rectangular
symbol available; mode two is screen two only, full-character operation, black background
only; mode three uses two screens, block character in screen one for background colors,
full-character operation in screen two; mode four is full-character operation in both screens-
use this for putting two characters in one pixel.

5. Enter a three-digit color code for background (000 in modes one and two) when asked.

6. Choose which screen to edit when asked; begin usually with screen two, which is the
main picture screen.

7. Editing commands: # enters into lettering mode from graphics mode; esc returns to
graphics mode; tab brings up the "color" prompt; enter a three-digit color code for characters
to be drawn and then key Return. Press any letter key to choose a graphics symbol, accord-
ing to the keyboard scheme in the Osborne users manual; use arrow keys to enter that
character in the previously chosen color as many times as desired. I saves characters on
screen one instead of screen two; key % to return to screen two. Use the ( key to see what
is on screen one; use the ) key to return to screen two. Push the space bar to move the
cursor across the screen and to read colors recorded for each location; return to drawing
mode by selecting a new character. The hyphen key enters delete mode; choose another
character to return. + saves the picture to disk and returns to editing. Key esc to save
and quit.

Note: Keep an eye on the "bytes =" prompt. If the number of free bytes approaches zero,
save the picture to disk, restart the program, and reload from disk.

8. Photographing a picture: Use the "focus-grid" prompt to standardize the brightness
of the screen with an exposure meter (e.g., adjust brightness so that the needles match
at l/15th second at f 3.5 for ISO 64 film); use the "preview" prompt to center the picture
with the camera. When the "ready to photograph (red first-push return)" prompt appears,
put a red filter over the camera lens, check the settings (try fll for ISO 64 film), turn
off the lights, key Return. At the end of six beeps, lock open the shutter.

When the last of the red picture disappears from the screen, put a green filter over the
camera lens (the camera shutter is still open), key 0. When the green picture disappears,
put a blue filter on the lens. After the blue picture, close the shutter and key Return.
Cross your fingers and develop the film.

10

20

25

30

40

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

GOT

Y = I

IF

IF

BK%

DIM

HOM

PRI

PR

PR

PR

PR

PR

IN

ON

W=

0 70

NT( (A-HOME)/12
SCREEN=2 THEN
T=32 THEN C$ (X
(X,Y)=T:RETURN
C$ (52,23) ,K$(
E=61568 ! :REM
NT CHR$ (26) :PR

8) :X=A-HOME-Y*128

K$ (X,Y)=KL$:L% (X ,Y) =T : RETURN

,Y)=CB$ ELSE C$(X,Y)=KL$

52,23),L%(52,23),BK%(52,23)

UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PICTURE AREA*

INT "MENU"
INT "1. CREATE PICTURE"

INT "2. PHOTOGRAPH PICTURE FROM DISK"
INT "3. MODIFY EXISTING PICTURE FROM DISK"
INT "4. PHOTOGRAPH PICTURE FROM MEMORY"
INT "5. MODIFY EXISTING PICTURE IN MEMORY"
PUT "TYPE NUMBER OF SELECTION" ; N

0,2100,630,2120

"NAME OF NEW PICTURE" ; PICT$

"TYPE NUMB
N GOTO 170,46
1 :PRINT:INPUT

382 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Listing 1 continued on page 384
Circle 284 on inquiry card. >

I

I

I

1 1

•TO

I

I

Introducing the capability the world has
been waiting for. A single personal com-
puter able to handle Apple'1 IBM ,l!
TRS-80," UNIX™ andCP/M" based
software.

The Dimension 68000 Professional
Personal Computer does it all. It actually
contains the microprocessors found in all
of today's popular personal computers.
And a dramatic innovation creates the
environment that these systems function
merely by plugging in the software.

Add to this the incredible power of a
32 bit MC68(XX) microprocessor with up
to 16 megabytes of random access

memory.

Dimension. At about the same price
as the IBM B PC. it's obviously the best
value you can find. For more informa-
tion ask your dealer or call us at (214)
630-2562 for the name of your nearest
dealer.

dimension

A product of Micro Craft Corporation
4747 Irving Blvd.. Suite 241
Dallas. Texas 75247. ' 1983

I

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0/

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l]

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rrrrrrrrrr*

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iJSlJ5l3c5

Sr Jhi ^»J*Ti

TCK

\

; IBM is a registered trade
m company: UNIX is a tn

oi' International Business Machines Corporation: TRS-80 is a
irk pf Hell Laboratories, Inc.: Cl'/M is a registered trademark <

Listing 1 continued:

180 PRINT "MODE MENU"

190 PRINT "1. BACKGROUND/PATTERN"

200 PRINT "2. FOREGROUND ONLY"

210 PRINT "3. FOREGROUND AND BACKGROUND"

220 PRINT "4. DOUBLE MODE"

230 INPUT "TYPE NUMBER OF CHOICE" ; MODE

240 PRINT CHR$ (26) : INPUT "SET BACKGROUND COLOR"; CB$

245 PRINT"WAIT - INITIALIZING"

250 FOR Y=0 TO 22

260 FOR X=0 TO 51

270 IF MODE=l THEN C$(X,Y)=CB$

272 IF MODE=2 THEN K$ (X , Y) =CB$ : L% (X , Y) =32

274 IF MODE=3 THEN C$ (X , Y) =CB$ : K$ (X , Y) = "" : L% (X , Y) =32

276 IF MODE=4 THEN C$ (X , Y) ="000 " : K$ (X , Y) ="000 " : L% (X , Y) =32 : BK% (X , Y) =32

290 NEXT X

300 NEXT Y

310 GOTO 2120

320 GOSUB 340

330 GOTO 90

340 OPEN "0",1,PICT$

350 PRINT #1, MODE;","; CB$

360 FOR Y= 0 TO 22

370 FOR X=0 TO 51

380 IF MODE=l THEN PRINT #1, C$(X,Y)

390 IF MODE=2 THEN PRINT #1, K$ (X , Y) ; " , " ; L% (X , Y)

400 IF MODE=3 THEN PRINT #1, C$ (X , Y) ; " , " ; K$ (X , Y) ; " , " ; L% (X , Y)

410 IF MODE=4 THEN PRINT #1, C$ (X , Y) ; " , " ; K$ (X , Y) ; " , " ; L% (X , Y) ; " , " ; BK% (X , Y)

420 NEXT X

430 NEXT Y

440 CLOSE

450 RETURN

460 PRINT CHR$ (26)

470 INPUT "NAME OF PICTURE TO PHOTOGRAPH" ; PICT$

480 GOSUB 500

490 GOTO 630

500 OPEN "I",1,PICT$

510 INPUT #1, MODE,CB$

515 PRINT CHR$(26); "LOADING LINE #"

520 FOR Y=0 TO 22

530 FOR X=0 TO 51

540 IF MODE=l THEN INPUT #1, C$(X,Y)

550 IF MODE = 2 THEN INPUT #1, K$ (X , Y) , L% (X , Y)

560 IF MODE = 3 THEN INPUT #1 ,C$ (X , Y) ,K$ (X , Y) , L% (X , Y)

570 IF MODE = 4 THEN INPUT #1, C$ (X , Y) , K$ (X , Y) , L% (X , Y) , BK% (X , Y)

590 NEXT X

595 PRINT Y;CHR$ (30)

600 NEXT Y

610 CLOSE

620 RETURN

630 PRINT CHR$ (26)

640 REM *FOCUS SCREEN*

650 INPUT " DO YOU WANT THE FOCUS GRID";GRD$

660 IF GRD$="Y" THEN 680 ELSE 770

680 FOR Y=0 TO 23

690 FOR X=0 TO 51

700 POKE HOME+X+Y*128 ,22

710 NEXT X

720 NEXT Y

730 X=25:Y=ll:POKE HOME+X+128*Y ,0

740 X=0:Y=0: POKE HOME+X+128 *Y , 0

750 X=51:Y=0:POKE HOME+X+128 *Y , 0

Listing 1 continued on page 386

384 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

lastnight we exchanged letters with

momjhen had a party for

eleven people in nine different states

and Only hadto wash One Glass...

That's CompuServe, The
Personal Communications
Network For Every Computer
Owner

And it doesn't matter what kind
of computer you own. You'll use
CompuServe's Electronic Mail system
(we call it Email™) to compose, edit and
send letters to friends or business
associates. The system delivers any
number of messages to other users
anywhere in North America.

Circle 94 on inquiry card.

CompuServe's multi-channel CB
simulator brings distant friends together
and gets new friendships started. You
can even use a scrambler if you have a
secret you don't want to share. Special
interest groups meet regularly to trade
information on hardware, software and
hobbies from photography to cooking
and you can sell, swap and post personal
notices on the bulletin board.

There's all this and much more
on the CompuServe Information Service.
All you need is a computer, a modem,

and CompuServe. CompuServe connects
with almost any type or brand of
personal computer or terminal and
many communicating word processors.
To receive an illustrated guide to
CompuServe and learn how you can
subscribe, contact or call:

CompuServe

Consumer Information Service, P. O. Box 20212
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd., Columbus. OH 43220

800-848-8199

In Ohio call 614-457-0802.
An H&R Block Company

BYTE December 1983 385

Listing 1 continued:

760

770

780

800

810

820

830

840

850

860

870

880

890

895

900

910

930

940

950

960

965

970

975

980

990

995

1000

1010

1030

1035

1040

1045

1050

1060

1070

1075

1080

1090

1100

1110

1130

1135

1140

1145

1150

1160

1165

1170

1180

1200

1205

1210

1215

1220

1230

1250

1260

1270

1280

1290

1295

INPUT Q$

INPUT "DO YOU WANT TO PREVIEW PICTURE" ; PRV$

IF PRV$="Y" THEN GOSUB 2140 ELSE GOTO 810

INPUT "ANY CORRECTIONS";CORR$:IF CORR$="Y" THEN GOTO 2290

PRINT CHR$ (26) : INPUT "READY TO PHOTOGRAPH (RED FIRST-PUSH RETURN) "; ANS$

PRINT CHR$ (26)

FOR N=0 TO 5

PRINT CHR$ (7)

FOR T=l TO 1000:NEXT T

NEXT N

HOME, 32

PRINT CHR$ (26) :POKE

IF MODE=2 THEN 1080

IF MODE<4 THEN S=22

N=HOME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF MODE=4 THEN S=BK%(X,Y)

R=VAL(LEFT$ (C$ (X,Y) ,1) )

IF R=0 THEN 965

POKE N,S

N=N+1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

FOR T=l TO 9

N=HOME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF T>=VAL(LEFT$ (C$ (X,Y) ,1) )

N=N+1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

NEXT T

IF MODE=l THEN 1250

N=HOME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF L%(X,Y)=32 THEN 1135

IF VAL(LEFT$ (K$(X,Y) ,1))=0

POKE N,L%(X,Y)

N=N+1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

FOR T=l TO 9

N=HOME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF T>=VAL(LEFT$ (K$ (X,Y) ,1) )

N=N+1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

NEXT T

I$=INKEY$

IF I$="0"

GOTO 1250

IF MODE=2

IF MODE<4

N=HOME

THEN POKE N,32

THEN 1135

THEN POKE

N,32

THEN GOTO 1280

THEN
THEN

1480
S = 22

Listing 1 continued on page 388

386 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Extend your rea

...make the/
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BA-Z 33 . TI-BB 52

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TI-35-SP 17 Jgip/ TI-5040-Z 49

TI-MBA 30 ~j TI-5130 60

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TI-57 29 °MO;> TI-LCD-Prog 50

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B2164A HPIL/RS-232C Interface 235

82168AHPIL Acoustic Modem 395

82169A HPIL/HP1B Interface 315

82700A 8K Mem. Module 150

HP-41CX
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The great features of the 41CV

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• Time Module Functions

• Extended Functions Module

• Enhanced Text [ASCII]
FILE EDITOR

HP-41C .
HP-41CV

S145
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Optical Wand 95

Card Reader 145

Printer 283

Quad R.A.M.ffor HP41C]. .60
Ext. Memory Module .... 60
Ext. Function Module. . . .60
Time Module 60

Mfr Sugg

Elek-Tek

HP-IL Loop Module

125

95

Digital Cassette Drive

450

335

Printer/PlotterfHP-IL)

450

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SLIMLINE Shirtpocket Styled

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HP-10C Scientific (New) .... $54

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Listing 1 continued:

1300
1310
1330
1340
1350
1360
1365
1370
1375
1380
1390
1395
1400
1410
1430
1435
1440
1445
1450
1460
1470
1475
1480
1490
1510
1530
1535
1540
1545
1550
1560
1565
1570
1580
1600
1605
1610
1615
1620
1630
1650
1660
1670
1680
1690
1695
1700
1710
1730
1740
1750
1760
1770
1775
1780
1790
1795
1800
1810
1830
1835

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF M0DE=4 THEN S=BK%(X,Y)

G=VAL(MID$ (C$ (X,Y) ,2,1))

IF G=0 THEN GOTO 1365

POKE N,S

N=N+1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

FOR T=l TO 9

N=H0ME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF T>=VAL(MID$ (C$ (X,Y)

N=N+1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

NEXT T

IF M0DE=1 THEN 1650

N=HOME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF VAL(MID$ (K$ (X,Y) ,2,

POKE N,L%(X,Y)

N=N + 1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

FOR T=l TO 9

N=HOME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

,2,1) ) THEN POKE N,32

1))=0 THEN 1535

IF T=>VAL(MID$ (K$ (X,Y) ,2,1) )

N=N+1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

NEXT T

I$=INKEY$

IF I$="0" THEN GOTO 1680

GOTO 1650

IF M0DE=2 THEN 1880

IF M0DE<4 THEN S=22

N=H0ME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF M0DE=4 THEN S=BK%(X,Y)

B=VAL(RIGHT$ (C$ (X,Y) ,1) )

IF B=0 THEN 1770

POKE N,S

N=N+1: NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

FOR T=l TO 9

N=HOME

FOR Y=0

FOR X=0

THEN POKE N,32

TO 22

TO 51

IF T=VAL(RIGHT$ (C$ (X,Y) ,1) )
N=N+1

THEN POKE N,32
Listing 1 continued on page 390

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 256 on inquiry card.

KEY TRONIC

POLISHES THE

APPLE IT KEYBOARD

Eleven Function Keys
Streamline Multiple

Key Operations

Keys in Familiar
Typewriter Locations

Full Shifting Capability

Numeric Pad

Knhance your APPLE IP Computer System with a Key Tronic keyboard peripheral.

This detached, low-profile keyboard is plug-compatible with the existing keyboard socket

of the Apple II. It also features reliable microprocessor electronics, solid-state

capacitance switches, and positive tactile feedback.

Special keyboard available (0

Apple II Is a rei'isli

irk dl Apple Compute

key tronic

Suggested Retail Price: $298,00

To order Model Kll-200 call Toll Free l'8OO-262»80O6
for the retailer closest to you. (7am-3pm Pacific Time)
Warranty information may be obtained, free of
charge, by writing to the address below.

THE RESPONSIVE KEYBOARD COMPANY

DEPT.E1 • P.O. BOX 14687 • SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 99214 USA

RETAILERS: For the Distributor in your area, call Toll Free 1-800-262-6006 Dept. D (7am-3pm Pacific Time)

COME SEE US AT COMDEX, BOOTH #2979.

Listing 1 continued:

1840

1845

1850

1860

1870

1875

1880

1890

1900

1910

1930

1940

1945

1950

1960

1965

1970

1980

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2030

2040

2090

2100

2110

2120

2130

2140

2150

2160

2170

2180

2190

2200

2210

2220

2230

2240

2250

2260

2270

2280

2290

2300

2305

2307

2310

2320

2330

2340

2350

2360

2365

2370

2380

2390

TAB (1

2400

THEN 1940

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

NEXT T

IF M0DE=1 THEN 2040

N=HOME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF L%(X,Y)=32 THEN 1940

IF VAL(RIGHT$ (K$ (X,Y) ,1) ) =0

POKE N,L% (X,Y)

N=N+1:NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

FOR T=l TO 9

N=HOME

FOR Y=0 TO 22

FOR X=0 TO 51

IF T=VAL(RIGHT$ (K$ (X,Y) ,1) ) THEN POKE N,32

N=N+1

NEXT X

N=N+76

NEXT Y

NEXT T

G$=INKEY$:IF INKEY$="" THEN 2040

GOTO 90

INPUT "NAME OF PICTURE TO MODIFY" ; PICT$

GOSUB 500

GOSUB 2140

GOTO 2290

INPUT"SHOW BACKGROUND (1) OR FOREGROUND ( 2 )"; SCREEN

PRINT CHR$ (26)

FOR X=0 TO 51

POKE HOME+X+128,42:

FOR Y=l TO 21

POKE HOME+Y*128,42:

IF W=l THEN 2280

FOR Y=2 TO 21

FOR X=l TO 50

N=HOME+X+128*Y

IF SCREEN=1 THEN D=BK%(X,Y)

POKE N,D

NEXT X

NEXT Y

W=0: RETURN

A=HOME+258

POKE A,0

PRINT "COLOR=";KL$;TAB (12) "BYTES= " ; FRE (0 ) ;

PRINT TAB(30) "SYMBOLS"; TAB(44) "SCREEN= "; SCREEN; CHR$ (30 )

A$=INKEY$:IF LEN(A$)=0 THEN 2310

IF A$=CHR$(12) THEN POKE A,T:GOSUB 20:A=A+1
A$=CHR$(8) THEN POKE A,T:GOSUB 20:A=A-1
A$=CHR$(11) THEN POKE A,T:GOSUB 20:A=A-128

A,T:GOSUB 20:A=A+128

POKE HOME+X+2816,42:NEXT X

POKE

HOME+Y*128 + 51 ,42

NEXT Y

ELSE D=L% (X,Y)

IF

IF

IF

IF

IF

IF

IF

IF

2)

IF

A$=CHR$ (10)
A$=" " THEN
A$="-" THEN
A$="+" THEN
A$=CHR$ (9)

POKE
2640

THEN
GOTO
T=32

GOSUB 340
THEN GOSUB

2490

A$="!n THEN SCREEN=1:PRINT "COLOR=" ; KL$;
"PRINTING ALTERNATE SCREEN" ; CHR$ (30 )
A$="%" THEN SCREEN=2:GOTO 2305

Listing 1 continued on page 392

390 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

LOW-COST RS-232 NETWORKING.

THE ANY-PORT-TO-ANY-PORT
SIMRT SWITCH J895.

PRINTER

MODEM

^Blil llBil

CPU

CPU

Here's an affordable way to
switch up to eight RS-232 ports
in any interconnection. Any port
can select any other port, with up
to four pairs of ports communi-
cating at the same time. Push-
buttons define each port as either
DTE or DCE, for quick and
easy installation.

The Smart Switch is controlled
by simple user-
friendly com-
mands. A
2- character
sequence lets
you select a

port, determine status, and log-off.
If the selected port is busy it's
smart enough to let you know
when that port is available.
What's more, it can optionally time-
out connected ports not in use.
Use the Smart Switch to cre-
ate your own low-cost network
linking a number of terminals,
printers or computers. Use it
to give as
many as
seven users

rum

access to a single I/O port on your
computer, or six users access to
two different computer systems.
Or use it with any distributed
computer environment.

lb learn more about the SS-8
Smart Switch, call David Shum-
way toll-free at (800) 854-7226.
In California call (714) 979-0363.
Or write Western Telematic,
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Or telex 467741.

□ western

D telematic inc.

See us at Comdex Booth #2112.

Circle 455 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

391

Listing 1 continued:

2410 IF A$="?
IF

IF
IF
IF
IF

2420

2430

2440

2460

2470

2480

2490

PRINT

2500

2510

2520

2530

2540

2550

2560

2570

2580

2590

2600

2610

2620

2630

2640

2650

2660

II

THEN
THEN
THEN
THEN

A$="("

A$=")n

A$="#n

A$=CHR$ (27)

ASC(A$)>=64
GOTO 2300

PRINT CHR$ (27) + ") ";CHR$ (30)
CHR$ (27) + " (";CHR$ (30)

T=127

SCREEN=l:GOSUB

SCREEN=2:GOSUB

GOSUB 2510

THEN GOTO 320: REM

THEN T=ASC(A$)-64

2150
2150

*PUSH ESC TO SAVE, QUIT*

:INPUT "COLOR=";KL$

2670
2680
2700
2710
2720
2730
2735
2736
2740

LETTERING MODE" ; CHR$ (30 )
2520

RETURN

PRINT" color=";KL$; "

B$=INKEY$:IF LEN(B$)=0 THEN

IF B$=CHR$(27) THEN RETURN

IF B$=CHR$(8) THEN A=A-l:POKE A,0:POKE A+l,32:GOTO 2520

IF B$=CHR$(12) THEN A=A+l:POKE A,0:POKE A-l,32:GOTO 2520

IF B$=CHR$(11) THEN A=A-128:POKE A,0:POKE A+128 , 32 :GOTO 2520

IF B$=CHR$(10) THEN A=A+128:POKE A,0:POKE A-128 , 32 :GOTO 2520

IF B$=CHR$(9) THEN GOSUB 2490

T=ASC(B$)

POKE A,T

GOSUB 20

A=A+l:POKE A,0

GOTO 2520

PRINT " COLOR SCAN";CHR$ (30)

Y=INT( (A-HOME)/128) : X=A-HOME-Y*128

PRINT "C0L0R=";K$ (X,Y) ;TAB(15) "BACKGROUND = ";C$(X,Y);

";CHR$ (30)
TEMP=L% (X,Y)

J$=INKEY$:IF J$=n" THEN 2680

IF J$=CHR$(12) THEN A=A+l:POKE A,0:POKE A-l ,TEMP:GOTO 2650
J$=CHR$(8) THEN A=A-l:POKE A,0:POKE A+l , TEMP:GOTO 2650
J$=CHR$(11) THEN A=A-128:POKE A,0:POKE A+128 ,TEMP:GOTO 2650

THEN A=A+128:POKE A,0:POKE A-128 ,TEMP:GOTO 2650

THEN T=ASC(J$)-64:GOTO 2305

T=32:GOTO 2305

IF

IF
IF
IF
IF

J$=CHR$ (10)
ASC(J$) >=64
J$="-" THEN

GOTO 2680

Text continued from page 382:

separates the picture into three black-
and-white images, which represent
the three primary colors, and
displays them one at a time for the
camera.

The critical element of the program
is the color code, which consists of
three digits, representing red, green,
and blue color values. Each digit can
vary from 0 to 9 and determines how
long a pixel or character will be
brightened on the screen. This
coding gives 10 intensities for each of
the primary colors, which can be
combined to create a broad range of
subtle hues and shading. For exam-
ple, pure, brilliant red is represented
by the code 900, and a dull, dark red
is 100. The code 550 mixes equal
quantities of red and green to create
yellow, 640 and 730 results in two
orange values, and so on.

The first part of the program
creates the color picture. Actually,
practically any picture-drawing or
plotting program can be adapted for
color. You need only a pair of
subroutines to define a color for each
pixel as you draw it. My drawing pro-
gram sets up a number of drawing
statements within an INKEY$ loop.
You choose a color, and all parts of
the picture drawn subsequently will
have that color until a different color
is chosen. The three-digit color code
in effect remains displayed at the top
of the screen.

10

20
30
40

50

1

A$ = INKEY$:if LEN(A$) = 0
THEN 10

(drawing commands)

IF A$ = CHR$(9) THEN

100

GOSUB 100:*REM CHR$(9)
is the TAB key*
INPUT "COLOR";KL$:PRINT
CHR$(30):RETURN

The second subroutine saves to
memory both the color code and the
character code for each point as it is
entered:

20 Y = INT(A-HOME)/128):X =

A-HOME-Y*T28
30 K$(X,Y) = KL$:L%(X,Y)=T:REM

T IS THE CHARACTER

CODE*
40 RETURN

(Note: HOME is the memory address
of the upper left-hand corner of the
video display. When adapting this
program for computers other than
Osborne, be sure to change the

392 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 405 on inquiry card.

IT'S EASY TO LEARN . . . EASY TO USE . . .
AND DURING OUR SUNDOWN PROMOTION

INCREDIBLY EASY TO BUY!!
And, now pre-wrapped for you in SPECIAL

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Sundex programs can work alone or together to help
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portfolio management, analysis, and tax form
preparation.

PERSONAL PAYABLES -Have fun with the Sundex
program that automatically pays all your bills from
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All these programs are now available for Apple II,
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The Sundex special prices last until February 5th.
But, don't wait to buy. The prices go up every two

weeks, so THE SOONER YOU BUY THE LESS YOU PAY.
Ask your dealer to let you try this remarkable
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But hurry . . . you can still SAVE UP TO 50%
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THERE S NOTHING EASIER UNDER THE SUN

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Dealer inquiries welcome:

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Colorado: 303-440-3600

Photo 3: Low-resolution graphics are not a serious limitation for fine-art applications because
of the double-screen mode and shading capabilities. These simulated three-dimensional struc-
tures are nothing more than juxtaposed parallelograms and other shapes with varying shades,
drawn on alternate screens. Diagonal edges are formed where complementary right triangles
on alternate screens share a diagonal series of pixels.

HOME value in line 80, viewable
screen size in line 70, and maximum
screen width, 128 on the Osborne,
wherever mentioned.)

Once the picture has been created
as a dimensioned array, you can save
it in a disk file or display it for
photographing. To photograph each
of the three monochrome screens,
first clear the screen and eliminate
the cursor.

5 PRINT CHR$(26):POKE
HOME,32

Then use the following routine to
display the monochrome image for
all red values in the picture (the left-
most digit of color code).

5 N=HOME

10 FOR Y = 0TO22: FOR X = 0
TO 51

20 IF VAL(LEFT$(K$(X,Y),1)) = 0
THEN 40

30 POKE N, L%(X,Y)

40 N = N+1

50 NEXT X

55 N = N + 76: REM *ON THE
OSBORNE 52-COLUMN
SCREEN THERE ARE 76
SPACES FROM THE END
OF ONE LINE TO THE
BEGINNING OF THE NEXT

(52+76 = 128)*
60 NEXT Y
70 FORT = lTO9
85 N = HOME
80 FOR Y = 0 TO 22:

FORX=0TO51
90 IF T > = VAL(LEFT$(K$(X,Y),1))

THEN POKE N,32
100 N = N + 1:NEXTX
110 N = N + 76:NEXTY
120 NEXTT

This routine is then repeated for
the green and blue screens. Begin-
ning with line 70, you go through the
screen nine times. With the first pass,
you delete all characters with red
values of 1. On the second pass, you
delete all characters with red values
of 2, and so on, until the picture is
completely blanked out. With this
mechanism, you can mix 10 different
intensity values within the same
screen. Displaying and photo-
graphing all three screens in this
manner takes 6-7 minutes in
MBASIC.

Using Two Screens

When using low-resolution
graphics characters, it is sometimes
desirable to put two different
characters of different colors in the
same rectangular pixel. The diagonal
edges of the blocks in photos 1 and
3 were done this way, filling each rec-
tangle along the edge with two com-
plementary right triangles of different
colors. You must use two separate
screens for each color, defining half
of each block on one screen and the
other half of the block on the other
screen, switching back and forth be-
tween the screens while drawing the
picture. Lettering must be white or a
lighter version of the background col-
or because it is "burned in" over the

394 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

DISKS
COME

THE HARD PART IS MAKING SURE
THEYSTAYTHATWAY.

A disk is built with certain safeguards. That's why most disk makers
offer guarantees that the product you receive comes to you error free.
We at Memtek Products are concerned that the minidisk remains
error free. Every time you use it. After exposure to dust, cigarette
smoke, fingerprints, even wear caused by your computer. And so, we
have built safeguards around the disk, as well.

Memtek Products' latest innovation...
acknowledgment of a real world
beyond the laboratory.

The hub ring. Designed to prevent our minidisks from jam-
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The coating. A critically-controlled coating of high-energy
magnetic oxide particles that covers the disk's surface, which is then
micro-polished to improve head to disk contact, preventing
dropouts, lowering head abrasion.
The lubrication system. A constant lubricant protects both the
disk surface and the drive head from wear.
The sleeve. Comes with a soft liner that protects the disk while
gently cleaning the surface.

The guarantee.

We'll replace, free, any
minidisk if it fails to

accurately store and
retrieve data due to a

defect in materials or

workmanship for up to
5 years from date of
purchase. Simply mail the
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The Memtek lineup.
Premium, double and quad
density minidisks as well as 10-
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head cleaner.

WEPLAY
FORKEEPS

Photo 4: Snappy color slides for business or educational presentations can be made easily
with "black-and-white" business systems and a set of color filters.

Photo 5: The popular white-on-blue graphics format usually produced with special film is
done easily with a simple double exposure. First, a white screen is photographed through a
blue filter, then white graphics on a black background are "burned in" with a second exposure.
Any background color can be used with white or lightly colored lettering.

background (photo 5). Any color of
lettering can be used on a black
background.

Color Separation with
Color Systems

You also can use this separation
technique with a standard color com-
puter and color monitor. The editing
process is easier because you can see

on the monitor the colors you're
using. However, the picture you save
in memory can contain more color in-
formation than the picture you see on
your monitor. You have to have two
parallel color-selection mechanisms
in your program. For example, an
area that you color solid red on the
monitor might include shading from
dark red to light red in the picture be-

ing created in memory. You will see
the latter only after you've photo-
graphed the picture. Be sure to
switch to a black-and-white monitor
for the photography.

Using High-Resolution Modes

The approach described in this ar-
ticle works fine with the Osborne's
low-resolution graphics characters
because of the relatively small
number of memory locations re-
quired. The 52-by-22 display results
in 1144 pixels that must be addressed
on each screen, and each pixel re-
quires 12 bytes to fully define three
colors and character code in the two-
screen mode, or about 13K bytes of
RAM (random-access read/write
memory). Typical high -resolution
modes provide for about 320 by 200,
or 64,000 pixels. There's no need for
character codes or a two-screen mode
with high-resolution systems, but
1000-color capability requires 3 bytes
per pixel, or about 180K bytes of
memory. With a 64K-byte machine
like the Osborne, you would have to
transfer the picture piecemeal to and
from the disk.

The sheer number of pixels that
must be selectively turned on and off
for each of the three screens would
mean a prolonged exposure time (I
estimate at least 6-7 hours in
MBASIC). Faster 16-bit or 32-bit pro-
cessors and compiled programming
help to reduce this problem. Com-
puters that display a range of gray
tones are ideal for this application, as
each screen can be displayed and
photographed in a few seconds,
eliminating the need to scan the pic-
ture nine times for different intensi-
ty values. For everyone with "old-
fashioned" 8-bit, 64K-byte-or-less
computers, I suggest starting with
low-resolution graphics. Perhaps you
might want to take up the challenge
of color separation with high-
resolution graphics as your proficien-
cy grows. ■

Frederick B. Essig holds a Ph.D. in botany.
He is an associate professor in the Department
of Biology at the University of South Florida,
Tampa, FL 33620.

396 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 356 on inquiry card.

P RlOSfVI 0 D E M

hl'I«]lir|r|l||[J

Time for your computer to make the telephone con-
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baud modem - with a real time clock/calendar -
and with the capability to expand into a com-
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PRO-MODEM 1200. Much more than just a phone
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unattended, at preset times when the rates are
lower. . .with or without your computer.

Compare the $495 PRO-MODEM 1 200 with any other
modem on the market. For example, you'd have to
buy both the Hayes Smartmodem 1200 plus their
Chronograph for about $950 to get a modem with
time base.

PRO-MODEM 1200 is easy to use. A convenient
"Help" command displays the Menu of operating
command choices for quick reference whenever
there's a question about what to do next. Extensive
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system is operating properly. Some of the other
standard features include Auto Answer, Touch
Tone and Pulse Dialing, and Programmable Intelli-
gent Dialing.

PRO-MODEM does more. It lets you build a full tele-
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Business/Personal Phone Directory, Program-
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Alpha-Numeric Time and Message Display, and
versatile PRO-COM Software. PRO-MODEM com-
mands are Hayes compatible so you can use most
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There's much more to the PRO-MODEM story. See
your local dealer for complete details. He'll show
you how to save time. And money.

Prometheus Products, Inc., 45277 Fremont Blvd.,
Fremont CA 94538, (415) 490-2370

i - : : • 1 1 . n

See it at Comdex booths H728 & H7442.

Collector ^Edition

T

The Byte covers shown below are available as beautiful Collector Edition Prints.
Each full color print is 11 in. x ]4 in., including a 1 1/2 in. border, and is part of an
edition strictly limited to 500 prints. Each print is faithfully reproduced from the
original painting on museum quality acid-free paper, and is personally inspected,
signed and numbered by the artist, Robert Tinney. A Certificate of Authenticity
accompanies each print attesting to its quality and limited number.

Collector Edition Prints are carefully packaged flat to avoid bending, and are
shipped first class. The price of each print is $25, plus $3 per shipment for postage
and handling ($8 overseas). The prints are also available as 4-print sets: Set 9-12,
Set 13-16, and Set 17-20. Each set costs $80, plus postage and handling.

To order your own favorite Byte cover as a beautiful Collector Edition Print, use
the convenient coupon below. Visa or MasterCard orders may call 1-504-272-7266.

#17 Winter Computing $25 # 18 Seventeen Seventy-Six $25 #19 Crystal Ball $25 #20 Digital Arts $25

#13 Future Computers? $25

#14

Smalltalk

#15

Software

59S& "^

#16 Chip Building $25

# 10 Programming Route

-

^

•

^

•

#

1 Forth $

25

#12

Future Past

Please send me the following Prints ($25) , or Sets ($80) .

QTY.

TITLE & PRINT NO.

postage & handling $3.00 (Overseas $8.00)
TOTAL

AMOUNT

$

$

$

$

$

$,

$

□ I have enclosed check or money order.

□ Visa □ MasterCard

Card No.

Exp. Date:

SHIP MY PRINTS TO:

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Mail this coupon to:

robert tinney graphics

1864 N. Pamela Drive
Baton Rouge, LA
70815

-Zip:.

Circle 429 on inquiry card.

J9V

'•".|V|V

'**£?

MEDICAL FILE
MANAGEMENT

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Mainframe to Micro:
Adapting a Financial-Modeling

Language

A mainframe software company moving into
the microcomputer world must change more than its software

The era of the microcomputer is
changing the character of computing.
Images of Big Brother and the Penta-
gon have given way to Matthew
Broderick innocently bringing the
world to the brink using his home
computer in the movie WarGames.
Gone are the stories of huge pro-
grams created by highly trained
teams of computer scientists in think
tanks, replaced by reports of 20-year-
old college dropouts making it big in
video games (see the text box "When
Worlds Collide: Social Aspects of the
Move to Micros" on page 402).

The success of microcomputers
guarantees the attention of big

Issues Affecting the User

Directly and the Designer Indirectly

•greatly enhanced visual display capabilities

of the microcomputer

•increased "housekeeping" associated with

the microcomputer

•limitations of job size

•greatly increased difficulty in obtaining direct

product support from the software developer

•data security

Issues Affecting the

Designer and Publisher Directly

• product distribution channels
•product support demands
•organizational role, training, and personali-
ty profile for the typical user
•piracy

Table 1: Some issues that distinguish
microcomputer software from mainframe
software and the groups affected.

by Greg Dunn

business. Workers having microcom-
puters at home find it saves them
labor in bookkeeping and word pro-
cessing, provides games for fun and
relaxation, and offers educational op-
portunities in self-paced tutorials on
almost every subject. These people
soon fit microcomputers into their of-
fice budgets. The compelling logic of
distributed processing is making the
microcomputer an integral part of the
computing resource in companies all
over the world. And, as the micro-
computer moves into the office, soft-
ware developers face new challenges
in translating existing mainframe
software to the microcomputer en-
vironment.

From the Developer's Viewpoint

A number of issues distinguish
microcomputer software from main-
frame software. Some primarily con-
cern the software designer and pub-
lisher, while others also concern the
user (see table 1). The designer must
exploit the special opportunities pro-
vided by the microcomputer and
minimize any negative consequences
of its limitations.

Enhanced Display Capabilities

The mainframe computer's strength
lies in its ability to do computations
rapidly, to handle large quantities of
data, to secure data by means of pass-
word protection schemes, and to let
many users access a common data
library simultaneously. A main-

frame's central processor can access
large amounts of both directly ad-
dressable and peripheral memory
rapidly, and it has a data-word size
that permits high precision even after
repetitive recomputation.

The mainframe's resources permit
number crunching on a large scale.
However, handling input and output
to users becomes a necessary evil,
because any resource directed toward
that activity steals from the resources
used for computations or file access.
While this also holds true for a micro-
computer, one important difference
changes the job of the software
developer. The mainframe communi-
cates with a remote CRT (cathode-ray
tube) through a transmission line,
limited, practically speaking, to a rate
of 9600 bps (bits per second). A
microcomputer talks to the screen at
a memory-write rate of about 4.7
megabytes per second. Whenever the
mainframe's central processor is oc-
cupied with I/O (input/output) to the
user's terminal through this 9600-bps
bottleneck, a lot of RAM (random-
access read/write memory) as well as
hard disks with rapid-access periph-
eral memory must wait. When the
central processor paints menus or
pictures on the user's video display,
several megabytes stand idle— a high
cost for user interface.

Compare this to a microcomputer,
where the central processor can write
to the screen as fast as it writes to
memory and more rapidly than it can

400 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

communicate with peripheral mem-
ory. Software developers can easily
afford to use system resources to sup-
port elaborate user interfaces. And
those interfaces make a world of dif-
ference in who uses the computer,
and for what.

Mainframe software typically puts
a high premium on abstract, sym-
bolic thought. A user must not only
know what he wants but also the
command to execute the desired ac-
tion. Mainframe tools are complex
and typically require a substantial
time investment for a user to acquire
the skills necessary to do serious
computation.

On a microcomputer, the program-
mer makes things easier for the user.
Instead of terse symbolic word com-
mands, the user gets "ring" menus
or pictures. At any point in the pro-
gram, users have options displayed
on the screen. Even if you use a sys-
tem only once every six months, you
still can do useful work.

The 9600-bps Blues

The microcomputer has enabled us
to do things that, while technically

Standard color graphics with the IFPS/Personal package.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 401

feasible on a mainframe, have not
been practical because of resource
constraints. For example, Execucom
Inc. has adapted its mainframe fin-
ancial-modeling package, Interactive
Financial Planning System, or IFPS,
to run on microcomputers. Van Van
Cleve, a programmer for the IFPS/
Personal project, says, "On a main-
frame, there is a great disparity in the
relative capacities for I/O and com-
putation—and even more between
disk-type I/O and user [CRT screen]
I/O. On the mainframe you're run-
ning to the disk a lot faster than the
data rate. As for computations, if
you're doing 32 bits instead of 16 bits,
you have a great improvement: more
than 2-to-l. Bigger words are better
for doing crunching operations, but
not necessarily for things like strings
and characters.

"The best I can get at my video dis-
play from a mainframe is a set of
codes at 9600 bps. When you start
getting more than 9600 bps, the reli-
ability of the transmission line starts
to go down. People do 19,200 bps
now, but that's pretty special purpose
and expensive. It's expensive to run
high speed across distance. And you
still can't even get close to the speed
of communication between the cen-
tral processor and memory.

"On the microcomputer you have
a slow disk and a fast screen: a total-
ly different environment. If we want
to talk about [computational-bound]
operations and normal I/O, you've
got a much slower machine. But
when you step into the I/O-intensive
world of user interface, you have all
the I/O capacity you need. It's not a
burden the way it is on the main-
frame."

The mainframe is at its best in
operations in which the central pro-
cessor communicates with memory
or with the disk, rather than with the
CRT. The microcomputer can talk to
the screen as rapidly as it talks to
memory. The screen is directly mem-
ory-mapped. With that method,
complete information describing the
current state of the screen remains
present in memory. Could you de-
sign a mainframe that way?

"Yes, you could," says Van Cleve.
"The problem is that, if you want to

write a mainframe program, you
have to know the characteristics of
every terminal that will be used to
talk to it."

Because it never made sense to
design a mainframe to optimize its
screen I/O capabilities, the practical
limitations of designing complex,
screen-intensive user interfaces loom
even larger than the theoretical
limitations (those resulting directly
from the transmission-speed limita-
tions). Appropriate data structures
for storing images are not automati-
cally provided in the same way they
are in a microcomputer, so they have
to be created by the programmers.
Says Van Cleve:

"Suppose I want to window a
screen in the two systems. If I step in-
to the IBM PC world, I can make a
direct call to BIOS [basic input/out-
put system] to scroll. I can scroll
quickly to any designated area in the
screen I want. If I want to simulate
that in the mainframe, yes, I can do
it. I can keep a screen image in an ar-
ray, and I can manipulate it and then
flash the results out the data-rate line.
But I'm doing a lot of computation,
I'm doing a lot of itty-bitty move-
ment, and generating a number of
different I/O calls. I can't do this all
in one I/O call— fill a buffer full of a
lot of things with carriage returns. In
a mainframe environment I have to
do it in a sequence of I/O calls. I can't
control the screen directly. The best
I can do is send it a bunch of ASCII
[American National Standard Code
for Information Interchange] charac-
ters that the mainframe then has to
interpret in some kind of code to pro-
duce something: lines, charts, text,
menus, whatever.

"On a microcomputer, on the other
hand, you have the memory-map
capability— you can write directly to
the screen and produce an image at
memory-loading speed, which is
several orders of magnitude greater
than 9600 bps. On a mainframe, I
can't read back from my terminal in
terms of user I/O. I write something
to the screen: I have to remember
what was there. On a microcomputer
you can use the screen as a work-
space. You can read back what you've
written."

When Worlds

Collide:

Social Aspects of

the Move to Micros

Mainframes and microcomputers have
long inhabited separate spheres. When
these worlds meet, the people involved in
them must make some adjustments. Says
Execucom's president, jerry Wagner,
"Mainframe people have a certain style,
they have a certain mentality relative to
thoroughness of documentation, specifica-
tions, all the things that go along with
large-systems development. That kind of
workstyle doesn't work well in the micro
world. At least, it hasn't historically."

Many microcomputer owners take com-
fort in the thought that their entire system
sits on a desk in front of them. For some,
it removes feelings of intimidation they've
had toward computers; for others, the joy
is in the sense of having complete control
of the resource. Wade Shaw of Execucom,
who comes from a mainframe background,
views microcomputers differently:

"I find it uncomfortable to think that the
whole thing is sitting right there because
I'm used to being on the other end of an
organization. In a mainframe environment
you have a group of people on the other
end that are providing your service, and
they buffer some aspects of the computer.
To have to go in and put a cable on drives
me bananas.

"I don't like to get my hands in the hard-
ware. That's not my job. I've spent my time
specializing in software design, and to ask
me to actually go in there and change a
card— that just blows me away. I feel it's
a waste of my training."

Mark Wood at Execucom presents a view
that may reconcile some of the differences
between microcomputer enthusiasts who
love to swap chips and solder connections
and mainframe software specialists like
Shaw: "It satisfies a basic human need to
understand something completely, to form
a gestalt of it.

"Look at this terminal that I work on
here (which communicates with a remote
Prime minicomputer). It has a wire that
goes through the wall and when I'm sit-
ting at the terminal I'm working with a
tool, part of which is behind that wall. As
a casual user, if I don't know about com-
puters, hard disks, communications de-
vices, front ends, packet networks, and
whatever else, then there is no way I can

402 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

have a complete picture of the tool I'm
using. All I know is, here's part of it, and
there's something else behind that wall.
"The difference between this kind of user
and somebody like Wade Shaw is: he
already knows what's on the other end of
that wire. He's got a master's degree in
computer science. In his mind he has a pic-
ture of the complete tool. But for the casual
user, it's different. He's using something
he doesn't completely understand, and he
knoivs somebody else has control of part of
it."

Micro Myths

Developer Shaw talks about some of the
myths surrounding microcomputers:

"There are a couple of curious notions
surrounding microcomputers. One of them
is that microcomputers are going to save
the world from the big, bad, expensive
mainframes and minicomputers. There's a
bit of holiness in there, somehow— that it
shouldn't cost that much to do computing,
that it's everybody's intrinsic right.

"The other myth is that everybody's go-
ing to get rich off of their microcomputer—
that every person is a budding computer
entrepreneur just waiting to put his or her
fingers on the keys and produce a master-
piece that's going to revolutionize the world
and make him a millionaire overnight.

"Even though I think there's a lot of
bunk in these notions, I enjoy them: at the
very least, they're changing the image of
programmers. For a long time, program-
mers have been regarded as clerks, because
the first jobs that computers did were to
replace clerical jobs. Now, with more peo-
ple getting involved [in computing], the
level of appreciation for what programmers
do has been raised."

Microcomputer users' prejudices get into
the act, though. Says Shaw, "There's a
kind of disgust on the part of some of the
younger programmers regarding comput-
ing in the mainframe and minicomputer
marketplace. Some of the younger program-
mers make it clear that they really don't
want to be involved with mainframes and
minicomputers— they're not even curious.
It's as though large computers are the past,
and mainframe people and corporations
aren't going to have any impact on the
future. They just don't want to have any-
thing to do with the mainframe world or
the past. It's kind of unsettling, because
it means they won't benefit from lessons
already learned."

Will microcomputers bring computing to
the executive's desk? Wagner doesn't think

so. "If, say, 5 percent of IFPS [Interac-
tive Financial Planning System] users now
are executives, that might increase to 10
percent with the IBM PC, but the number
will never be significant. It's not a matter
of ease of use, knowing computers, or of
MBAs moving into management ranks. It's
strictly a matter of time and culture. When
you become an executive, it's not a part of
the culture to use these kinds of tools.

"The time element closely associates with
the cultural factor. To sit down at a ter-
minal and write models, interrogate mod-
els, etc., is time-consuming. An executive
can use his time much more effectively by
working with a staff assistant who will do
the model building, the interrogations, and
so forth, for him.

"The key here is that the executive must
be able to understand the work his assis-
tant does for him on the computer."

Piracy

One software issue that is a much
greater problem in the microcomputer mar-
ket than in the mainframe market is the
theft of goods. Software companies com-
monly estimate that from 25 to 50 percent
of their potential revenue slips away to
pirates. Why is the problem so much big-
ger in the microcomputer marketplace? I
asked Sam Guckenheimer, Execucom's
Product Manager for IFPS/Personal:

"It's harder to track," he said. "The
mainframe world is very centralized. Your
customer base is made up of a small num-
ber of installations and is, by contrast, quite
easy to audit. Take a hot-selling machine
like the VAX [minicomputer]. There may
be 8000 VAXs installed now, something
like that. Well, that's a fifth as many pro-
cessors as IBM PCs are added into the work
place every month. It's the difference in
magnitude between ships in a harbor and
people passing through a subway turnstile.
You're talking about much greater disper-
sion. It's much more difficult to audit and
control."

One possible solution Execucom has con-
sidered is a combination hardware/software
protection scheme, using an encryption al-
gorithm embedded within the software,
and the same algorithm burned on a
PROM (programmable read-only memory)
installed in a device affixed to the keyboard.
Other protection alternatives include tying
the software to a particular processor by
means of a serialized PROM (as Apple has
done with its Lisa software) and the
method most widely used for lower-priced
software in the home market: scrambling

the information on the disk.

Of scrambling information, Sam
Guckenheimer says: "Well, first, that
means you can't copy it for backup. Second,
you can't copy it over to a hard disk, and
hard disks are starting to get used a lot.
And third, it generally means that it takes
much longer to boot and it tends to create
difficulties in areas like operating-system
compatibility. Look at all the software that
was released for the IBM PC that doesn't
work with MS-DOS 2.0 because protec-
tion games were played using memory
areas subsequently required by the new
operating system."

The protection scheme employing the
serialized PROM involves the installation
inside the computer of a PROM contain-
ing a unique serial number. Software pub-
lishers wishing to be protected by that serial
number include it in their software, where
it is checked against the hardware-resident
number before the program will run. Thus
a given piece of software is usable on only
one machine. Guckenheimer 's evaluation:
"If you have a multiple-personal computer
environment where machines get swapped
for service, this solution dies instantly.
Also, if people change offices and don't
carry their machines with them, this sys-
tem won't work."

No protection system will please every-
one. "Users don't like software protection,"
Guckenheimer says. "It has, in fact, been
recommended by a number of users that we
go to multiuser licensing without protec-
tion. But then how do we really know how
many copies are out there? How do the DP
[data processing] departments we deal with
know that, for the 100 they've distributed,
there haven't been another 500 copies
made? Copying a disk is generally a lot
easier than getting budget approval."

Changing User Profile

As the character of the computer under-
goes a dramatic change with the penetra-
tion of micros into the computer resource
commonwealth, so does the profile of the
typical user.

The new user is maybe someone who
previously stayed away from the computer,
feeling either that he "wasn't technical
enough" to use it or that the investment
of time in learning to use it would not be
repaid by the benefits of using it. Some of
these people have felt, probably correctly,
that their need for the machine would be
too intermittent to permit them to keep
their skills current. The powerful and flex-
ible user interface permitted by the micro-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 403

computer is changing that picture. Says
Guckenheimer, "It used to be that the peo-
ple who worked with computers were
always very analytical in their orientation.
They would go through long descriptions
of problems, meticulously laid out in ad-
vance on paper, and then enter them into
the computer and solve them.

"Over the past few years software writers
have directed more and more attention to
making user interfaces flexible. The advent
of microcomputers represents a tremendous
leap forward in this process, so that now
users are developing a different way of be-
having with the computer. Instead of lay-
ing out their whole problem in advance,
they'll sit down and start entering things
almost from stream of consciousness. They
don't necessarily have a clear definition of
their problem when they start; they work
it out as they describe it. It does away
with, or makes much more cursory, the
pencil and paper notes made beforehand.
One of the reasons spreadsheets have
caught on so well is that they lend them-
selves to putting in a few random numbers
and then experimenting with their rela-

tionships until you get something that
makes sense.

"I think that because of the microcom-
puter, there's a general shift in the way jobs
are defined. The whole concept of the per-
sonal computer as a professional worksta-
tion implies that you break down some of
the barriers of work specialization and that
a given user may employ his computer for

Mainframe software

writers have aimed at

making user interfaces

flexible.

a little bit of financial modeling, a little bit
of word processing, some graphics, a data-
base, communications, and project man-
agement. Before microcomputers, a com-
pany had, in the case of financial analysis,
a person whose job was financial analysis
and nothing else. Now, the capability of
doing fairly sophisticated financial analysis
is within reach of managers who don't have
as much training and don't do financial

analysis as extensively. It means that more
people will get involved in the process."

Customer Support

This is another area in which a major
transformation must take place in shifting
from mainframe to microcomputer. Intro-
ductory training delivered at the customer
site and telephone hotline support are often
included in the price of a mainframe soft-
ware package, and training on advanced
topics is available for a fee. Clearly, this
sort of service is not feasible in the micro-
computer market, where software is sold
in large quantities, through distributors or
computer stores, at comparatively low
prices. Much of the training delivered in
person to clients by mainframe software
companies will have to be delivered
through the computer for microcomputer
software.

Product documentation must be
thorough and understandable if a micro-
computer product distributed through ex-
tremely high-volume channels is to stand
on its own. If documentation is to become
more helpful to the user, it will have to do

Business
Scientific
Data
Plotting

~v

Softkit # 2

Data Plotting Software for Micros- This 232 pg book/disk package contains

1 8 programs in BASIC for processing and plotting data: Histograms, pie charts,

log plots, regression, statistical analysis, curve fitting, barcharts, stock market

charts, 3D views of surfaces, data management, applications to science,

engineering and business.

Special features include writing text over graphics, automatic scaling and

axis labeling, automatic replotting when data is changed.

Book contains program listing in Applesoft BASIC with theory, equations and

full documentation. Disks contain same programs in Applesoft BASIC or IRMpc

BASICA. Use the programs as-is or modify and combine for your own special

applications.

Please send Book- S30.50

DApplasoft Disk- $19.95
DIBMpc BASICA Disk- $19.95

Name

Address

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D check encloied

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_expiration date_

call (617)934-0445 for faster delivery
KERN PUBLICATIONS • P.O. Box 1029BN • Duxbury, MA 02332

Applied
Statistics
^ Micros

Softkit # 7

Applied Statistics for Micros- This is a package of professional level
statistics programs for use in business, science and engineering. Book contains
program listings in BASIC alongside theory and documentation. Optional disk
contains same programs in BASIC.

Book gives clear, easy-to-read tutorial on errors, statistical distributions,
hypothesis tests, variance, covariance, regression, response surfaces and
time series. 22 programs calculate normal, chi-square, t and F distributions;
variance with randomized blocks, Latin squares, factorials, response sur-
faces. Hi-accuracy multi-linear regression program has data handling and transfor-
mation. Also programs for hypothesis testing, sorting and smoothing. Numerous
practical applications.

Assumes no prior knowledge of statistics. Used as a text for years at a leading
university.

Please send: DBook- $38
DIBMpc BASICA Disk- $26 □ Applesoft Disk- $26 DCP/M86 Disk- $26

Name

Address

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□ check enclosed

□ vlsa/mastercsrd
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A KERN PUBLICATIONS • P.O. Box 1029BN • Duxbury, MA 02332

404 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

so by being integrated as directly as pos-
sible within the product. As Guckenheimer
says, "The concept of printed documenta-
tion is limiting. Documentation includes
user prompts, help messages, interactive
tutorials, and what-have-you. All of those
tie together.

"Documentation is important, but it's
often misunderstood. The most effective
documentation is that which has to be read
least. People often think of documentation
as being effective when one can get a full
description of what the software does from
it. It's much better if the software explains
itself."

What You Learn from a
Mainframe Background

Kirk fones explains why he thinks a com-
pany like Execucom, with a background in
mainframe software development for large
corporations, has an advantage in the big
business market, even over companies with
more experience in microcomputer soft-
ware.

"We've learned from 10 years of ex-
perience how people solve corporate prob-

lems and what the information systems re-
quirements are for solving corporate prob-
lems. We've learned how people integrate
systems and models together, and what
kind of support they have to have to solve
corporate problems.

"What Visicorp knows how to do ex-
tremely well is solve the individual's
business problems. But one of the problems

Maintainability is

extremely important

from a corporate point

of view.

with a Visicalc-like product is the dif-
ficulty of maintaining the model. It is rela-
tively tough to write a Visicalc model this
month, not use it for six months, and then
take that same application and run it again
successfully, with new numbers, and still
knoio what the numbers mean. Many Visi-
calc users find it easier to rewrite their
spreadsheet after six months than to try
to update the old one. One of the things

we've learned with IFPS is that maintain-
ability is extremely important from a cor-
porate point of view. The corporation can't
afford to pay for that rebuilding."

Gary Greenfield, head of development for
IFPS/Personal, concludes, "I think we're
going to see a merging of what the main-
frame software marketplace and the micro-
computer marketplace have meant to their
users. From the micro software market-
place, I think we will take lessons concern-
ing the supportive user interface and the
type of documentation and outline tutorials
that users want. With microcomputer soft-
ware relatively inexpensive compared to
what we've been used to in the past, we've
got to take a look at more cost-effective
means of distributing ourproduct: not just
the software package, but the services
associated with it, too.

"On the other hand, I think we can
teach the microcomputer industry some-
thing about the type of professional train-
ing, consulting, and hotline service that
corporate customers want from software
vendors. We're going to see these market-
places coming together."

Graphics

for the

IBMpc
Apple II

Softkits #5,6

This is a spectacular collection of graphics programs for the IBMpc and the
Apple II or lie. It contains more than 60 programs in BASICA. They're listed
beside theory and equations in a 280 page self-teaching guide. An optional
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These programs will show you how to write your own 2D and 3D graphics
software and they will give you many useful, ready-to-run graphics routines
to incorporate in your own software.

Programs are menu driven and modular. They show how to use elementary
graphics commands and do 2D and 3D translation, rotation, scaling, clipp-
ing, windowing, hidden line removal, shading, perspective, hi-speed anima-
tion, with applications to science, business, engineering and games.
Adopted as a text in many leading universities. We know you will be pleased.

Please send:

IBMpc Book- $30.50 DIBMpc BASICA Disk- $21.50
Apple Book- $30.50 _ Applesoft Disk- $21.50

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I

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KERN PUBLICATIONS • P.O. Box 1029BN • Duxbury, MA 02332

Designer

Softkit # 8

This is a professional 3 dimensional graphics design program. With Designer
you can interactively create 3D drawings on the screen, rotate in 3 dimen-
sions, enlarge, view in perspective, store on disk, recall and update.
Run Designer3"- a cursor appears on the screen with a set of 3 dimensional
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points, lines and points defining curves. Curves fit through points using a
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X,y,z coordinates are displayed as the cursor moves. Then enlarge, rotate,
store your 3D picture on disk, recall and modify.

The picture stored on disk is a text file of node x,y,z coordinates and the
lines and curves comprising the 3D object. Interface Designer to other pro-
grams through this disk file. Use Designer as a graphics pre-processor for
your own applications software.

Designer30 is supplied on disk in machine language with a user's manual.
Perfect for CAD/CAM applications.

Please send D Apple Deslgner3°-$85
DIBMpc Designer3"- $85

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J^ KERN PUBLICATIONS • P.O. Box1029BN • Duxbury, MA 02332 )

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Deceirioer 19» © BYTC Publication!; Inc. 405

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Housekeeping Problems

Kirk Jones worked only on main-
frames before his assignment to Ex-
ecucom's IFPS/Personal project. He
makes this observation about micro-
computers: "Personal computers are
very unfriendly in the demands they
make on the users for file backup and
maintenance (source management, in
traditional data-processing terms).
They've put many of the problems
that the mainframe world solved 20
years ago back in the user's lap. He
is now responsible for backing up his
floppy disks and for figuring out
what to do when one of them goes
bad. It's the user's problem when
the disk can't be read, whereas in the
mainframe world that is taken care
of for you. There are people who do
nothing but insulate the user from
the hardware environment and the
operating-system environment."

The same sort of phenomenon af-
fects the software developer in a dif-
ferent way. Wade Shaw, a computer-
language designer for Execucom, had
these comments:

"One of the biggest problems that
we've encountered with microcom-
puters has been control of the soft-
ware source. You've written a pro-
gram, you've fixed it up and think it's
correct, and now you want to put it
somewhere. So you put it on a flop-
py disk. Floppy disks tend to be
somewhat unreliable, so you back it
up on another floppy disk. Later, you
make some changes in your master
floppy disk. When somebody wants
the program, you may hand him the
wrong floppy disk.

"Or maybe you put the floppy disk
onto the central system, the archival
source system. Somebody takes that
copy off, works on it, makes some
changes to it, and doesn't tell you.
Now you come back in, make some
changes, and you overwrite his copy
on the master. Pretty soon people
start finding bugs they've already
fixed, or they have to reenter en-
hancements they've already com-
pleted.

"Of course, this is always a problem
when you have a lot of people work-
ing together, and it can be alleviated
to a certain extent by careful planning
and control of the source. But the

problem is aggravated by having a
distributed computing facility as op-
posed to a centralized one."

Choices for Software Vendors

What microcomputer limitations
have to be sidestepped or overcome
to adapt software originally designed
for a mainframe? Three important
ones are utilization of memory, access
time to the disk/ and the speed of ex-
ecution of floating-point arithmetic.

The first two limitations are almost
inseparable, given the close func-
tional resemblance of direct-access
(RAM) and peripheral memory (flop-
py disk, RAM disk, or hard disk). An
overlay structure, wherein sections of
a program are swapped in and out of
direct-access memory from disk as
needed, allows the successful execu-
tion of a program too large to fit in
RAM. Using this scheme, the pro-
grammer frees himself to write a pro-
gram as large as he thinks his user
has peripheral memory to accommo-
date. He is, however, subject to the
constraint that no legal command
given by the user ever requires a
larger portion of the total program
than will fit in the available RAM. He
must also incorporate in his design
the logic that decides what sections
of the total code should be in RAM
following a given user command.

What makes the overlay solution
less than glorious are the delays the
user must endure while waiting for
code to be read in from the disk.
How much time does he spend
waiting? It depends on how fast new
information can be obtained from the
disk, how many distinct overlays
have been built into the program
(and therefore how often disk reads
are required), and when the overlays
must be swapped out during user
interaction.

In practice, the second factor de-
pends on the first, since the program-
mer must take it into account in de-
signing his system.

The amount of time a user spends
waiting depends mainly upon the
technology available. Floppy-disk
storage is slower but cheaper than
hard-disk storage; hard-disk storage
is slower but cheaper on a per-byte
basis than RAM disk or direct-access

406 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

THE BUFFER DID IT.

Who Stole The 1500 Letters
From The Computer?

Let's just say you've got to
send a letter to 1500 different
people. Would you like to
spend 22.5 hours* or
60 seconds of

computer ^^

time? v^°XV\ftv^

With **- ef^ \*PV

a garden- 9& ' ^p-°

variety ^° x>v

buffer, the ^

computer has
to mix, merge
and send 1500

addresses and 1500 letters to the
buffer. Trouble is, most buffers
only store about 32 letters. So after
32 letters, the computer's down
until the printer's done. Altogether,

you're talking 22.5 hours.

In the case of our new (not to
mention amazing)
ShuffleBuffer,

But
'hat

t"ere«fa

^"Woonut, computer time

flings fria7u"uti - ^ 60

oe/jei/ ' nuscWs, repon seconds

*»*,*, L You,cllo^myw flat.

■'c o.._ just give

ShuffleBuffer one form letter and
your address list, and it takes care
of the mixing, the merging, and the
printing. But that's not all
ShuffleBuffer's stolen from the
computer. Oh, no.

Who Changed and
Rearranged The Facts?

Again, ShuffleBuffer's
the culprit. You want
to move para-
graph #1
down
where
#3 is?
Want
to add a
chart or
picture? No

problem. No mystery, either. Any
buffer can give you FIFO, basic
first-in, first-out printing. And some

buffers offer By-Pass; the ability to
interrupt long jobs for short ones.
But only ShuffleBuffer has what we
call Random Access Printing — the
brains to move stored information
around on its way to the printer.
Something only a computer could
do before. Comes in especially
handy if you do lots of printing.
Or lengthy manuscripts
Or voluminous green
and white spread jve *
sheets. And by the
way, ShuffleBuffer ^
does store up to
128K of information
and gives you a
By-Pass mode, too.

And Who Spilled The
Beans 239 Times?

Who Wants You To Catch
A ShuffleBuffer In Action?

You guessed it. We do. Just go to
your local computer dealer and ask
him to show you a ShuffleBuffer at
work. Or, you can call us
■0- at (215) 667-1713, and
we'll clue you in -on
all the facts directly.

y>

&

&>

v\i*

o&

*?

* Based
on an average
4000 character letter
& I28K buffer.

Most buffers can't
tell the printer to
duplicate. If they can,
they only offer a
start/stop switch,
which means you're
the one who has to
count to 239. Turn
your back on your
buffer, and your
printer might shoot out
a room full of copies.
ShuffleBuffer, however,
does control quantity.
Tell it the amount, and
it counts the copies.
By itself.

So, What's The Catch?

There isn't any
Sleuth
around.
You won't
find another
buffer that's as slick a
character as this one.
You also won't find one that's
friendly with any parallel or serial
computer/printer combination.
This is the world's only universal
buffer.
With a brain.

BH»

f\ShuffleBuffer

The Buffer with a Brain

• MM Interactive Structures Inc.
(^^S 146 Montqomery Avenue
^t^ Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Circle 232 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 407

memory mounted directly on the
computer's motherboard. Therefore,
like any other designer, the program-
mer must make some decisions
about what equipment he thinks the
user will be able and willing to
obtain.

Shaw thinks that, above a certain
reasonable minimum, the amount of
memory available to the user is not
necessarily the key factor in deter-
mining his ability to get the assis-
tance he needs from the computer.
"The problem with models is that
they can always get bigger than your
memory no matter how much you
have. Even if you could buy an
unlimited amount of memory, you'd
still have a problem, because at some
point your model is going to reach a
size and complexity you can't work
with effectively. I think that eventual-
ly the business analysts who do
modeling will have to learn some of
the same lessons programmers have,
about structured design and modu-
larization of models, the cost of main-
taining code, and the importance of
documenting it well."

The IFPS Example

As mentioned previously, Execu-
com markets a simulation-modeling
language known as IFPS designed to
run on a mainframe.

The company recently released
IFPS/Personal, a smaller version of
the mainframe package for the IBM
PC and related microcomputers.
Available initially only to corporate
customers owning the mainframe
package (with which IFPS/Personal
communicates), the stand-alone
microcomputer system will be re-
leased for the mass-distribution
market early in 1984.

The Mainframe System

IFPS is an ultra-high-level simula-
tion-modeling language. It runs on
computers from the Wang VS series
to the largest IBM and Cyber ma-
chines and on more than 25 different
operating systems.

The modeling language itself is
nonprocedural and English-like. The
term "ultra-high-level" distinguishes
it from high-level languages such as

COBOL, FORTRAN, and Pascal be-
cause IFPS is as far beyond these lan-
guages on the machine-language-to-
spoken-word continuum as they are
from assembly language. Users may
order model statements almost ar-
bitrarily, without regard to required
computational sequence, as shown in
listing 1. Internally, IFPS reorders
statements so that no variable is com-
puted before others on which it
depends. The exception occurs when
model statements describe a simulta-
neous equation. When this occurs,
IFPS automatically employs an itera-
tive numerical method to obtain the
correct solution.

Interrogation facilities of the lan-
guage include What If, Goal Seeking,
Analyze, Sensitivity, and Impact.
Most readers have some concept of
a What If capability because some
form of it is a feature of nearly every
electronic spreadsheet on the market.
In IFPS, What If is literally "what if"
(see listing 2). In contrast to What Ifs
in most spreadsheet packages, a
What If in IFPS leaves the base case
unaltered, so a user can do any num-

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An intelligent, buffered version of this device is also available.

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408 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 487 on inquiry card.

Circle 499 on inquiry card.

Presenting

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Besides its dual orientation screen,
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Because it was an idea whose time
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Circle 123 on inquiry card.

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Listing 1: A model written for mainframe IFPS. The model statements may be ordered almost
arbitrarily.

MODEL PR
100 C0LU
110 * QU
120 *
130 *
140 UNIT
150 BEGI
160 DESI
170
180 *
190 UNIT
200
210 *
220 ENDI
230
240 *
250 *
260 COST
270 COST
280 COST
290 *
300 T0TA
310 T0TA
320 T0TA
330
340 T0TA
TOT
350 <
360 i
370 T0TA
380 LAB0
390 AVG
400 *
410 DIRE

0DBUD VERSION OF 07/14/83 15:43

MNS 1-8

ARTERLY PRODUCTION BUDGET

INVENTORY REQUIREMENTS

SALES = 200,350,350,500,500,400,450,400
N INV FINISHED GOODS = 200, PREVIOUS ENDING INV FINISHED GOODS
RED END INV FINISHED GOODS = 30% * FUTURE UNIT SALES FOR 7, '
PREVIOUS

PRODUCTION = UNIT SALES + DESIRED END INV FINISHED GOODS - '
BEGIN INV FINISHED GOODS

NG INV FINISHED GOODS = BEGIN INV FINISHED GOODS + '
UNIT PRODUCTION - UNIT SALES

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

OF MICRO CHIP BOARD = 200

OF CHASSIS PARTS = 60 FOR 4, 65

OF TERMINAL CHASSIS = 220

L COST MICRO CHIP BOARDS = COST OF MICRO CHIP BOARD * UNIT PRODUCTION

L COST CHASSIS PARTS " COST OF CHASSIS PARTS * UNIT PRODUCTION

L COST TERMINAL CHASSIS = COST OF TERMINAL CHASSIS * UNIT PRODUCTION

L COST MINICOMPUTER = SUM(T0TAL COST MICRO CHIP BOARDS THRU
AL COST TERMINAL CHASSIS)

LABOR REQUIREMENTS
L LABOR HOURS = LABOR HOURS PER UNIT * UNIT PRODUCTION
R HOURS PER UNIT = 100
LABOR RATE = 9.50 FOR 2, 10.80 FOR 3, 11.00

CT LABOR

TOTAL LABOR HOURS * AVG LABOR RATE

Listing 2: The IFPS What If and Goal Seeking interrogation facilities.

INPUT: MODEL PRODBUD

READY FOR EDIT, LAST LINE IS 410

INPUT: SOLVE

ENTER SOLVE OPTIONS

INPUT: L340

***** WHAT IF CASE 1 *****

1 WHAT IF STATEMENT PROCESSED

12 3 4 5 6 7 8

TOTAL COST MINIC 50400 168000 189600 240000 227950 201275 210975 194000

ENTER SOLVE OPTIONS

INPUT: GOAL SEEKING

GOAL SEEKING CASE 1

ENTER NAME OF VARIABLE(S) TO BE ADJUSTED TO ACHIEVE PERFORMANCE

INPUT: COST OF MICRO CHIP BOARDd)

ENTER 1 COMPUTATIONAL STATEMENT(S) FOR PERFORMANCE

INPUT: TOTAL COST MINI COMPUTER ( 1 ) =54000

***** WHAT IF CASE 3 *****

1 WHAT IF STATEMENT PROCESSED

***** GOAL SEEKING CASE 1 *****

1 2
COST OF MICRO CH 234.3 250

3
250

4
250

5
250

6

250

7
250

250

ber of tentative explorations without
getting lost.

Goal Seeking allows the user to
describe a goal— a specified value in
a specified model column (usually
representing a time period) for a
specified model variable. The pro-
gram then meets this goal, if it's feasi-
ble, by adjusting the value of some
other specified model variable. For

example, a manufacturer running a
model that describes the production
of a new product might feel that the
per-unit production cost of that prod-
uct is too high. Using the Goal Seek-
ing facility, the manufacturer can tell
IFPS what the product should cost,
and then let the program figure out
the necessary raw-material cost or
per-unit overhead. With this informa-

410 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

The latest software production
solution from FORM ASTER

If you're trying to mass produce software through a
time-consuming microcomputer operation... or think
that high performance diskette duplication equipment
is too expensive... you're looking at the solution. The
FORMASTER™ Series Two.

The only intelligent, all-format duplicator with speed,
copy accuracy, and low cost.

The same state of the art technology you find in
FORMASTER Series One systems that are processing
millions of diskettes TffL
around the world has 'ijfrf
been built into the v^

Series Two. Features
like the unique flexi- |^
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5V4" or 3V2" diskette
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The Series Two has
the speed and copy
accuracy to reduce

your production costs. Up to 120 fully verified copies
per hour. And you're assured of superior copy quality
with bipolar bit-slice verification technology, self-
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operational software. You can even adjust production
yields for different grades of media.

Best of all, it's extremely simple to use. With load-and-
go Program Disks from FORMASTER's library of over
200 formats, it's like running an office copier.

Circle 192 on Inquiry card.

The FORMASTER Series One intelligent disk-
ette duplicator produces up to 326 fully veri-
fied copies per hour, with CopyLock '" piracy
protection and copy serialization added
automatically.

The right combination for piracy protection.

Like the Series One, the Series Two fills the hardware
role in FORMASTER's unique CopyLock™ software
protection process. The special
CopyLock diskette signature simply
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And if you need a larger-volume production solution...

The FORMASTER Series One product line now includes
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These are just the latest solutions from FORMASTER to
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1983 Concourse Dr., San Jose, CA 95131 . (408) 942-1771 . Telex 466462.

FORMASTER U.K. Corporation: Milton House, 172-184 Bath Road, Slough, Berks. SL1 -3XE,
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The Leader in See us ai c°mdex/fm' bo°,h ^73/375.

Software Production Technology

Reps wanted

tion it may be clear that a higher pro-
duction volume is needed, so the
user can begin exploring the ramifica-
tions of the new production volume,
using What If.

Analyze provides a stepwise trace
back through model logic to help the
user determine dependency relation-
ships among model variables. Sen-
sitivity determines the relative sen-
sitivity in a given variable's values to
changes in the values of other model
variables. Impact performs the in-
verse process of clarifying what effect
changing a given variable's values
will have on any other model vari-
ables specified by the user.

IFPS incorporates a command lan-
guage enabling users to construct
turnkey systems that can process
millions of bits of data through a
series of complex operations upon
the receipt of a single command. A
Universal Consolidation subsystem
allows the consolidated solution of
models representing any number of
individual entities (e.g., profit
centers) at any number of organiza-
tional levels.

Mainframe IFPS offers sophisti-
cated reporting facilities and provi-
sion for the two- and three-dimen-
sional data files. It supports the
storage of models and data files in
compiled (binary) form and allows
data encryption for security.

For special-purpose applications,
mainframe IFPS is extensible, permit-
ting users to link into the package
their own FORTRAN functions and
subroutines. Once linked, these rou-
tines may be called to operate upon
model data as if they were intrinsic
facilities of the language.

The maximum size of models in
IFPS generally depends only upon
the amount of memory a user has on
his machine. Models as large as 8000
variables have been run. A typical
IBM site running IFPS under the
TSO time-sharing administrator
reserves a full megabyte of virtual
memory per normal user. Users run-
ning exceptionally large models are
allocated more space.

Internally, mainframe IFPS is a
combination FORTRAN/assembly-
language program tens of thousands
of lines long. To accommodate the

variations in local FORTRAN among
its many different environments,
IFPS's master source contains about
twice as many FORTRAN lines as ac-
tually get shipped as the system for
any given machine. It also contains
routines in 12 different varieties of as-
sembly language. To create a system
for a given machine, Execucom's in-
stallation crew runs a code-selector
program against that massive source,
which throws out everything but the
code directly relevant to the machine
being addressed.

Over the years, falling prices for
memory and the concomitant rise in
its availability at a given customer site
have allowed IFPS to evolve in two
important directions. First, it has
■become more powerful through the
addition of new features and the ex-
tension of existing ones. Second, it
has become easier to use through the
concentration of greater resources in-
to the user interface.

Companion packages extend IFPS's
capabilities in many directions. IFPS/
Graphics provides full-color high-res-
olution graphics generation capabil-
ities, including three-dimensional
graphics, stackable bar charts, ex-
ploded pie charts, and all traditional
forms of business graphics. IFPS/
Dataspan provides for the conversion
of reports produced by non-IFPS sys-
tems (such as databases and statisti-
cal-analysis packages) into datafiles
suitable for use with IFPS. IFPS/Sen-
try provides for the creation of on-
line "interviewers" who guide data-
entry sessions by conversationally
prompting the user for needed data.
Entered data is checked against pre-
defined specifications to minimize
errors. IFPS/Optimum permits the
solution of optimization problems
formulated in the standard IFPS
modeling language. The solution of
integer, linear, and nonlinear prob-
lems is supported.

Several more interfaces are under
development.

IFPS/Personal

The microcomputer version of IFPS,
called IFPS/Personal, represents both
a subset and a superset of the main-
frame package. While it cannot han-
dle models as large or computations

as complex as its mainframe counter-
part, it retains the nonprocedural,
English-like syntax. Like the main-
frame system, it is a general-purpose
simulation language not restricted to
financial applications. IFPS/Personal
runs on the IBM PC and compatibles,
the Compaq, the TI Professional, and
the Computer Device Dot. Execucom
plans to extend its availability to all
major microcomputers running MS-
DOS.

For the microcomputer user inter-
ested in IFPS/Personal, an important
question is: how much of this main-
frame power can be packed into a
$4000 desktop computer?

In one sense, the answer is: all of
it. Through a LINK command, users
of IFPS/Personal can send models
and other entities created on the PC
to their mainframe for processing by
mainframe IFPS or any of its com-
panion products. Users can also have
results shipped in the reverse direc-
tion. To perform operations available
only on the mainframe, they can turn
their PC into a remote terminal with
the command HOST. This direct link
between the microcomputer and
mainframe versions of IFPS provides
the user with the choice of a tech-
nology appropriate for his task. He
can, for example, create and edit all
of his models on his PC. Editing may
account for fully half of the computer
time logged by financial planners.
This computer time will now cost es-
sentially nothing beyond the rela-
tively small cost of the microcom-
puter itself.

The IFPS/Personal user will be able
to solve all but very large models
directly on his personal computer,
and he will be able to do most or all
of his reporting and graphics. Only
the tasks that require the power of
the mainframe (such as the con-
solidation of giant, integrated model-
ing systems involving very large
amounts of data) need be performed
on a mainframe.

Although IFPS/Personal lacks some
of the facilities of the mainframe ver-
sion, it has some significant features
its mainframe counterpart does not.
In most cases these enhancements
are suggested by and depend upon
the unique hardware/operating sys-

412 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Four Answers To Voor
S-IOO.Multi-User Problems.

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1 CPZ-48000 SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER.
□ IEEE 696.1/D2 S-100 compliance. □Z80A74MHZ Operation.
□ Floppy disk controller (FDC). Single or double sided. Single
or double density. 8" or 5%" □ Two synchronous or asynchro-
nous serial I/O channels (SIO). ciTwo parallel I/O channels
(PIO). u Four channel DMA controller. □ 64K on board RAM.
□ Memory management unit (MMU). Addresses up to 16
megabytes of system memory. □ Eight Vectored priority
interrupts. □ Provisions for 2K or 4K onboard EPROM. □ Software select-
able baud rates. □ IBM Bisync, HDLC, SDLC and other protocols. □ CP/M,'"
MP/M,'"andTurboDOS'" operating systems available. □ Turbo-Disk"
implementation included.

ZCPX-MX SLAVES.
□ IEEE 696.1/D2 S-100 compliance. D Compatible with
CPZ-48000 SBCP any Z-80A based CPU with extended address
capability or 16 bit based CPUs complying with IEEE 696.1/D2
bus specification. □ Z-80B" 6MHz (CPS-6X) or Z80A4MHZ
(CPS-4X) operation. □ Two synchronous (CPS-MS) or
asynchronous (CPS-MA) serial I/O ports. nTurboDOS'"&
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for diagnostic purposes. □ Two parallel I/O ports: eight data
bits + 2 handshake lines per port. □ 64 Kbytes of onboard dynamic RAM.
0 Master/slave memory-to-memory transfers under DMA control @ 571
Kbyte/sec transfer rate when used with CPZ-48000 SBCP □ Software
selectable baud rates. □ Usable as an intelligent I/O processor in single
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3 256KMB-100256K MEMORY.
□ IEEE S-100 bus. spec 696.1/D2 compliance. The 256KMB-100 is
compatible with most IEEE S-100 board products now on the
market. □ Linear addressable to 2 megabytes. □ 225 nano-
second access time, maximum, 160 nano-seconds, typical,
o 295 nano- second read-write time, minimum. nBank
selectable 16K increments. □ I/O port address bank selection.
□ Configures for phantom deselection. □ Parity error detection,
visual and/or interrupts. □ Bank selection compatible with CROMIX:"
CP/M2.2:" MP/M!" Alpha Micro, and other major systems.

PERSONALITY BOARDS.

n Centronics printer. □ 8 inch floppy disk. 1 1 5'/« inch floppy
disk. QRS232 serial communications. □Synchronous/
asynchronous modem. □ Priam smart/smart E hard disk.

□ Long distance serial communication (2000 ft @ 9600 baud).

□ Shugart Associates Systems Interface (SASI). 1 1 Clock/
calendar. uKonan David. Jr. '"hard disk. □ Archive tape drive.

SYSTEMS CORPORATION

4015 Leaverton Court
Anaheim, CA 92807
(714) 630-0964
Telex: 678401 -TAB-IRIN

Z80A & Z80B are trademarks of ZILOG Corp • CP/M. MP/M & CP/NET are trademarks of Digital Research Corp. • TubroDCS is a trademark ol Soltware 2000 Inc.

,-.. -^N?

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CROMIX is a trademark ol CROMEMCO Corp. • DAVID JR is a trademark ol KONAN Corp

Circle 233 on inquiry card.

Photo 1: Ring-menu choices are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

rem facilities of the microcomputer
environment.

Enhancements in IFPS/Personal

Ring-menu choices (see photo 1)
replace typed commands throughout
IFPS/Personal. Thus the user always
has in view all or almost all of the cur-
rently available options. He need not
search his memory or manual for the
appropriate command word. Tapping
the keyboard's space bar moves the
user between choices: he uses the
Enter key to select one. Single-stroke
keyboard commands are also sup-
ported so that, as the user becomes
familiar with the system through
repeated use, the system can keep up
with him.

A View mode gives Personal the
capabilities of a spreadsheet package,
including multiple windows and in-
dividually formattable columns. In
addition, IFPS/Personal is a complete
simulation-modeling language, pro-
viding model logic on the same
screen with the spreadsheet-like
solution matrix.

A full-screen editor supplants the
line-oriented editor of the mainframe
version. Facilities include block
moves of text and several forms of an
UNDO command. Color graphics are
standard (see photos on page 401), as
are user-definable function keys.

Like the mainframe version, IFPS/
Personal supports many forms of
model interrogation, nonprocedural
modeling, use of datafiles, automatic
solution of simultaneous equations,
sophisticated reporting, command
files, and recording of terminal ses-
sions. It is even possible to create a
command file automatically, simply
by giving a command to record input
and stepping through the desired
operations.

What Got Left Out?

As a stand-alone package, IFPS/
Personal lacks the following capabil-
ities of mainframe IFPS:

•It cannot perform the complex,
multimodel consolidation supported
by the Universal Consolidation facil-
ity of mainframe IFPS that common-
ly supports applications involving
more data than can be readily pro-
cessed within the resources of a
microcomputer.

• It has no capability for interfacing
user-defined routines.

•It has links to the extension prod-
ucts Sentry, Dataspan, and Optimum
and to external packages only
through mainframe IFPS.

• Its command-file facilities are less
powerful than those in the main-
frame system.

•Binary storage of datafiles and

models and data encryption are not

supported.

•It cannot process models as large as

those that mainframe IFPS can

handle.

•It is computationally slower.

As memory and fast peripheral stor-
age for microcomputers continue to
become cheaper, many of these
mainframe capabilities will be in-
cluded in the microcomputer pack-
age.

So Who Needs Mainframes,
Anyway?

According to Kirk Jones, who wrote
the specifications for IFPS/Personal,
a mainframe's strength "lies in its
speed of computation, power in data
management, and in the data securi-
ty it can provide."

The mainframe computer is ideal-
ly suited as a central repository for
large amounts of data. Because every-
thing is in one place, security is easier
to provide, at least from the point of
view of the person with the master
password to the machine. And, as
Execucom's Competitive Analyst
Mark Wood points out, "Even with
the most powerful of today's micros,
the 32-bit machines, it is still pos-
sible to formulate models and pro-
grams that only a mainframe can
solve in a reasonable amount of
time."

I asked Sam Guckenheimer, the
IFPS/Personal Product Manager,
what people who have IFPS in both
versions would continue to do on the
mainframe.

"They'll keep their corporate data-
bases and model libraries there. Also,
they'll do their big consolidation solu-
tions there. Where you have geo-
graphic dispersion— in other words,
where you have several offices ac-
cessing the same database— the
mainframe is where you put all the
components together. It is becoming
a data library." ■

Gregory T. Dunn is a User Documentation Con-
sultant at Execucom Systems Corp. He can be
reached at 2513 Mountain View Dr., Austin, TX
78704.

414 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 144 on inquiry card.

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POKEing Around in the

IBM PC

Part 2: Developing subroutines for BIOS
interface and screen-display disk storage

Part 1 of this two-part series intro-
duced the concept of accessing the
IBM Personal Computer's (PC's)
BIOS (basic input/output system)
from a BASIC program and sum-
marized the PC's BIOS functions and
central processor registers. Building
on this background, this concluding
part develops a general-purpose
BIOS-interface subroutine that can
transfer parameters from a BASIC
program to the BIOS and can store
BIOS results in memory. Then a sub-
routine is presented that can move
data from one memory location to
another using a machine-language
MOV instruction. Finally, this article
describes a subroutine that can store
screen data on a disk. This second
subroutine provides the file-handling
facilities of DOS while avoiding the
standard BASIC commands that can
be cumbersome for operations in-
volving large quantities of data.

A BIOS Interface Subroutine

We'll use the same approach in de-
veloping the general-purpose BIOS-
interface subroutine that we used to
develop the screen-scroll subroutine
in Part 1. That is, at the sacrifice of

by Hugh R. Howson

some programming elegance, I use
the simplest conceptual approach to
get a working program, relying as
before on direct moves from the pro-
gram to the registers. In addition, this
general-purpose subroutine must be
able to store results from registers in-
to memory.

The first action of the subroutine is
to store the current contents of the
segment registers on a stack so that
they can be restored at the end of the
program. This step ensures that
when control is returned to the
BASIC program, that program can
continue from the state it was in prior
to the subroutine call. We did not
need this step in the Part 1 program
because that specific subroutine
would not affect these register values.
This general-purpose program, how-
ever, requires such a safeguard.

The operation codes that store
these register values are each 1 byte,
as listed below:

55 (BP register)

IE (DS register)

16 (SS register)

06 (ES register)

(Note that unless otherwise speci-

fied, all addresses and numerical in-
structions are given in hexadecimal.)

The effect of each of these instruc-
tions is to decrease the value of the
stack pointer (SP) and then store the
register value in the memory location
pointed at by the SP. The SP normal-
ly points to the last item pushed onto
the stack, which is referred to as the
top of the stack.

Next, we provide for storing a seg-
ment address in the extra segment
register (ES) by first loading 2 bytes
into the AX register and then trans-
ferring them from AX to ES. The nec-
essary instructions are

BB,00,00 (move to AX the

values 00,00)
8E,C0 (move to ES from AX)

The 2-byte values 00 represent
values that must be put into the pro-
gram by the POKE command, prior
to execution if the ES register address
is required by the interrupt that calls
the BIOS subroutine. The ES register
is used only when defining a buffer
address for a block of bytes to be
either read in from or written out to
a device such as a disk or a cassette.

The four accumulator registers, AX,

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

417

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BX, CX, and DX, can now be loaded
with the following instructions,
which are the same as those intro-
duced in Part 1:

B8,00,00 (AX register)

BB,00,00 (BX register)

B9,00,00 (CX register)

BA700,00 (DX register)

Now we can call the BIOS interrupt
with the data statement

CD,00

Prior to executing the subroutine, we
must replace the interrupt number,
00 here, with the interrupt number
identifying the BIOS function we
wish to perform, as identified in table
2 of Part 1 (November, pages 123-124).

After the subroutine is over, we
want to examine the contents of some
of the registers, which may contain
either status information or data as
described in table 2 of Part 1. The reg-
isters of possible interest are AX, BX,
CX, and DX. To retain these values
we use for each register a 3-byte in-
struction consisting of an operation
code, a low-address byte, and a high-
address byte.

The operation code identifies the
register whose value is to be moved,
and the two address bytes specify the
offset address in memory where the
register value is to be stored. To keep
our program self-contained, we store
these values in the bytes immediately
following the end of the program.
Normally, the instruction we use as-
sumes that the segment address is
contained in the DS register. How-
ever, to prevent complications we use
the CS register, which already con-
tains the segment address of the start
of the program. This override of the
segment address is accomplished by
preceding each instruction with

2E (use CS register for the next
instruction)

The required instructions are:

2E,89,06,30,00 (move AX to
memory offset
0030)

2E,89,1E,32,00 (move BX to

418 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

memory offset

0032)
2E,89,0E,34,00 (move CX to

memory offset

0034)
2E,89,16,36,00 (move DX to

memory offset

0036)

We determined these memory ad-
dresses by looking ahead to the end
of the subroutine. The subroutine oc-
cupies offset positions decimal 0 to
47, so the register values can be stored
starting at offset address decimal 48
or hexadecimal 30. Finally, we restore
the register values from the stack
with the instructions

07 (ES register value)

17 (SS register)

IF (DS register)

5D (BP register)

and issue the return statement to
pass control back to the BASIC pro-
gram, with the instruction

CB

The BASIC statements to load this
subroutine into memory are provided
in listing la. In listing lb variables are
assigned values equal to their offset
positions in the program, thus pro-
viding self-documentation of the pro-
gram and making it easier to use
without having to recall any of the
technical details. The PEEK and
POKE statements that are imple-
mented to retrieve or insert values
can then use these variable names, as
the following illustrates.

Disk Functions

To illustrate use of this subroutine,
we will apply it to disk operations
available in the BIOS. Typical actions
we might want to perform include re-
setting the disk, reading the contents
of one or more sectors of a track into
memory at a specific buffer address,
writing contents of a memory buffer
onto one or more sectors of a track,
and verifying data that has been writ-
ten onto the disk.

Assuming that we will be using
disk operations frequently in a pro-
gram, we should now take the time

Text continued on page 422

What did one computer
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Nothing much,
until ASCOM came along.

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initialize BIOS subroutine

Listing 1: The BIOS interface subroutine (a) and its position constants (b).

(la)

io mmmmtmtmmutmmnmnmnmtmtnnmmmmtmtt

20 '

30 '

40 ' demonstration proqran to create BIOS interface

50 '

60 '

70 'tmtmmmtmmmtmmmmtmmmmmttmmtmnmtm

80 '

90 '

100 CLEAR , &H8000

1!0 DEFINT fl-Z

120 SUBROUTINESEG=fcHFOO

130 GOSUB 1000

140 STOP

150 '

160 '

170 nnmmmttmmmmtmmmnmmmnmnmnnmmtttt

180 '

190 '

1000 '

1010 '

1020 '

1030 DEF SEG = SUBROUTINESEG

1040 FOR 1=0 TO 47

1050 READ ■]

1060 POKE I, J

1070 NEXT I

1080 '

1090 DATA fch55,&hle,&hl6,Mi06

1100 '

1110 DATA &Hb8,&hOQ,&hO0

1120 '

1130 DATA fcHBe^hdB

1140 '

1150 DATA fchbB,&h0O,&h00

1160 '

1170 DATA &hbb,&h00,!th00

1180 '

1190 DATA fchb9,&h00,&h00

1200 '

1210 DATA Jshfaa,&HOO,JiHO0

1220 '

1230 DATA McrUHOO

1240 '

1250 DATA Wi2e,&hB9,Mi06,&h30,ih00

1260 ' BX

1270 DATA ih2e,ihB9,ihle,&h32,&hOO

1280 ' CX

1290 DATA &H2e,ihB9,fch0e,fch34,fch00

1300 ' DX

1310 DATA &h2e,Mi89,ihl6,&h36,ih00

1320 ' restore ES, SS, DS, BP

1330 DATA W)07,Mil7,MiH,&h5d

• 340 ' return Listing la continued on page 422

push BP, DS, SS, ES onto stack
(tove 00,00 to AX

and transfer to ES
Hove 00,00 to AX

BX

CX

DX
call interrupt 00
uove AX to fleiorv

420 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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422 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Listing la continued:

1350 DATA kheb
1360 :
1370 '

1380 'timtmttmmtmmttmtmmmmtmmtmmummmmm

(lb)

1390
1400

1410

1420

1430

1440

1450

1460

1470

1480

1490

1500

1510

1520

1530

1540

1550

1560

1570

1580

1590

1 600

1610

1620

1630

1640

1650

1660

1670

1680

1690

1 700

,'smttmmmmmmmmtmmmmtmmmmmtmmtm

BIDSSUB = 0

ESHI = 6

ESL0 = 5

AXHI =11

AXLD =10

BXHI =14

BXLD =13

CXHI =17

CXLD =16

DXHI =20

DXLO =19
INTERRUPT=22

RTNAXHI =49

RTNAXL0 =48

RTNBXHI =51

RTNBXL0 =50

RTNCXHI =53

RTNCXL0 =52

RTNDXHI =55

RTNDXL0 =54

define position constants

RETURN

'ttmmttmmmmmtnmnmmmmmmmmmmtmm

Text continued from page 418:

to redefine the position variables in
terms of the disk function, as follows:

ACTION

DRIVE

HEAD

TRACK

SECTOR

NUMBEROFSECTORS

BUFFERSEGMENTHI

BUFFERSEGMENTLO

BUFFEROFFSETHI

BUFFEROFFSETLO

STATUS

STATUSSECTORS

AXHI
DXLO
DXHI
CXHI
CXLO
AXLO
ESHI
ESLO
BXHI
BXLO
RTN-
AXHI
RTN-
AXLO

We can then define the action
codes, using the values given in table
2 of Part 1 for the disk function as
follows:

RESETDISK
READDISK
WRITEDISK
VERIFYDISK

= 0

= 2

= 3

= 4

With these preliminary definitions
completed, we can use the subrou-
tines at any point in our program by
using POKE to input the appropriate
values, calling the subroutine, and by
using PEEK on the status bytes to de-
termine the status of the operation.

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BYTE December 1983 423

Assume that we want to read data
from a disk and store it in memory.
First we must decide where in the
memory space to place the data buf-
fer. For a 128K-byte machine we
might start the buffer at segment
1000, offset 0000. These values are
entered into the subroutine with

DEF SEG = &H0F00

POKE BUFFERSEGMENTHI,

&H1000
POKE BUFFERSEGMENTLO,

&H0000
POKE BUFFEROFFSETHI,&H0000
POKE BUFFEROFFSETIA&H0000

Let us say that the data is to be read
from disk drive 0, head 0, track 38,
starting at sector 1 and reading three
contiguous sectors. This sequence is
specified with

POKE ACTION,

READDISK

POKE DRIVE,

0

POKE HEAD,

0

POKE TRACK,

38

(or &H26)

POKE SECTOR,

1

POKE NUMBEROFSECTORS, 3

Finally, we need to specify the in-
terrupt number, 13, for the disk func-
tion, call the subroutine, and retrieve
the status results with

POKE INTERRUPT, &H13
CALL BIOSSUB
DISKSTATUS = PEEK(STATUS)
SECTORSTATUS = PEEK(STATUS
SECTORS)

These statements will initiate the
reading of the disk, and the contents
will be transferred to memory.

The BASIC program should first
check that the disk status is zero, in-
dicating a successful operation. If un-
successful, the standard procedure is
to reset the disk and reread, repeat-
ing this attempt up to three times.
Once the data is in memory, it can be
manipulated by the program using
standard BASIC statements, starting
with PEEK and POKE statements to
examine individual bytes.

There are two limitations to note in
the above procedure. First, it is not
possible to read or write to a disk di-

rectly from a buffer defined in the
screen-memory space. The screen-
memory buffer-access timing is coor-
dinated with the screen character-
generator, which inhibits its use
directly as a buffer for disk I/O (in-
put/output). This limitation can be
overcome easily by moving data be-
tween screen memory and regular
memory, as we will illustrate later.
Also, in the BIOS I use, the status
report of the number of sectors ac-
tually written or read, which should
be returned in the AL register, does
not function, and the register has the
value of zero whether or not the ac-
tion was successful. This condition
should not be a serious problem for
most operations.

This subroutine can be used, un-
changed, for any of the BIOS func-
tions. Only use of the POKE state-
ment to input the necessary
parameter values to define the action
desired is necessary. This subroutine
is an efficient way to control the I/O
devices from a BASIC program, and
it may be a useful way for you to ex-
plore the BIOS routines yourself.

I originally developed this subrou-
tine for a disk-utility program that
can list the directory and the file-allo-
cation table and examine or change
any sector of a disk without being
constrained by using DOS. This pro-
gram was not difficult to develop, as
it was possible to work entirely in
BASIC once the preceding sub-
routine was developed.

In the previous subroutines we
have used POKE to enter parameter
values into the machine-language
subroutine. It is also possible to pass
values between the BASIC program
and the subroutine as arguments of
the CALL statement. This procedure
makes the machine-language pro-
gram slightly more complicated to
develop but provides a more flexible
interface between the main program
and the subroutine. The use of argu-
ments will be illustrated in the final
program.

Moving Data within Memory

One use of a program to move data
within memory is in screen applica-
tions. For example, for text or graph-
ics applications you may wish to cre-

ate a working memory area that is
larger than the screen memory. The
screen then becomes a window that
can be moved around to examine the
various portions of the larger repre-
sentation stored in memory. While
this can be done within BASIC, using
PEEK and POKE commands, the
speed of the resulting program is too
slow for most practical applications.

There is a machine-language in-
struction that directs the central pro-
cessing unit to move data from a
source address in memory to a desti-
nation address. The operation code
is A4 if 1 byte is to be moved and A5
if a 2-byte word is to be moved. The
source-offset address is specified by
the contents of the source-index (SI)
register in conjunction with the seg-
ment address contained in the
data-segment (DS) register. The
destination-offset address is taken
from the destination-index (DI)
register together with the segment
address contained in the extra-
segment (ES) register. As part of the
MOV instruction, SI and DI are
automatically incremented or
decremented to point to the next
memory locations. The direction of
these automatic address changes is
controlled by one of the status-
register flags, appropriately named
the direction flag. If this flag is set to
the value 0, SI and DI will be in-
cremented; if set to the value 1, those
registers will be decremented.

This MOV instruction is particu-
larly attractive because it may be pre-
ceded by a single-byte prefix that
specifies that the MOV instruction is
to be repeated continuously until the
CX register has the value zero. This
is referred to as the REP prefix, ma-
chine code F3. The REP instruction
logic automatically decrements the
CX register with each MOV instruc-
tion. Therefore, it provides a com-
plete looping facility, and we need
only load the number of bytes or
words to be moved into the CX regis-
ter, prior to the command, and the
move will continue automatically
until the specified amount of data is
moved. We can now proceed to de-
velop the subroutine.

The first step of our subroutine will
be to store the current segment reg-

424 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 451 on inquiry card.

I

Looks Like an IBM
Works Like an Apple

t ••

ro a land where fruit ^^ and flowers IM reign
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Apple lie

Wildcat

Detachable keyboard

No

STD

Full numeric key pad

Option

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Full functions keys

No

41

Built in disk controller

No

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Parallel printer port

No

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RS 232 serial port

No

STD

Game port

1

2

RGB video out

Option

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Composite video

STD

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RF video for TV

Option

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CP/M

Option

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Hi Res graphics (6 color)

STD

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Low Res graphics (16 color)

STD

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64KB memory

STD

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Half high disk drives

No

STD

Converters for vehicles,

boats, and aircraft

No

Option

Aluminum carrying case

No

Option

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ATRIX PRN RS

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Box 240947 • Charlotte, NC 28224
704/523-8500 • Telex 6843018 DASOU UW

Circle 505 on inquiry card.

ister values on the stack so that they Listing 2: A subroutine that moves data within memory (a) and its position constants (b).
may be restored prior to returning to
the calling program. Because we will (2a)
use only the DS and ES segment reg-
isters, we need to save only these. 680 mmimmmmmmmmmtmmmmmmmmmmmmu
This is done with the following two 690
instructions: 700

710 ' "sovesub" - machine language subroutine

IE for the DS register 720 '

06 for the ES register 730 '

740 DEF SEG=SUBR0UTINESEG

Let's assume we want to store the 750 FOR 1=0 TO 26

current contents of the screen, which 760 READ J

begins at the source address 770 POKE I, J

B000:0000. The destination address of 780 NEXT I

where we want to store the contents 790 ' push DS, ES onto stack

will be 1000:0000. The full screen con- BOO DATA Mile, thOfc

tains 1920 words (24 rows by 80 col- B10 ' load source seg address into A!!

umns, with 2 bytes for each charac- B20 DATA khbB.fchOO^hbO

ter), or 780 words in hexadecimal. 830 ' and transfer to ES

The addresses should be increment- B40 DATA ?<hBe.?<hdB

ed because we will be storing the 350 ' load source offset into SI

screen characters from top to bottom. 860 DATA fchbe.fchOO.&hOO

First we will move the addresses 870 ' load destination seq address into AX

into the appropriate registers. Recall 880 DATA thB8,&h00,&hl0

that it is necessary, when loading 890 ' and transfer to DS

data into the segment registers, to W0 DATA JrhBe.fchcO

load the value first into the AX regis- '« ' load destination offset into DI

ter and then transfer it from the AX ?20 DATA khbi , Ui.86, UlOO

register to the desired segment reg- ?3Q ' load word count into CX

ister. MO DATA lctlfa9,icbS0,&h07

Therefore, the required instructions 950' set direction flag

are as follows: ?60 DATA ihfc

970 ' move instruction

B8,00,B0 (load the source seg- ?B0 DATA Hrf3,itha5

ment into AX) "0 ! "pop" (recover! register values froa stack

8E,8D (transfer AX to DS) 1000 DATA mi.mf

BE,00,00 (load the source offset 1010' return to calling program

into SI) 1020 DATA khcb

B8,00,10 (load the destination 1030'

segment into AX) 1040 '

8E,co (transfer ax to ES) 1050 ' tmtmMmmtMMtmtmtmMMmmMnmmmmmnm

BF,00,00 (load the destination

offset into DI)

B9,80,07 (load CX with the word ( '

count) 1050 'tmmtmmmmmmmmmtmtUimmmmtmmmmmn

FD (clear the direction flag) i 060 '

1070 '

We are now ready to issue the move 1080 ' define position values for subroutine

instruction 1090 '

1300 '

F3,A5 1110 NQVESUB = 0

1120 S0URCESE6H1 = 4

Then we restore the registers and 1130 SOURCESEBLQ = 3

return to the calling program with 1140 SDURCEOFFSETHI = 9

1150 S0URCE0FFSETL0 = 8

07,17,CB 1160 DESTINATI0NSEBH1 =12

1170 DESTINATI0NSEGL0 =11

The actual BASIC statements are il- 1 130 DESTINATI0N0FFSETHI=17 Listing 2b continued on page 428

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 427

Listing 2b continued:

1190 DESTINATION0FFSETL0=16
1200 WORDCBUNTH! =20

1210 H0RDC0UNTL0 =19

1220 RETURN
1230 '
1240 '

1250 'mmtmmmttmmmmmmmmmmmmtmmstmtmm

lustrated in listing 2a. If we give the
subroutine the name Movesub, then
it can be executed at any time from
the BASIC program with the state-
ment

CALL MOVESUB

For ease of use, we have defined
the position values as illustrated in
listing 2b. Now if we want to change
the parameters so that a second call
to the subroutine will store new
screen data in memory, adjacent to
the first block of data, that is, start-
ing at offset address 780, we would
require the following BASIC state-
ments:

DEF SEG = SUBROUTINESEG
POKE DESTINATIONOFFSET-

HI,07
POKE DESTINATIONOFFSET-

LO,80
POKE WORDCOUNTHI,07
POKE WORDCOUNTLO,80
CALL MOVESUB

and the move will be executed very
quickly.

Interfacing with DOS

Earlier, we discussed the use of the
BIOS disk functions to read or write
data records directly onto disks. This
approach can be useful for some ap-
plications, but it leaves the user with
considerable responsibility for keep-
ing track of what information is
located where on the disk, checking
that data is read and written correct-
ly, taking corrective action if there are
faulty sectors on the disk, and so on.
These support facilities are all pro-
vided by DOS, so the final sub-
routine will demonstrate how to in-
terface with DOS. This program is

not new but rather is an application
of the Move subroutine developed
earlier. One instance in which this
program might be used is when we
want to store the contents of the cur-
rent screen display on a disk, or, con-
versely, retrieve a particular screen
display that is stored on a disk.

To develop this application pro-
gram, it is necessary to review the
structure and role of the file-control
block (FCB) used by a BASIC pro-
gram to communicate with DOS. For
each file that is opened in a BASIC
program, an FCB is created in the
main memory space to serve as the
interface between the BASIC pro-
gram and the DOS. The layout of this
FCB is described in the IBM BASIC
manual, chapter 4, as part of the dis-
cussion of the VARPTR (variable
pointer) command. The BASIC state-
ment

y = VARPTR(#file number)

assigns to the variable y the offset ad-
dress of the first byte of the FCB for
a file opened as the specified file
number. This offset address can be
used in conjunction with the seg-
ment address of the BASIC program
to establish the absolute memory ad-
dress of the start of the FCB.

It is not necessary to examine the
detailed layout of the FCB as it is
clearly described in the BASIC
manual. The section that is of interest
for our purpose is the data-buffer
portion of the block. This buffer
begins at byte-offset position 188. The
length of this buffer's data field is de-
fined when you first initiate the
BASIC program with the /S: (buffer
size) command. (The proper form of
this command for the programs
presented here is /S:512, yielding a

decimal 512-byte data-buffer size.) In
normal BASIC operations on random
files, the FIELD statement is used to
point to this data buffer. Our objec-
tive in this subroutine is to bypass the
FIELD statement, which can be too
restrictive when we want to move
relatively large amounts of data into
and out of the buffer and across seg-
ment boundaries.

Given the accessibility of the FCB's
data buffer, we can move data be-
tween the screen and the disk by
using the Move subroutine devel-
oped above and assigning to it the
address of the data buffer as either
the source or destination address,
depending on the direction in which
we want to move data. The GET or
PUT statements can be used to in-
itiate the transfer of data between the
buffer and the disk.

The VARPTR statement returns the
address of the start of the FCB, and
an increment of 188 gives the offset
address of the first byte of the data
buffer. However, we also require the
segment address of the start of the
BASIC workspace. This address is
stored in reserved-memory locations
510-511 (Technical Reference manual,
pages 3-22). Therefore, it will be nec-
essary to extract this segment address
using two PEEK statements.

This completes the technical infor-
mation necessary for the DOS inter-
face. The application will be illus-
trated in the last program.

Arguments of CALL

It will often be more practical to
pass values to the machine-language
subroutine as arguments of the
CALL statement than to use POKE to
input such values to the program as
we have done in previous examples.
To illustrate how this can be done
well develop a program that transfers
data between the screen and disk
through DOS.

This complete program enables
you to create an image on the screen
and then save it on a disk or to have
an image previously stored on a disk
transferred to the screen. Function
keys are used to control the actions
of the program, which include clear-
ing the screen, getting a screen im-
age from a disk, transferring a screen

428 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Introducing a sensible solution
to the problems of dBASE II.

dBASE n

The Sensible Solution

Records Per File

65,535

999,999

Maximum Record Size

1,024 bytes

1,536 bytes

Fields Per Record

32

384

Key Fields Per File

7

10

Number of Files
Simultaneously Accessible

2

10

Number of Screens Per Program

Limited by
system memory

Limited only by
system storage

Data Dictionary

No

Yes

We don't mean to debase dBASE II, but if
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Circle 321 on inquiry card. BYTE December 1983 429

LOAD
"MOVE'UJB"

MAIN

P

ROBRAM

t

DF
SUBf

IVER
;OUT I ME

♦

"MOVE.

SUB "

Figure 1: The structure of a program that moves data between a disk and the screen.

(la)

(lb)

1st argument SOURCE SEGMENT

1st argument

2nd argument SOURCE OFFSET

2nd argument

3rd argument DESTINATION

3rd argument

SEGMENT

4th argument

4th argument DESTINATION

5th argument

OFFSET

CS register

5th argument WORDCOUNT

PC register

CS register RETURN

DS register

SP- PC register ADDRESS

ES register

Sp-

BP register

Table 1: The stack at the time of a subroutine call (a) and

an illustration of the effect of

pushing register contents onto the stack (b).

image to a disk, and stopping the
program. The structure of the com-
plete program is illustrated in figure
1.

The program starts by calling a sub-
routine to load the machine-language
subroutine, a revised version of
Movesub, into memory. The main
program then executes the actions
you have chosen. Whenever you
wish to transfer data between a disk
and the screen, the main program
calls a driver subroutine to effect the
transfer. The driver subroutine will
use the Movesub routine as required.
A listing of the main program is illus-
trated in listing 3a, and two of the
supporting subroutines are illus-
trated in listing 3b.

The drive subroutines (listing 4) are
responsible for transferring one com-
plete screen image to, or from, the
disk. As noted previously, the screen
contains a total of 1920 words, or 3840
bytes. Because a sector of disk can
store only 512 bytes of data, eight sec-
tors will be required for each screen
image. The driver subroutines are re-
sponsible for controlling this data

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When you're debating which multi-user micro to stock and sell,
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MuSYS
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ALTOS
8000-10

Televideo'"
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Mariner

Winchester (ormatled Mbytes
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12BK

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B4K

64K

User TPA

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54K

62K

B- and/or 1 6- bit user processors

YES NO

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VES

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Operating system

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Call or write foi complete inlotmation

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430 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 74 on inquiry card.

See us at

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Circle 493 on inquiry card.

'IBM is a registered trademark ol International Business Machines
'CP/M Is a registered trademark ot Digital Research, Inc.
'MS-DOS is a registered trademark of MicioSolt. Inc.

Dealer and OEM inquiries invited

For further information call

800-821-3628

BYTE December 1983

431

flow and allocation of disk space.
Note that the calls to Movesub have
five arguments that represent source
segment, source offset, destination
segment, destination offset, and
number of words to move.

The machine-language subroutine
closely follows the method described
in Appendix C of the IBM BASIC
manual. When control is transferred
to the machine-language program by
the CALL statement, the memory ad-
dresses of the argument values are
available in the stack pointed at by
the SP. The stack also contains the
code-segment address and program-
counter address at the time of the
call, to be used when control is re-
turned to the calling program. The
structure of the stack at this point is
illustrated in table la.

The subroutine begins by storing
register values DS, ES, and BP onto
the stack with the resulting changes
as illustrated in table lb. The SP is
copied into the base pointer (BP). We
can then use the machine instruction

36,8B,5E,xx

which will copy into BX the 2 bytes
stored at the memory location point-
ed at by BP plus the offset xx con-
tained in the last byte of the instruc-
tion. By assigning the appropriate
value to this offset, we can select
whichever argument address we
want from the stack, as illustrated by
the repetitive use of this instruction
in listing 5. Once the address of the
argument is loaded into BX, the ac-
tual value can be transferred directly
into the desired register as illustrated
in the program.

The balance of the program is a
repetition of the previous subroutine
with the exception of the final state-
ment, the return to the calling pro-
gram. When arguments have been
passed by the CALL statement, it is
necessary to adjust the SP to bypass
these arguments, effectively remov-
ing them from the stack. The adjust-
ment to the pointer is two times the
number of arguments, in this case 2
times 5 (or 10). This adjustment is
made by using a different version of
the return instruction, CA, followed
by the adjustment, resulting in the
Text continued on page 438

432 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Listing 3: The main program that transfers data between disk and screen (a) and its sup-
porting subroutines (b).

(3a)

io 'mmmmmtmmmmmmmmmmmtmtmmmmmmm

30 '

program to move data between screen & diskette

40 '

-illustration of call statement with arguments

40 '

call movesub (source segment, source offset.

70 '

dest. segment, dest. offset, WDrdcount)

80 '

?o tmmmmmuttmmmmmmmmmummtmtmmmmm

100 '

1 1 n '

120 DEFINT A-Z

130 CLEAR ,&HBQO0

140 SUBRBUTINESEBMHF00

150 OPEN "BiSCREEN" AS 11

LEN=

=512

ul J.

160 BQSUB 720

'initialize "siovesub"

170 '

180 '

190 '
200 '

main program

210 '
220 CIS

'clear screen and initialize function keys

230 KEY OFF

240 KEY (1) ON

250 KEY !2) ON

260 KEY 19) ON

270 KEY (10) ON

280 ON KEY (1) B0SUB 490

'stop

290 ON KEY 12! BDSUB 620

'clear screen

300 ON KEY (9) B0SUB 1500

'disk to screen

310 ON KEYi 10) BDSUB 1250
320 '

'screen to disk

330 '

340 LOCATE 25,1

'action control loop

350 BEEP

360

390
400

410
420

PRINT "Write on screen, or ENTER for nest action

INPUT; "", ZZZt

LOCATE 25,1

BEEP

PRINT "Fl-stop F2-clear screen F9-disk to screen FlO-screen to disk";

SPACE* ! 15);
B0TD 410 'wait for function key

STOP

440 '

450 'ttmmmmttmmmmmmmtmmmmnnmmmmmmm

(3b)

460 'mmimmmmmmtmmmmtmmmmmtmmtmmmm

470 '

4B0 ' "stop" subroutine

490 CLOSE #1

500 KEY (1) OFF

510 KEY (2) OFF

520 KEY !9! OFF

530 KEY !10! OFF Listing 3b continued on page 434

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Listing 3b continued:

540 KEY ON
550 RETURN 420
560 '
570 '

580 'nmmmnmnmmtttmmtmtttmmmmnmtmmmtmm

590 '

500 ' clear screen subroutine

610 '

620 '

630 CIS

640 RETURN 340

650 '

660 '

670 'tnttmmtmmtnmmmtmmnttnmttmmmnmtwnm

Listing 4: Driver subroutines for disk-screen data transfers.

1220
1230
1240
1250
1260
1270
1280
1290
1300
1310
1320
1330
1340
1350
1360
1370

1380
1390
1400
1410
1420

1430
1440
1450
1460
1470
1480
1490
1500
1510
1520
1530
1540
1550
1560
1570

tmmmmtmtmmmummmmmmmmmmmmtmmt

"aove screen to disk" - driver subroutine

LOCATE 25,1: PRINT SPACE* !79);

LOCATE 25,1

BEEP

DEF SEG:PDKE 106,0

INPUT; "F-10 screen to disk; enter screen iaage #:\SCREENIr1A6E7.

SCREEN0FFSET7.=0

H0RBC0UNT7.=256

DEF SEG=SUBR0UTINESEG7.

FOR REC0RDN02=SCREENIf1AGEXt8 TO SCREENIHA6E7.I8+6

CALL HOVESUB7.(SCREENSEB7.,SCREENOFFSETX,FCBSE67.,FCB1DATAOFFSETX,
WORDCOUNT?)

PUT #1,REC0RDNDX

SCREENQFFSEn=SCREEN0FFSET7.+512
NEXT REC0RDN07.
W0RDC0UNTX=!24t80-7»256)

CALL M0VESUB7.(SCREENSEG7.,SCREEN0FFSET7.,FCBSE67.,FCB1DATADFFSET7.,
W0RDC0UNT7.)
PUT 11, SCREENIMAGEItB+7
RETURN 340

'mmttmmmmttmmttmtmmmmmtmmmmtnnmm

"iove disk to screen" - driver subroutine

LOCATE 25,1: PRINT SPACE* !79);

LOCATE 25,1

BEEP

DEF SEG:P0KE 106,0

INPUT; "F-9 disk to screen: enter screen inage #:", SCREEN IMAGE*

Listing 4 continued on page 436

434 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Circle 23 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 19&3 435

Listing 4 continued:

1580
1590
1600
1610
1620
1630

1640

1650
1660
1670
1680
1690
1700
1710
1720

SCREENOFFSETX=0

H0RBC0UNTX=256

DEF SE6=SUBR00TINESE6X

FOR REC0RDN0= SCREEN I MA6EX * B TO SCREENIr1A6EXt8+6

BET il.RECORDNO

CALL MO VESUBZ ( FCBSE62 , FCB 1 DATAOFFSETX , SCREENSEBX , SCREENOFFSET% ,
WORDCOUNTX)

SCREEN0FFSEn=SCREEN0FFSET7.+512
NEXT RECORDNO
W0RDCQUNT7.= !24tB0-7l256)
BET II, SCREENIMA6EX18+7

CALL M0VESUB3 (FCBSE6Z, FCB1 DATAOFFSETX, SCREENSEBX, SCREENOFFSETX, HORDCOUNTX)
RETURN 340

'tnmtmmtmttnmmtmmmmnmmtntmnmmtmnn

"siovesub" - machine language subroutine
- call statenent with argutents

Listing 5: A subroutine with CALL arguments.

6bo 'mtmmmmtmmmmmtmttmmmtmmmtmmmmm

690 '

700 '

710 '

720 '

730 '

740 DEF SE6=SUBR0UTINESEBX

750 RESTORE BIO

760 FOR 1=0 TO 48

770 READ J

7B0 POKE I, J

790 NEXT I

800 ' push DS, ES, BP onto stack; move SP to BP

BIO DATA Mile.J^&hSS^hBb.&hec

820 ' load 1st arguaent address into BX

830 DATA &h36,?!h8b,&h5e,fchl2

840 ' and get value into DS

850 DATA fth36,fchBB,&hH

860 ' load 2nd argument address into BX

870 DATA &h36, JthBb, &h5e, &H10

380 ' and get value into SI

890 DATA Uf3&-9Ul8b,Ut37

900 '

910 DATA &h36,&hBb,&h5e,&h0e

920 '

930 DATA Mi36,&hBe,&h07

940 '

950 DATA &h36,&hSb,&h5e,yi0c

960 '

970 DATA &h36,fchBb,&h3f

980 '

990 DATA fch36,fch8b,&h5e,ith0a

1000 '

1010 DATA &h36,&h8b,&h0f

1020 '

1030 DATA fchfc

1040 '

load 3rd argument address into BX

and get value into ES
load 4th argument address into BX

and get value into BI
load 5th argument address into BX

and get yalue into CX
set direction flag

move instruction

Listing 5 continued on page 438

436 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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... Or these Toshiba Regional
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Circle 434 on inquiry card.

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Development Corporation. ©1983 Toshiba America, Inc.

BYTE December 1983 437

Circle 431 on inquiry card.

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"pop" (recover) register values from stack
return wi th displacement yalue ft(=2t5 arguments)

define constants

Listing 5 continued:

1050 DATA Ithf3,itha5

1060 '

1070 DATA &h5d,&h07,&hH

1080 '

1090 DATA ihca,&h0a,&h00

1100 '

1110 '

1120 '

1130 H0VESUB7X)

1140 SCREENSEBZ=fcHB000

1150 SCREENOFFSETMHQ

1160 DEF BEG=I(H0

1170 FCBSEBX=PEEK (fcH51 1) »256+PEEK f ItHSlO) 'BASIC segment address

HBO FCBlDATA0FFSET7.= (VARPTR(tl)+18B)

1190 RETURN

1200 '

1210 '

1220 'nmmmmwtmmmtmmmmMtttmmmttwmmmmt

Text continued from page 432:

complete instruction

CA,0A,00

There is one important cautionary
comment to note in transferring
memory addresses as arguments of
a CALL statement, as we have done
in this case. Here we wanted to trans-
fer addresses for the source, destina-
tion, and word counts, as values for
this subroutine. These addresses
must be transferred as 2-byte integer
representations. IBM BASIC has a
peculiarity concerning the rep-
resentation of integers. When integer
variables are declared using the DE-
FINT statement at the start of a pro-
gram, the variables represent integer
values externally but, in fact, are
stored in memory in 4, rather than 2,
bytes. This representation cannot be
used for these machine programs.
Only when each integer variable is
declared to be an integer by having
the suffix "%" added will the rep-
resentation in memory be in true
2-byte integer form. For this reason
all of the variables, such as Source-
seg%, include the necessary suffix.

Conclusion

The objective of this discussion of
the use of POKEing in the IBM PC
has been to illustrate several short,
powerful machine-language subrou-

tines that can be incorporated into a
BASIC program. These subroutines
provided access to the facilities of the
BIOS for peripheral device control
and methods for moving data from
one location to another in memory,
particularly interfacing with DOS
and disk storage. The advantages of
this approach are to combine the
speed and efficiency of machine-level
subroutines for performing routine
and high-volume operations with the
simplicity of using BASIC for devel-
oping the logic for a specific applica-
tion.

For those readers who have not
had extensive contact with machine-
language programs, I hope that these
examples enable you to investigate
the PC and its inner workings and
provide a useful tool for the develop-
ment of your own applications. ■

For Futher Information

For further information on the
machine and assembly language
of the 8086 of the IBM PC, refer to
The 8086 Book by Russell Rector
and George Alexy (Berkeley, CA:
Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1980).

Hugh R. Hoiuson, Ph.D., C.A., is on the facul-
ty of Management at McCill University (1001 Sher-
brooke St. W, Montreal, PQ , Canada H3A 1G5).

438 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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dBASE II On-Disk Tutorial) for free.

For the name of your nearest
dBASE II dealer, contact Ashton-Tate,
10150 West Jefferson Boulevard, Culver

City, C A 90230,(800)437-4329, ext. 212.

In the U.K., call (0908) 568866.

ASHTON -TATE

See us at Comdex booth #3554 & #3654.

dBASE II is a registered trademark of Ashton-Tate.
©Ashton-Tate 1983

Circle 35 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

439

SyWMW'ih

u

Only

the Texas Instruments

Professional Computer

offers these 7 advantages

that add up to more computer

for your money

If you're a smart business profes-
sional, you want a business computer
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Instruments has the answer: the TI
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The Disk Storage
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The TI Professional Computer gives
you standard 320K floppy disk stor-
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storage of the leading competitor.

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We give you 12 function keys that
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There's software available now for
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Our standard features like the floppy
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Which leads to one of our most
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No one wants to buy a personal
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Get the business computer that
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■*

Texas
Instruments

Creating useful products
and services for you.

Copyright © 1981 Texas Instruments

1-2-3 and Locus are trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation

261477 -Rl

BYTE December 1983

441

i Gifford gives you more.

When you go with Gifford, you
get more than you ever thought
possible from a multiuser computer
system. Or a computer company.
More productivity. More flexibility.
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(41S) 895-0798 A division of G&G Engineering
I'D LIKE THE WHOLE STORY.
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Title

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D Piease have a representative call me.

By-P

GIFFORD COMPUTER SYSTEMS □ San Leandro, CA (415) 895-0798 □ San Francisco, CA (415) 391-4570 □ Los Angeles, CA( 213) 477-3921
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Circle 199 on inquiry card.

The CMOS 6502

A new version of the 6502 microprocessor does more than save
power— it includes powerful new instructions

Rockwell has introduced a CMOS
(complementary metal-oxide semi-
conductor) version of the 6502 micro-
processor that fills a number of gaps
in the standard 6502's instruction set
while offering the low power-con-
sumption advantages of CMOS tech-
nology. Pin and software compatible
with the standard 6502 chip, the
CMOS version (designated the
R65C02) promises to extend the range
of applications that 6502-based pack-
ages can serve.

A mainstay of the personal-com-
puter industry since the first Apple
computer was produced, the stan-
dard 6502 microprocessor has a sim-
ple, straightforward instruction set
and simple interfacing requirements.
The instruction set at first appears to
be restricted in comparison to other
8-bit processors such as the Z80, but,
in practice, the simplicity of the in-
struction set often yields a shorter,
faster program for common micro-
processor applications. The instruc-
tion set does have restrictions on the
use of certain addressing modes with
some instructions and has several
minor anomalies that are poorly
documented.

by Steven Hendrix

In this article I will discuss some of
the 6502's lesser-known deficiencies
and the changes in the CMOS ver-
sion that correct some of these prob-
lems. I will also review the CMOS
version's instructions and added ad-

Several 6502

instructions don't

behave as you might

expect them to.

dressing modes, and finally I will
describe some hardware interfacing
considerations.

Quirks of the 6502

Several instructions on the 6502 do
not behave as the documentation
would have you believe. These irreg-
ularities rarely affect programs,
which makes them more difficult to
debug when they do enter into a pro-
gram. The quirks discussed here per-
tain to the return-fro m-interrupt in-
struction, the branch-instruction tim-
ing, the absolute indirect-addressing
mode, and bus cycles on certain
index-addressing modes. The CMOS

version's design has not altered the
return-from-interrupt and branch-
instruction timing; therefore, the in-
formation presented on these topics
pertains to both the standard and
CMOS versions of the 6502. The
CMOS version's design, however,
has corrected the absolute indirect-
addressing mode and bus-cycle
anomalies.

RTI versus RTS

The RTI (return-from-interrupt) in-
struction appears functionally equiv-
alent to the sequence PLP (pull status
register from stack), RTS (return from
subroutine). An interrupt is acknowl-
edged at the end of an instruction, at
which time the processor pushes the
contents of the program counter on
the stack, high byte followed by low
byte, and then pushes the processor-
status byte on the stack before jump-
ing through the interrupt vector to
the interrupt-handling routine.

The difference between the RTI in-
struction and the PLP, RTS sequence
lies in the sequence in which the pro-
gram counter is incremented. During
a JSR (jump to subroutine), the value
pushed on the stack is the address of

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

443

the third byte of the JSR instruction.
Thus, the program counter is re-
loaded during an RTS instruction and
then incremented before the attempt
to fetch the next instruction. An in-
terrupt pushes the address of the first
byte of the next instruction to be ex-
ecuted, so the RTI instruction reloads
the program counter and fetches the
next instruction without first in-
crementing the program counter.
This difference becomes especially
important in writing software for
tracing or single-stepping functions.

Branch-Instruction Timing

The branch-instruction timing
problem lies not with the 6502, but
rather with its documentation. The
original data sheets specify the tim-
ing correctly, but several independent
tutorials have incorrectly stated how
long a branch instruction takes.

Unlike most other 6502 instruc-
tions, a branch instruction requires a
variable number of clock cycles—
from two to four, depending on the
circumstances surrounding the

branch.

During the first clock cycle (bus cy-
cle), the processor fetches the branch
op code. The second cycle fetches the
second byte of the instruction, which
is the offset to be used if the branch
is taken.

Several independent
tutorials have confused
6502 branch-
instruction timing
considerations.

If the branch condition (flag set or
cleared) is not met, the fetch for the
next instruction occurs during the
next clock cycle. If the branch is
taken, the next cycle is used to add
the offset to the low-order byte of the
program counter. If there is a carry or
borrow from this operation (consider-
ing the offset to be a signed value),
a fourth clock cycle is used to update
the high-order byte of the program
counter.

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The net result is that a branch that
is not taken requires two clock cycles.
A branch to a location within the
same page requires three clock cycles,
and only in the case of a branch that
crosses a page boundary does the in-
struction require the full four cycles.
Typical timing loops, especially for
intervals under a millisecond or so,
require close attention to these details
of the branch-instruction timing.

Absolute Indirect
Mode Wraparound

The absolute indirect-addressing
mode works only with the JMP
(jump) instruction. In normal use, it
is a 3-byte instruction: the first byte
contains the op code (6C)(all instruc-
tions and addresses are specified in
hexadecimal); the second byte con-
tains the low-order part of a memory
address; and the third byte contains
the high-order part of that address.
The processor loads the byte at the
referenced address into the low half
of the program counter, and it loads
the byte in the next higher memory
location into the high half of the pro-
gram counter. Thus, the instruction's
effect is to jump to the location
specified by the two bytes stored at
the address given in the instruction.

A problem arises, however, when
the jump destination is stored with
the two bytes split between two
memory pages (that is, if the second
byte of the instruction is FF). The pro-
cessor loads the referenced byte into
the low half of the program counter
and attempts to increment the ad-
dress given in the instruction to load
the high byte. However, it disregards
the carry from the increment opera-
tion on the low byte of the address,
with the result that the high byte of
the program counter is loaded from
the memory location 255 bytes prior
to the referenced location.

In table 1 the JMP instructions il-
lustrate this problem. The left-hand-
column code operates correctly, load-
ing the value A345 into the program
counter. The right-hand-column
code, however, does not correctly
load the value A345 into the pro-
gram. It does load the value 45,
stored at location 02FF, into the pro-
gram counter's low-order byte, but

444 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 281 on inquiry card.

l_ plK

.Ne« PRODUCTS.

Before Johann Sebastian Bach developed
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SYSTEMS INC;

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Circle 39 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 445

Brief Form

High Level
Language

To Run On
Micro Or
Minicomputer

Submit a one-page program
description to:

ECG

21 738 So. AvaionBlvd.
P.O. Box 145
Carson, CA 90746

All replies will be acknowledged.

A345 J MP (0200)

0200 45

0201 A3

Result: A345 - PC

A345 JMP (02FF)

0200 59

02FF 45

0300 A3

Result: 5945 - PC

Table 1: Two sets of memory contents il-
lustrating operation of the 6502 ]MP in-
struction. The left-hand column of code
operates as expected, but due to an instruc-
tion-set anomaly, the right-hand column's
code yields an unexpected result because
the program counter's desired high-order
byte resides in a different page of memory
than does the low-order byte.

rather than transferring to the next
page of memory to obtain the high-
order program-counter byte from
location 0300, it incorrectly loads the
value stored at location 0200 (59 in
this case) into the program counter's
high-order byte.

This anomaly can cause major
problems when you attempt to devel-
op general-purpose table-driven soft-
ware. If the application program does
not contain special code to insure that
an indirect jump never references an
address at the end of a page, unpre-
dictable behavior that is difficult to
trace can result. The R65C02 report-
edly handles the absolute indirect-
addressing mode correctly for all
cases.

Spurious Bus-Read Cycles

A rare problem with I/O (input/
output) devices can occur because of
the nature of the 6502 bus. Two spe-
cific factors combine to cause this
problem: all I/O is memory-mapped,
and there is no such thing as an in-
active bus cycle. In some cases, in-
dexed instructions can lead to inad-
vertent accesses to I/O devices be-
cause of these two facts.

The 6502 treats memory and I/O
ports alike, viewing both as memory.
As a result, a system's decoding hard-
ware causes I/O ports to appear at
specific locations that look like part
of the memory-address space to the
6502. A "read" bus cycle addressing
a port acts as an "input" operation,
and a "write" cycle acts as an

"output" operation.

The 6502 does not have separate
pins for a "read" and a "write" signal,
as do other processors such as the
8080 or the Z80. Instead, the R/W
(read/write) signal is used to
designate a "read" cycle if it is in a
high state or a "write" cycle if it is in
a low state. Timing is coordinated by
the Phase 2 clock. If the read/write
line is high when the Phase 2 clock
is high, the device whose address ap-
pears on the address bus places data
on the data bus. If the read/write line
is low while the Phase 2 clock is high,
the addressed device accepts data
from the bus.

To show how indexed instructions
can interfere with I/O devices, let's
examine the bus cycles carried out to
load the accumulator from an abso-
lute address indexed by the X regis-
ter. In standard 6502 mnemonics, this
load instruction is LDA ADDR,X.
This instruction takes four cycles un-
less the indexing crosses page
boundaries, in which case it takes
five. The latter is the troublemaker.

During the first cycle, the 6502
fetches the op code. The second and
third cycles are used to fetch the low
and high bytes of ADDR, respective-
ly. If the indexing operation does not
cross a page boundary, the sum of
ADDR and X is placed on the ad-
dress bus during the next cycle, and
the A register is loaded from the data
bus, finishing the instruction. If a
page boundary is crossed, however,
a partially formed address is placed
on the bus during cycle four and the
actual load happens in a fifth cycle.
For normal memory access, the fifth
cycle does no harm because it is a
read cycle, resulting in memory plac-
ing data on the bus but no registers
or memory being changed by it.
(Even if the instruction is a store in-
struction, the cycle involving this par-
tially formed address is a read cycle.)

Certain I/O devices, however, are
affected by read operations. For in-
stance, a spurious read from a 6850
ACIA (Asychronous Communica-
tions Interface Adapter) could reset
the "receive data register full" flag, so
that a later operation would find that
data was not available. Various other
I/O devices such as parallel ports and

446 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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©1983 Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.

BYTE December 1983

447

counter/timers can also be affected by
spurious reads. If the indexed ad-
dress crosses a page boundary from
the page in which the I/O device re-
sides, the partially formed address
placed on the bus during the fourth
bus cycle can trip the I/O device. The
R65C02 reportedly corrects this prob-
lem.

New Instructions

The R65C02 includes a number of
new instructions, making it more
powerful than the 6502. (The text box
"An Assembler for the R65C02" on
page 452 describes an assembler that
supports the R65C02's extended in-
struction set.) Conditional branching
based on the state of any bit in page
0, an unconditional short relative
branch, stack operations for the X
and Y registers, the ability to set or
clear any individual bit in page 0,
zeroing any byte in memory, and a
"test and reset" or "test and set"
memory bit instruction have been
added.

The BBRx (branch on bit reset) in-

structions permit any bit in page 0 to
be used as a flag. These are 3-byte in-
structions, with the op code in the
first byte, the page-0 address of the
byte containing the flag in the second
byte, and the relative jump displace-
ment in the third byte. Bits 6 through

The R65C02 includes a
number of new

instructions, making it
more powerful than
the standard 6502.

4 of the op code give (in binary) the
number of the bit within the page-0
byte to be tested. The processor reads
the byte from page 0, checks the bit
designated by the op code, and con-
tinues normal program flow if the
designated bit is a 1. If it is a 0, a nor-
mal signed relative short branch is ex-
ecuted, using the third byte of the in-
struction for the offset. The BBSx
(branch on bit set) instructions do the

same thing except that they take the
branch only if the referenced bit is set
to 1.

Unconditional Short Branch

The unconditional short-branch in-
struction (BRA) eases writing of po-
sition-independent code and in some
cases allows shorter code. With the
6502, a sequence such as SEC (set
carry), BCS (branch if carry set) is
sometimes necessary to cause an un-
conditional position-independent
jump. Even that sequence requires 3
bytes, as does a normal absolute
jump (JMP). The BRA instruction
permits an unconditional, posi-
tion-independent branch requiring
only 2 bytes.

Four new stack-manipulation in-
structions have been added to act on
the X and Y registers. In 6502 pro-
grams, the X and Y registers could be
pushed only by transferring them
first to the A register. Thus, the nor-
mal sequence for saving the registers
for an interrupt routine went some-
thing like this: PHA (push the A

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448 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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449

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register on the stack), TXA (transfer
X to A), PHA, TYA (transfer Y to A),
PHA. This sequence required extra
time and memory and also made it
difficult for a routine to save and
restore all the registers and make use
of a value passed to it in the A
register. The four new instructions
permit direct pushing and pulling of
both the X and Y registers.

Set and Clear Page-0 Bits

Companions to the BBRx and BBSx
instructions, the RMBx (reset-mem-
ory bit) and SMBx (set-memory bit)
instructions permit setting and clear-
ing single-bit flags in page 0 without
affecting any internal processor reg-
isters accessible to the programmer.
As before, bits 6 through 4 of the op
code specify which bit is affected,
and the second byte of the instruc-
tion specifies the page-0 location
affected.

The new STZ (store zero) instruc-
tion permits zeroing an entire byte
anywhere in memory without affect-
ing processor registers. Four available
addressing modes allow a 2-byte
form for page-0 operations and a
3-byte form for general addresses,
either of which may be indexed by
the X register.

The TRB (test and reset bits) in-
struction is a composite of the 6502
BIT (bit test) and AND (logical and)
instructions. The N (negative) flag is
set to the value of bit 7 of the refer-
enced memory location, and the V
(overflow) flag is set to the value of
bit 6. A logical AND is then per-
formed between the referenced
memory location and the A register,
with the result stored into the mem-
ory location (A is unaffected), and
the Z (zero) flag is changed to in-
dicate the result of this operation (set
if the result is 0, reset if it is nonzero).
Note that, just as on the 6502, the N
and V flags pertain to the value in
memory before the AND operation
takes place. The TSB (test and set
bits) instruction is similar except that
a logical OR is substituted for the
logical AND operation.

Addressing Modes

In addition to totally new instruc-
tions, the R65C02 enables some exist-

ing addressing modes to be used
with instructions that did not accept
those modes on the original 6502. It
also adds an entirely new addressing
mode usable with a number of pres-
ent instructions that should prove
useful in making better use of the
processor registers.

The 6502 has no simple indirect-
addressing mode other than the JMP
instruction. With no 16-bit registers to
hold addresses, 6502 programs fre-
quently keep addresses in page 0, es-
pecially when passing addresses to
and from subroutines. However, the
only way to use those addresses to

The R65C02 includes a

simple indirect-
addressing mode using
a 2-byte address.

access the data to which they point
is through the pre- or post-indexed
indirect-addressing modes. Thus, a
common sequence in programs con-
sists of loading the Y register with 0,
followed by an operation using the
"indirect, indexed by Y" addressing
mode. Not only does this sequence
result in extra code requiring addi-
tional memory space and execution
time, but it ties up the Y register,
which might be better used in other
ways.

The R65C02 corrects this deficien-
cy by adding a simple indirect-ad-
dressing mode, which uses a 2-byte
address stored in page 0. This ad-
dressing mode can be used with all
the major accumulator instructions:
ADC (add with carry), AND (logical
and), CMP (compare memory with
accumulator), EOR (logical exclusive-
or), LDA (load accumulator from
memory), ORA (logical inclusive-or),
SBC (subtract with borrow), and STA
(store accumulator to memory).

New Modes for BIT

The BIT (bit test) instruction of the
6502 is severely limited in addressing
modes. This instruction accepts only
two modes: absolute (direct) and 0
page. Because this instruction func-

tions as a logical AND except that the
result is discarded, it is normally
used to test flags. Most such tests
would be most conveniently done
with an immediate addressing mode,
which is not permitted. Instead, 6502
programs must use a backward form
of logic, loading the test mask using
the immediate mode and then doing
the test on the data directly from
memory.

The R65C02 BIT instruction permits
additional addressing modes— im-
mediate, 0-page indexed, and abso-
lute indexed. These added modes
cover the vast majority of the situa-
tions in which this instruction would
be used.

Increment and
Decrement Accumulator

Arithmetic on the X and Y registers
is not permitted by the 6502; neither
is incrementing or decrementing the
accumulator. Though such a need is
rare, it does arise, and the lack of an
accumulator-addressing mode for the
increment and decrement instruction
results in various kludges to get the
desired result. Three alternate ways
are commonly used. The most ob-
vious is to use the ADC (add with
carry) instruction to add an im-
mediate value of 1. Because the 6502
does not provide a simple "add" in-
struction (without carry), this alter-
nate method also requires a preced-
ing CLC (clear carry) instruction, un-
less the state of the carry bit from
prior operations is known. Alterna-
tively, setting the carry bit followed
by adding an immediate value of 0
accomplishes the same thing.

If the X or Y registers are not in use
at the particular point in the pro-
gram, it is possible to transfer the
value from the A register to one of
those registers and take advantage of
the increment or decrement instruc-
tions for X and Y A third method,
most commonly used when the next
step is to store the accumulator value
in memory, is to store the A register
value first and then increment it in
memory, because the INC (incre-
ment) and DEC (decrement) instruc-
tions accept several different address-
ing modes for operations directly on
data in memory.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 451

Circle 488 on inquiry card.

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The R65C02 eliminates all of this
foolishness by allowing the accumu-
lator-addressing mode to be used
with the increment and decrement
instructions, enabling them to oper-
ate on all three of the general-pur-
pose registers.

Hardware Factors

The R65C02 has the electrical char-
acteristics you would expect from the
current generation of CMOS inte-
grated circuits. Versions for speeds to
6 MHz will probably be available.
Power consumption is low and varies
with speed, as is normal for CMOS
technology. With the clock stopped,
10 /*W power consumption is listed as
maximum. Maximum power con-
sumption in normal operation is
listed as 4 mA (20 mW) per MHz,
making battery-powered operation
feasible when this chip is combined
with the new CMOS memory chips.

Rockwell claims that the basic
R65C02 version is pin and software
compatible with the 6502. Another
version, the R65C102, can generate all
clock signals on-chip; it needs only
an external TTL (transistor-transistor
logic) level single-phase clock input
(as does the 6502) or an external RC
network or crystal. It also has a quad-
rature clock output, which is not pro-
vided by the 6502. This clock goes
high in the middle of the phase-1
clock and returns low in the middle
of the phase-2 clock.

The 6502 has not been commonly
used in applications requiring multi-
ple processors or direct-memory ac-
cess, largely because it cannot float its
address bus. Both the R65C102 and
another version, the R65C112, have
signals to permit bus sharing. The
bus-enable (BE) signal permits an ex-
ternal device to cause the processor
to float the address and data buses
and the R/W signal, permitting
access to the system buses. To pre-
vent bus arbitration from interfering
with read-modify-write instructions
such as shifts and increments, a
memory-lock (ML) output signal is
provided to notify external devices
that the processor cannot relinquish
the bus until completion of the
instruction. The R65C112 is designed
to be used as a slave processor, re-

quiring a two-phase clock input that
would be generated by the system
master processor.

Summary

The CMOS version of the 6502 chip
fills in a number of gaps in the 6502
instruction set in addition to adding
the obvious advantages of CMOS
technology. The characteristics of the
new chip permit the 6502 to expand
in both directions into areas that were
previously impractical. Completely
battery-powered systems are now
feasible for small, dedicated applica-
tions. Additionally, the added bus
control permits multiple-processor
systems and sophisticated direct-
memory-access schemes to be used
with this processor.

Perhaps the most impressive fea-
ture of the CMOS version is complete
compatibility with the 6502 specifica-
tions, permitting the enormous base
of 6502-based hardware and software
to be used with the newer processor.
The R65C02 processor represents a
step above the 6502 similar to the step
from the 6800 to the 6502, without
the accompanying compatibility
problems. The current popularity of
6502-based personal computers pro-
vides a large market for new applica-
tions of this processor. ■

An Assembler for the R65C02

HEXASM is a full-feature resident
assembler that supports the R65C02 mi-
croprocessor's extended instruction set. In
addition to including such features as
macros, conditional-assembly, and source-
file-chaining functions, it can optionally
be configured to either accept or reject con-
structs that are unique to the R65C02.
HEXASM runs under HEXDOS on Ohio
Scientific's OSI C1P and is available for
$38.50 from Hx Computer Products, Route
8, Box 81E, New Braunfels, TX 78130 or
The 6502 Program Exchange, 2920 West
Moana, Reno, NV 89509.

Steve Hendrix, an instructor pilot for the U.S.
Air Force, has a B.S. in computer science and mathe-
matics from the USAF Academy. He can be reached
at Route 8, Box 81E, New Braunfels, TX 78130. His
hobbies include computers and astronomy.

452 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983 453

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BYTE December 1983 455

Standard Pascal for Your IBM PC, MS-DOS, CP/M 86, and CP/M 80 Computers

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A Tiger Meets a Dragon

An examination of the mathematical properties of dragon curves
and a program to print them on an IDS Paper Tiger printer

Martin Gardner's "Mathematical
Games" column in Scientific American
(now Douglas Hofstadter's "Meta-
magical Themas" column) was a trea-
sure chest of ideas for computer hob-
byists. A few years ago Gardner
described a computer-plotted exam-
ple of a design he called a dragon
curve (see figure 1). If you use your
imagination you can see the resem-
blance to the classic oriental dragon—
hence its name. Donald Knuth,
mathematician and computer scien-
tist, has done a great deal of work
documenting the significance of the
dragon-curve design and its relation-
ship to number theory. Knuth was so
impressed with the design that he re-
produced it in ceramic tiles for the
entryway of his home.

Fascinated by the beauty of dragon
curves and intrigued by their binary
nature, I wanted to create such de-
signs to adorn my own walls. I wrote
two programs for my TRS-80 Model
I to output the design to my IDS
Paper Tiger printer: a curve generator
and a plotter emulator. In this article
I will describe the theory of the
dragon curve, methods of its con-
struction, and its relationship to the
broader generalized dragon design.
I will also describe how to use TRS-80
disk memory to enhance the graphics
potential of the IDS Paper Tiger,

by Dan Rollins

enabling it to work like a plotter to fill
an 8V2- by 11-inch printer page with
high-resolution figures.

Constructing the Dragon Curve

Dragons are designated by size, or
order, of the dragon curve. There are
several ways to construct these de-
signs. The first two methods I de-
scribe will help you visualize the pro-

Folding the paper

using any arbitrary

sequence of directions

will generate a line

with the properties of

a classical dragon

curve.

cedure. The latter two are algorithms
suitable for computer programming.
A way to define a dragon design
geometrically is shown in figure 2.
Start with a large right angle. This is
an order-1 design. Erase part of the
two line segments and replace each
with smaller "folds" that intersect at
right angles to create an order-2 de-
sign. To build larger dragon curves,
follow the same procedure using the
previously defined design. At each

step, replace n straight lines with n
right angles to create an order-H + 1
dragon.

Another way to generate simple,
low-order dragons is to fold and re-
fold a narrow band of paper. This
idea was the basis for physicist John
E. Heighway's discovery of the
dragon curve. Visualize a flat strip of
cash-register tape— an order-0 dragon
curve. Fold it once in the center, and
you have an order-1 dragon. Bisecting
the tape by folding it n times, always
in the same direction, will create an
order-n dragon curve (see figure 3).
Because this operation will divide the
paper into In areas, an unfolded
order- n tape will have 2" — 1 right-
angle creases. (An old saw says that
regardless of its thickness and length,
no strip of paper can be folded more
than seven times, but for this discus-
sion, we will ignore this physical
restriction.)

Now unfold the tape so that the
creases form 90-degree angles. The
unfolded tape will have a pattern of
left and right turns that wind around
in seemingly random directions. The
dragon sequence is easier to describe
when we designate a left turn as L,
a right turn as R, and give the name
S to the typographical string (the L,R
sequence). If we choose L as the
direction the tape bends on its first

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 457

Figure 1: An order-12 classical dragon curve.
This dragon curve was constructed on a
TRS-80 Model I using the Gendragn program.
It was printed on an IDS Paper Tiger, used
with the Diskplot print routines as a plotting
device.

ORDER 1

_^

/ ORDER 2

ORDER 3

ORDER 4

Figure 2: The geometric method of construct-
ing dragon curves. Note that the side of dragon
curve order-n becomes the hypotenuse oforder-
n+L

ORDER 0

ORDER 1

ORDER 2

ORDER 3

UNFOLDED ORDER 3

Figure 3: The paper-tape method of construction.

ORDER-4 DRAGON -

DESCRIBED WITH ARCS

( AS SEEN IN HARD COPY FIGS.)

Figure 4: An order-4 dragon "rounded
off" using (quadrant) arcs at every
90-degree angle. Compare to figure 1. The
output of Diskplot uses this procedure.

.1 J i. .1

Figure 6: Folding the paper tape alternately
left, then right, forms this isosceles dragon.

Figure 5: Four order-7 dragons placed "tail
to tail."

458 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

fold, the lowest-order strings are
described as follows:

S(l) = L

S(2) = LLR

S(3) = LLRLLRR

S(4) = LLRLLRRLLLRRLRR

Building dragon sequences with a
computer is a matter of manipulating
the L,R strings. Notice that S(n+ 1) is
a superset of sequence S(«). The
emerging pattern can be extrapolated
by either of the following recursive
techniques:

Algorithm 1: To S(rc), add an L.
Then add the string obtained by in-
verting the center character of S(rc);
that is, if the center character is an R,
make it an L and vice versa. Thus, be-
cause S(2) is LLR, S(3) is made up of
LLR + L + LRR.

Algorithm 2: Add an L to S(«),
then add the inverted and reversed
sequence S(n). For example, because
S(3) = LLRLLRR, its inverted form is
RRLRRLL. Rearranging these charac-
ters so that the last is first and the
next to last is second, etc., creates the
string LLRRLRR. So S(4) is S(3) + L+
S(3) or LLRLLRR + L + LLRRLRR.
The result is akin to placing two
order-n dragons snout to snout, pro-
ducing the order-M+1 dragon. Sym-
bolically, this algorithm most closely
resembles the folding of the cash-reg-
ister tape and is the method used in
listing 1, the BASIC dragon-generat-
ing program (Gendragn).

The dragon generated by either of
these algorithms will have some in-
teresting properties: the line repre-
senting any order dragon will never
cross itself; any point along the trac-
ing grid will be touched by at most
two bends of the line, and no line
segment will ever be traced twice.
This is easiest to see when the cor-
ners of the bends are rounded (see
figure 4).

Figure 5 illustrates a significant
topographical property of dragon
curves. That is, that an order- oo
design will cover exactly one-quarter
of the infinite plane (OK, one-quarter
of oo is oo, but never mind that); four
such dragons joined at their tails (see
the center of figure 5) will fill the in-
finite plane without crossing one
another.

j4

CCkj

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Figure 7: An illustration of the recursive nature of the isosceles dragon. Each triangle is made
up of combinations of smaller triangles.

The Generalized Dragon Curve

Until now we've discussed only the
"classical dragon curve," the figure
drawn when the cash-register tape is
always folded over to the left. It is
easy to see that folding always to the
right produces a mirror-image of the
classical dragon (the "head" is the
"tail" and vice versa). An alternating
sequence of directions can also be
used in the folding process. Figure 6
is a drawing of an order-12 "general-
ized dragon" when the first fold is to
the left, the second to the right, the
next to the left, etc. After the ap-
parent randomness of the classical
dragon, this one may come as a sur-
prise. However, note the standard
dragon features: the design will fill
one-quarter of the plane, and it never
crosses over itself. Figure 7 is an
order-5 dragon with this LRLRL
direction-reversal sequence. The
recursive nature of this beast was il-
lustrated by changing the dot pattern
at each step of the inversion process.

Going one step further, it can be

proven that folding the paper using
any arbitrary sequence of directions will
generate a line with the same
draconic properties. (See reference 2
for the elegant proof formulated by
Davis and Knuth.) There are, of
course, an infinite number of such
combinations, some of them quite
intriguing.

Given a direction-reversal se-
quence:

DRS = d, d2 d3 dA . . . d„

the generalized dragon is constructed
by the formula:

S(n) = S(l) +_dL + S(l) + S(2) +
d2 + S(2) + . . . + S(n-l)
+ d„ + S(n-l)

Figures 8 and 9 are dragon curves
generated using the randomly
selected direction-reversal sequences
printed beneath each. These gener-
alized dragon curves piqued my
curiosity enough that I wrote a
BASIC program to generate and draw

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

459

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460 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

' It would take years

at work to master the

techniques we learn at

the Wang Institute

in three semesters."

The Wang Institute is an indepen-
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BYTE December 1983 461

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Figure 8: A nonclassical order-12 dragon, using the arbitrary sequence LRRRRLRRLR en-
titled "Four-Alarm Fire."

peatedly adding the x and y offsets
found in the direction table to the
current value of the x,y pointer and
plotting the dot at the new location.
The program doesn't actually draw a
curve at each fold. Instead, a corner
of the fold is simply chopped off by
moving simultaneously in both the
old and new directions.

To prevent the dragon from mov-
ing off the page, the program will
automatically center the design
before drawing it. This is done by
making a "dry run" through the de-
sign, accumulating the high and low
values of the x and y coordinates gen-
erated. When the dragon won't fit
horizontally, it is rotated by initializ-
ing the starting direction differently
and recalculating the starting x and
y. This centering function is device
dependent in that the page size
(length and width) are those values
used by the Diskplot plotter
emulator.

TRS-80 Model I video resolution is
only fine enough to display dragon
curves of order 5 and below. After ex-
perimenting with the algorithm for a
while, I began craving the 5000 +
dots-per-square-inch resolution avail-
able on my Paper Tiger printer.

them. The program that builds the
dragon sequence is relatively simple.

Computer Dragons

Listing 1 generates the dragon se-
quence and then interprets it as
movement of an x,y pointer. The
coordinate pairs generated may be
used to draw on a video screen or
move a pen around a plotter surface.
I used this program in conjunction
with the Diskplot routines (listing 2,
described later) to produce the ex-
amples included with this article.
Only a few minor modifications are
needed to have the output sent to the
TRS-80 Color Computer screen or
another high-resolution device.

First the program asks for the order
of the dragon to be drawn. You are
then asked to input the direction-
reversal sequence— the string of Ls
and Rs mentioned earlier. Answering
<G> generates random dragons
such as those in figures 8 and 9.

Answering < ENTER > or <L> or
<R> will generate a classical dragon
curve. The SCALE? prompt deter-
mines the length of the line segments
between the folds.

The dragon sequence is held in an
integer array as a series of positive
and negative ls. Once this series has
been generated, the program adds
each successive value to a direction
pointer that references a table hold-
ing the x,y offsets needed to move the
"pen" in the desired direction. Figure
10 shows how this is accomplished.
When the current direction is 1
(north) and the fold is to the left
(counterclockwise), the direction
pointer is adjusted to point to the
west, the number-4 direction. Add-
ing - 1 to the current direction in this
case will yield an underflow value of
0. Whenever underflow or overflow
is indicated, the algorithm cycles the
pointer to the correct value.

The line segments are drawn by re-

Tiger Graphics

The IDS Paper Tiger graphics op-
tion gives the user complete control
over the placement of dots on a
printed page. High-resolution graph-
ics patterns are displayed by selec-
tively energizing the print-needle
pins as the print head moves across
the page.

The printer enters graphics mode
the first time it receives the ASCII
(American National Standard Code
for Information Interchange) control
character ETX (hexadecimal 03).
Thereafter it interprets characters as
binary-dot patterns. The bits of the
printed byte indicate the fire/ 'don't fire
decision for each of the seven pins of
the print head. Bits 0-6, set in the out-
put byte, energize the pins from top
to bottom, respectively. Thus, a
CHR$(127) is printed as a vertical line
of seven dots. To print the top and
fourth dots, for example, send
CHR$(9)-setting bits 0 and 3.

To change modes or print a carriage

462 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Figure 9: Nonclassical order-12 dragon (RRLLRRRRRRRL) entitled "Squadron Formation."

return, the ETX code is used as an
escape character. Once you enter the
graphics mode, you must send a se-
quence of two codes for control ac-
tions. The first tells the printer to in-
terpret the second as a control action.
CHR$(3); CHR$(11), for example,
forces a vertical tab (graphics linefeed
and carriage return). The sequence
CHR$(3); CHR$(2) exits graphics
mode, forcing resumption of normal
mode. To print the graphics character
3— firing the top and second pins-
print the ETX twice: CHR$(3);
. CHR$(3).

While all seven dots may be
printed, the vertical tab used in con-

tinuous scanning will move the print
head down only six dots— resulting
in the seventh dot being overwritten
on the next pass. For all practical pur-
poses, then, only six dots (ASCII
characters 0 through 63) can be
printed per line. Also, bit 7 is ignored
by the printer in any mode.

Interfacing the Paper Tiger with a
TRS-80 can be a trifle confusing. Cer-
tain codes that have had LPRINT per-
formed on them while in graphics
mode produce bizarre results. The
problem lies in Radio Shack's
LPRINT driver. The Level 2 BASIC
firmware filters out some codes; it
simply will not print them. Other

NORTH
1
RIGHT 1 + )-^

WEST 4

LEFT (-) y

3
SOUTH

| 2 EAST

DIRECTIONS

X-OFFSET

Y-OFFSET

NORTH

EAST

SOUTH

0

+ 1

0

-1

0

+ 1

WEST

-1

0

Figure ID: The "pen" is moved by adding off-
sets to an x,y pointer. The directions pointer
is cycled according to the L,R sequence of the
dragon.

characters are interpreted unde-
sirably. The graphics data byte
CHR$(12), for example, is printed as
a series of CHR$(13) carriage returns,
a "soft" formfeed. Any graphics
LPRINT string that contains a
CHR$(12) will print a series of char-
acters with the first, third, and fourth
bits set — not quite what you had in
mind.

My solution to this problem is to
perform an OR on a value of 128 (80
hexadecimal) to each byte sent to the
printer. This setting of bit 7 does not
alter the way the graphics codes are
printed and the LPRINT driver won't
intercept or change such characters.
Another method of solving this prob-
lem is to write your own printer
driver.

My Paper Tiger, Model 440-G, lacks
some of the options of the newer
models: printing is unidirectional
and there is no proportional spacing.
The graphics feature, however, is
compatible with all models that have
graphics capabilities. Only three of
the dot-spacing fonts (8.3, 10, and 12
characters per inch in normal mode)
may be used for graphics output. The
manual suggests that the 16.5-cpi
font be avoided due to excessive
print-head heat buildup. Also, graph-
ics characters sent in this character
density tend to not line up evenly.

The 12-characters-per-inch (cpi)

464 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

HowtheTtSS-IImakes
short worikof long problems*

Whenever you can solve
complex problems quickly and
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game. And that's exactly what
the TI-55-II does for you. By
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With our TI-55-II you can
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only getting the standard slide
rule functions but also statistical

Copyright © 1983 Texas Instruments

capabilities. This way you can
work out linear regressions, per-
mutations and combinations, just
to name a few.

The TI-55-II also gives you
enough programmability to
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So next time you're facing
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problem, cut it down to Pj «
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Instruments

Creating useful products
and services for you.

mode yields the best horizontal-to-
vertical dot-spacing ratio. In this
mode, 496 bytes can be printed across
the page. A box 496 by 496 covers an
area 7.7 inches wide by 6.9 inches
high. The printer can print 120 lines
on an 8V2-by-ll sheet of paper. With
a V2-inch border on each side, the ef-
fective resolution is 496 by 720.

A Plotter Emulator

Many printer manufacturers de-
scribe their product as having
"graphics capability," but getting
recognizable graphics from a dot-
matrix printer is tricky. Programs
written for generating video or plot-
ter graphics invariably employ a two-
dimensional coordinate system. That
is, given a horizontal x ordinate and
a vertical y ordinate, a video program
will perform a SET on that position,
making it visible. A plotter will per-
form a MOVE on a pen to the given
coordinate from its last position,
drawing a line as it goes. Neither ac-
tion corresponds to what goes on in
dot-matrix printing.

The graphics potential of your dot-
matrix printer can be realized when
a control program is used to emulate
the actions of a plotter. Because the
printer can't physically move the
paper up and down under the print
head, this action must be simulated
by a program that writes to memory.

A simple version of such a program
would create a two-dimensional in-

teger array, set each element to 0,
then move an x,y "pointer" around
the matrix setting the indicated
elements to 1 as it goes. After this
"plotting" is finished, a separate rou-
tine is needed to examine the array
six lines at a time, to build the char-
acters expected by the printer.

While this method may be the eas-
iest to work with, it is enormously
wasteful in terms of memory— an in-
teger array of only 125 by 125 would
occupy all of the approximately 32K
bytes of available memory. And the
print routine would be laborious. A
more sophisticated program, one
using all 16 bits of each array element,
could store 256K dots (an array of,
say, 500 by 500) again at the expense
of processing time for both the plot-
ting and printing routines. Also,
when most of the computer's mem-
ory is preempted by a printer array,
the application program may be hard
pressed for its own storage needs.

The Paper Tiger can place over
350K dots on a page. I needed almost
every one of these points to print the
order-12 dragon seen in figure 1. To
be able to access every potential dot
on the page, I wrote Diskplot, a set
of multipurpose plotting and printing
routines that use disk storage interac-
tively with memory— a virtual-mem-
ory plotting system.

The idea of virtual memory has
been around about as long as disk
drives have been interfaced with

computers. The concept is simple.
While memory tends to be severely
limited, there may be plenty of stor-
age available on disk. A virtual-mem-
ory management system allocates to
the user a block of RAM (random-
access read/write memory) and a
larger block of disk memory. When
the user's program or data won't all
fit into the RAM area, it is broken into
segments or "pages." The page cur-
rently being accessed by the com-
puter processor unit is held in RAM.
When a different page is needed, the
system saves the old page (invisibly
to the user) and brings in the new
one from the disk. The user may ac-
cess memory as if the entire block
was always in memory.

A virtual-memory operating sys-
tem requires a translating or "map-
ping" algorithm to keep track of
which page is in memory and to ad-
just the virtual addresses to reflect
the actual RAM addresses. When
only one page is in memory, this al-
gorithm can be simple. However, the
system becomes more complex (and
more useful) when several pages are
held in memory at the same time. In
this case, the mapping algorithm
should also have some sort of plan-
ahead feature to anticipate which
pages the user will need in future
addressing.

The efficiency of the system is
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time spent accessing the disk. The

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OTHER COMPLETE SYSTEMS

S15R (remote) $695
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S15B (bipolar) $895
S15G (gang) $1095

466 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 55 on inquiry card.

Computer's
Choice.

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Sooner or later, you'll probably want to use your
business computer for word processing or data
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first choice would be Primage I.

That's because when all the facts are entered, it's
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Primage I features simplified controls, easy paper
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When you compare Primage I with top quality
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Primages Inc., 620 Johnson Ave.,
Bohemia, NY 11716 (516) 567-8200.

PRIMAGES
INC.

BYTE December 1983 4<J7

BEFORE PAGING
[I RECORD 1

Hi

Li'1

RECORD

| 191
| 106

l_-

RECORD I7I

I

RECORD 18 1

I

RECORD 19l
I

RAM
WINDOW <

BUFFER 2

BUFFER 3

BUFFER 5

V

21 1

._J
22 1

._J
23 I

._J -

r-

RECORD 25l

20

AFTER PAGING

RECORD Tl

1

RECORD 2|

RECORD 17

1

RECORD 18 1

RECORD 19

RECORD 20

COPIED

I

h-
I
I—

RECORD 26

RECORD 27

POINT TO-
-PLOT

READ
FROM
DISK

RECORD 28l

RECORD 2TI

I

RECORD 22 1

■A

BUFFER 2

SUFFER 3

BUFFER 4

BUFFER 5

=1
=1

_ I
27~l

RECORD 29|

I

f—

I

l_.

J

RECORD 28 1
I

RECORD 29

1 DISK

[SECTOR 1

DISK
SECTOR 2 I

GRAPHICS
BITS 0-5 —

BIT 6

UNUSED -

-1 BYTE

255
BYTES

242
BYTES

-BIT 7 ALWAYS ■ 1

Figure 11: The virtual-memory mapping algorithm used in Diskplot. Records are moved in
and out of RAM buffers. When the "pen" is directed off the page (point to plot in record 25,
at left), part of a new page is scrolled into memory.

number of disk accesses may be
limited by reading and writing a large
number of pages, while the amount
of time per access can be shortened
by using a small number of pages.
An optimum virtual-memory size
will lie somewhere between all of
main memory and a single disk
buffer.

Radio Shack's (Microsoft) Disk
BASIC includes all the tools neces-
sary to implement these concepts on
the TRS-80. Instead of packing bits
into an integer array for later interpre-
tation, I chose to build a random-
access file to store the data on disk
and use BASIC strings to hold the
in-memory data. Standard GET and
PUT commands scroll data in and out
of memory, and no special VARPTR
or POKE tricks are needed.

All data is stored as characters for-
matted for direct output to the
printer. This method has both advan-
tages and limitations. The main ad-
vantage is the speed of the printout.
The disk sectors hold data that may
be directly (with one exception) out-
put to the printer. The printout rou-
tine is simple— read and perform an
LPRINT on two sectors per output
line. A pageful of graphics is output
without waiting for BASIC to do a
time-consuming conversion. The
only exception occurs when an ETX
data byte is encountered in the file.
That byte must be printed twice.
Typically the print head never halts
its motion across the page. The
graphics examples included with this
article were each printed in less than
two minutes.

As with many computer programs,
the speed advantage is gained only
at the expense of storage efficiency.
Preformatting the data for printer
output is inefficient in at least two
ways. First, only 6 bits of any byte are
seen by the printer, so 25 percent of
each byte goes unused. Second, to
stay compatible with TRSDOS, disk
buffers must have an LRL (logical
record length) of 255 bytes. (Theoret-
ically, all 256 bytes are usable, but
because the records are manipulated
as strings and BASIC strings are only
255 characters long, the task becomes
easier when the 256th byte is ig-
nored.) Because a horizontal print
line is 496 bytes wide, I use two
255-byte buffers for each. This means
that 14 bytes at the end of the second
disk buffer remain empty— another 3
percent loss of storage efficiency. If
you use the NEWDOS80 or LDOS
variable-length records, you can
eliminate some of the waste.

Mapping Memory

Figure 11 illustrates the virtual-
memory mapping algorithm I de-
vised for Diskplot. Two random-
access disk sectors contain the data
for one printed line— six vertical (y)
rows of 496 horizontal (x) columns.
This 510-byte area is a buffer when it
is in memory. The same two sectors
are a record when they are on disk.
For maximum flexibility, Diskplot
allows a variable number of buffers.

The buffers are a "window" to the
records stored on disk. This window
is moved up and down within the
file, according to the current position
of the x,y pointer— the simulated
plotter "pen."

The strategy for paging records in
and out of the buffer area is as fol-
lows. Before any dot is plotted, the
y ordinate is compared to the mini-
mum and maximum y rows current-
ly being held in buffers (the x
ordinate need not be tested as all col-
umns for a given y will be in mem-
ory). At some point the pen will be
directed to move off the page-
beyond the edge of the current view-
ing window. To accommodate the
roving pen, the window is scrolled to
a new position in the file, a position
that places the pen at the center of

468 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

It's Simple.

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Circle 287 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

469

the new page.

In figure 11, the user has chosen to
use five buffers. The paging example
begins with buffers 1 to 5 holding
records 20 to 24. The calling program
has directed the pen to write to
record 25, which is not currently in
memory. The window is moved
down by first saving buffers 1, 2, and
3 to disk records 20, 21, and 22—
scrolling these records out of the
window. Then buffers 4 and 5 are
copied to buffers 1 and 2. This action
is the same as moving the higher
numbered records to the lower num-
bered buffers; i.e., records 23 and 24
are placed into buffers 1 and 2. Final-
ly, new records 25, 26, and 27 are read
into buffers 3, 4, and 5— scrolling
them into the window.

The top of the new page has been
formed from the lower part of the old
page. The bottom of the new page
holds the data read from disk. The
pen is then pointed to record 25 held
in buffer 3, the center of the new

page-
When widely separated y ordinates
are sent consecutively to the subrou-

tine and there is no page overlap, all
the buffers are saved, and new
records are read into them.

In this manner, every disk access is
to contiguous records, minimizing
disk I/O (input/output) time. Further-
more, after paging, the pen is left
pointing to the center of the window;
its meandering course is likely to re-
main on the page for a maximum
length of time.

This strategy is ideal for drawing
dragon curves and other designs that
seldom lift the pen from the paper.
It becomes less efficient when the
plotting program lifts the pen often
to move to widely separated points.
Knowing how the records and buf-
fers are accessed will speed up the
drawing of many designs; i.e., points
along the same y-axis may have
widely separated x ordinates without
slowing the plotting. Even though
Diskplot eliminates spurious disk
writes (it doesn't resave a buffer that
hasn't been altered while in mem-
ory), erratic motion along the y-axis
is bound to increase disk I/O, slow-
ing the "plotter" considerably.

Garbage Collection

Because Diskplot uses character-
string buffers for dot storage, it
spends time manipulating strings.
Microsoft string-manipulation com-
mands are flexible and extensive, but
the BASIC garbage-collection process
is, at times, irritating. A program that
uses a lot of string space will even-
tually invoke this function, which
locks up the keyboard and halts the
running program while reorganizing
the string-storage area. String sorts
that create a TEMP$ for each ex-
change are prime examples. The gar-
bage collector is one reason such rou-
tines seem to take so long.

This problem has a little-known
solution built into Disk BASIC. The
"MID$=" assignment function is
used to replace a portion of a destina-
tion string with a portion of a source
string. MID$(DEST$,5,2) = SRC$
places the first two characters of
SRC$ into positions 5 and 6 of
DEST$. The last argument is optional
with a default of moving the entire
source string (or as much of it as will
fit) into the specified positions of the

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470 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 446 on Inquiry card.

Circle 228 on inquiry card.

Satisfaction With
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With so many so-called Mail Order establishments using "toll free" lines, and grandiose advertising, how can you, the customer,
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Circle 97 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

471

Figure 12: A 19-vertex n-gon overlayed by concentric ellipses. Drawn with Diskplot.

destination string. When DEST$ and
SRC$ are the same length, invoking
the function via

MID$(DES1$,1) = SRC$

replaces all characters of DEST$ with
the characters of SRC$.

The effect is equivalent to the as-
signment: DEST$ = SRC$, with the
exception that no new string memory
has been used. Consequently, gar-
bage-collection time is minimized.
For sorting strings of the same
length, in place of the line

T$=A$ :A$=B$ :B$=T$

use

MID$(T$,1)=A$ :MID$(A$,1) = B$
:MID$(B$,1)=T$

where T$ has already been assigned
with a length the same as A$ and B$.
The time savings is dramatic! The
virtual-memory system controlling
Diskplot uses this method for mov-
ing data from the FIELDed disk buf-
fer to the virtual-memory buffers, in
copying buffers when the window is
scrolled, and when turning on a bit
in a string buffer. Therefore, even
though much of 32K bytes of string
memory is constantly being manip-
ulated, garbage collection is never in-
volved.

Using Diskplot

Diskplot was written to be used in
a variety of plotting applications. The

subroutine package is a flexible alter-
native to expensive plotter hardware.
Many plotter and high-resolution
screen graphics programs can be
easily converted for use with this pro-
gram. Figure 12 was created by over-
laying the output from Mike Higgins'
plotter program (August 1981 BYTE,
pages 414-416) with some elliptical
circles that I devised. Only minor
changes were needed for routing the
output, via Diskplot, to my Paper
Tiger.

Screen commands like PSET are
implemented by assigning variables
x and y with the desired coordinates
and issuing a GOSUB to line 1500.
LINE (or DRAW TO) commands are
emulated with a GOSUB to 1000, pre-
ceded by assigning xl,yl and x2,y2
with the start and end points of the
line to be drawn.

Before running the application pro-
gram, the string-storage area must be
CLEARed and the initialization rou-
tine at line 3000 must be called. A
series of inputs inquires about page
length (the expected maximum y or-
dinate), the number of buffers de-
sired, and the filename for the disk-
plotter image file.

The calling program should per-
form a CLEAR on string space in pro-
portion to the expected number of
buffers. Each buffer requires 510 bytes
of string memory. The dragon-curve
generation program (listing 1)
CLEARs enough memory for a 41-
buffer window into the 120-record (48
gran) disk file. The number of buffers
desired will depend on the applica-

tion program. It is usually best to
CLEAR and buffer the maximum
amount of available memory.

The initialization routine requests
a filename for the plotter image. You
are warned if the file already exists.
If so, you may clear the file, select a
different file, or use the file as a base
for overlaying a new design. The
overlay option is especially useful for
graphing charts. You can generate a
grid file by calling the LINE routine
an appropriate number of times and
then copying it to another file. There-
after, overlay this file with new data
points, lines, or curves. Consider the
value of having, for instance, a clean
score available for a program that sets
notes onto sheet music.

The default filename is PLOT/RAF,
which I use for the short-term file.
After the design is finished, I save the
file by copying with a different file-
name. My 40-track double-density
drives can keep four files on one
disk. I leave it to you to write a
file-compression program. (Hints:
most of the file remains filled with
bytes of 80 (hexadecimal), and bytes
242 to 256 of the second sector of
every record are unused.)

The routine starting at line 1000
draws a line from point (xl,yl) to
point (x2,y2). Upon exit, xl and yl
have been adjusted to x2 and y2.
Subsequent calls need only redefine
x2 and y2 to simulate a plotter DRAW
TO command. This routine is
adapted from Mike Higgins' algo-
rithm (see reference 4). It is fast and
efficient, requiring only integer vari-
ables. This routine determines the
points between the two input coor-
dinates and calls line 1500 to set each.

Lines 1500-1590 set the individual
dot at the specified coordinates at x
and y. This routine rejects any coor-
dinates that would move the pen out-
side of the defined limits. It also
handles the paging function of the
virtual-operating system. Lines 1510
and 1520 constitute the "priming
logic." These lines are executed only
on the first call to the subroutine.
They position the buffered "window"
over the correct part of the file. When
the Overwrite option is specified dur-
ing initialization, the indicated
records are read in for modification.

472 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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other peripherals to save you
money. And here's the big Plus:
with the PAL Plus, you get a copy
of Crosstalk XVI, the premier
communications software.

Our new PAL Series Modems cost
less than similar modems. Because
Datec uses the most advanced
integrated circuits, we can build
more reliable modems with fewer
parts and pass the savings along
to you.

Get more modem for less money.
New Datec PAL Modems.\bur
Best Connection.

Special Note.

Datec designs special-purpose
datacomm devices for unique
industrial applications. Send us
your problems, we'll send you
the answers.

Datec, Datec PAL, and Your Best Connection are
registered trademarks of Datec, Incorporated. IBM
is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation. COMPAQ is a registered
trademark of COMPAQ Computer Corporation.
Crosstalk XVI is a registered trademark of
Microstuf, Inc.

Datec, Incorporated

200 Eastowne Drive, Suite 116

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

919-929-2135

See us at Booth No. 630, COMDEX Fall '83, Las Vegas Convention Center.

Circle 136 on Inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 473

SKM

Remotelntelligence
takes your computer from the screen

out to the scene.

Who can blame you if you've
only been using your computer as
an efficient filing system. Up to
now, getting it to physically do
things for you, like regulate
equipment or even just open the
garage door, has been complex,
troublesome and expensive.

Rydex has the intelligent solution!

The Rydex IC (Intelligent Con-
troller) series transforms your PC
into a powerful monitor and
control tool, with capabilities
ranging from relay activation to
temperature monitoring, motor
control and security/alarm system
regulation. Control can be through

digital or analog channels, con-
nected directly or by modem, with
hundreds of IC units to a single

For more information on how Rydex ICs can
put YOUR computer to work, call or fill in and
mail coupon below to:

Rydex Industries Corporation, 200/4040 No. 3
Road, Richmond, B.C. V6X 2C2 (604) 278-6772.

NAME

COMPANY NAME

RS 232 serial port. Modular design
means you can expand easily to
virtually limitless remote control
capacity.

Rydex ICs require no special
computer knowledge or special
software to use. All commands are
accessible through Basic. IC sys-
tems are not difficult to install.
Complete instructions come with
the unit. Or if you have an espe-
cially complex application, our tech
nical staff will be glad to assist.

And here's the final word on
Rydex ICs. Affordability. Most
systems can be installed for less
than $1,000.

Circle 370 on Inquiry card.

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476 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Professional

Software

for the

Software

Professional

DMA products operate on

the full range of

Z80, 8086, 8088 processors.

including the IBM-PC

Here's what you can do!

Application Creation

FORMULA II™

The Application Creator

The first and only Application Creator — a do-it-your-
self concept for office automation. FORMULA II lets you
define your files, forms, menus, and reports — FORMULA
II then creates your program. FORMULA II includes a
Database manager with an English Query language and
a Form/Report Creator with word processing features.

Communications

ASCOM™

ASCOM™ is the most versatile asynchronous com-
munication package for microcomputers on the market. It
features interactive, menu-driven, and batch operations;
supports auto-answer and auto-dial modems; includes
most popular protocols; provides network simulation;
and many other options. Xerox Corporation, NCR, Mon-
roe Systems for Business, and the big 8 accounting firms
use ASCOMtm.

SYNC^QOM™_— A bisynchronous communication
package that will oe configurable for a variety of systems
and includes a flexible interface to the operating system.
2780/3780/3270 protocols available on microcomputers
with appropriate hardware.

TERMCOM™— A configurable terminal emulator
allowing any personal computer to emulate most conversa-
tional and selected block mode terminals with asynchron-
ous communications. Available December 1983.

Utilities

EM80/86™

This software emulator lets you use eight bit software
on sixteen bit microcomputers without hardware modifi-
cations.

The 8086 O.S. Converter™

CP to MS — Permits execution of Digital Research's
CP/M-86 programs under Microsoft's MSDOS (or
PCDOS).

MS to CP — Permits execution of MSDOS programs
under CP/M-86.
UT-86™

This package of user-friendly utilities for the IBM Per-
sonal Computer and similar systems includes copying,
directory sorting, patching, and a general purpose file
print utility.

Coming Soon

DMA."C"™ — A "C" language compiler which will gen-
erate either Z80 or 8086 assembly language code. Due
to a unique optimization routine which is based upon a
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mm WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE

DYNAMIC MICROPROCESSOR ASSOCIATES, INC.)
545 FIFTH AVENUE, NY, NY 10017
Dealer Inquiries only • (212) 687-7115

Circle 155 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 477

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PCt$

priming flag

10310

'**

PR*

FIELBed sir in

10320

'**

PU*

PRINT USING i

10330

'**

10340

'**

LI

Distance of 1

10350

'**

L2

Distance of s

10360

'**

L3»4»5f6

horizontal an

10370

'**

L7

duty master (

10380

'**

L8

temporary val

10390

'**

**

**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**

e strings (255 char, length)

blanks ( CHR*( 128) )
pe CHR«(131)

for plotter image
(="0" for Overlay option)
g (funnels all disk data)
mage for plotting data

ong-a>:is

hort-a>;is

d verticsl steps (l»-l»or 0)

for determining ratio)

ue» long-axis counter

If, upon entry, the specified x or-
dinate is out of range of the window
buffers, line 1540 calls the subroutine
for the required action, i.e., moving
the window up or down with overlap
or placing the window at an entirely
different part of the file.

Line 1570 makes the actual modifi-
cation to the indicated buffer, turn-
ing on the dot at the x,y coordinate.
The correct buffer is selected, then an
OR is performed on the current value
of the xth byte of the buffer with a
value that will fire the correct print-
head pin upon output. Then, using
the "MID$ = " assignment function,
this combined value is placed back
into the buffer. A flag is then set, in-
dicating that the selected buffer has
been altered.

Just as the initialization routine
must be called before any plotting
takes place, the CLOSE routine at
line 4000 must be called when the de-
sign is finished. All the altered buf-
fers at the ending window position
are flushed out to the disk, and the
file is properly closed.

Lines 5000 to 5240 constitute a
stand-alone routine for printing a
graphics file. An input prompts for
a filename, indicating a default string
of the last-used filename. The printer
is set to 12 cpi (characters-per-inch)
in graphics mode and the 2K-byte
buffer is emptied. Then the file is
read and two disk sectors are printed
per physical printer line. The routine
at 5200 does a scan of the print line
to check for an ETX control character
embedded in the file. When none ex-
ists, the entire line is printed un-
changed. Otherwise the string is

printed up to the ETX, an ETX is
printed twice, and the line is scanned
again until the entire string has been
output.

The top three lines of the video are
reserved for Diskplot data display.
The system keeps you informed of
what's happening at all times. Every
call to Diskplot prints the current x
and y, the currently accessed buffer
and record, and the bit being set in
the current byte. Every time the disk
is accessed, the buffer and record
numbers are displayed. While dis-
playing this data slows execution, it
is a handy debugging device and lets
you know that everything is running
smoothly.

The final lines of listing 2 document
the variables used by the Diskplot
program. Notice that each variable in
the dot-plotting routine begins with
the letter P. All variables in the line-
drawing routine begin with L. This
makes it easier to interface the rou-
tines with a variety of application
programs. Loops are indented and
remarks indicate the logical subrou-
tines and their functions.

The program may be speeded up
by eliminating spaces and remarks
and combining lines where feasible.
You might also consider placing the
often-called routines early in the pro-
gram. All the variables are defined as
integers and those most often used
have been defined early to shorten
the amount of time BASIC needs to
look them up. Most of the duration
of each call to Diskplot is in the
calculations to determine the buffer
number and the position within the
buffer to be altered. So even though

the routines are disk-intensive, speci-
fying a large number of buffers usual-
ly ensures that the program is not
"I/O bound."

When no paging action is required,
each dot takes about 0.24 seconds to
plot. The duration of each call can be
lowered to about 0.17 seconds by
removing the PRINT USING com-
mand at line 1580. The order-12 exam-
ple dragons each call the SET routine
over 25,000 times. These designs take
about 90 minutes for the plotting and
printing phases. Because Diskplot
uses standard BASIC commands, the
routines could be compiled for a sub-
stantial time savings.

Summary

Just as the classical dragon curve is
a special case of the generalized
dragon curve, the generalized dragon
curve might be considered the two-
dimensional aspect of an even
broader class of three-dimensional
curves. Some interesting possibilities
present themselves when the folds of
the curve are at angles of other than
90 degrees.

The virtual-memory algorithms I've
described work well with the dragon-
curve program, but they can be inef-
ficient in other applications. The line-
drawing module could be improved
by doing some preliminary paging,
preparing the window in advance.

The Diskplot package has become
a valuable addition to my subroutine
library. The dragon curves that could
only be drawn with this package
make an impressive display. ■

References

1. Dameron, David. "Some Example Plots,"
February 1980 BYTE, page 140.

2. Davis, Chandler and Donald E. Knuth.
"Number Representations and Dragon
Curves," Journal of Recreational Mathe-
matics, April 1970, page 66 and July 1970,
page 133.

3. Gardner, Martin. "Mathematical Games,"
Scientific American, March 1967, page 124
and April 1967, page 118.

4. Higgins, Mike. "Fast Line-Drawing Technique,"
August 1981 BYTE, page 414.

Dan Rollins (134 Olive St., Glendale, CA 91206)
is a freelance programmer and technical writer. He
is currently writing a book entitled IBM-PC 8088
Macro Assembler Programming, soon to be pub-
lished by Macmillan.

478 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983

479

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A Computer-Algebra-Based
Calculating System

By performing automatic unit conversion, this super-calculator
saves time and effort and prevents common errors

Quick! What's the volume of the
Earth in teaspoons? If you said
2.1931217 x 1026 teaspoons, you're
right (assuming Earth is a sphere
with a 3956-mile radius).

It's more likely, though, that you
couldn't conveniently calculate that
figure even with a microcomputer or
calculator. Indeed, you would prob-
ably find any practical calculations in-
volving extensive conversions of
units similarly tedious.

To perform such calculations as
those involved in determining the
volume of the Earth in teaspoons, I
use a system that employs a micro-
computer and is based on the
muSIMP/ muMATH package (from
The Soft Warehouse). I call my con-
figuration a super-calculator because
it performs standard calculator func-
tions (addition, subtraction, multipli-
cation, division, and so on) and also
carries units along algebraically in the
calculation and expresses results in
whatever units I want. I can pose a
problem for the calculator giving at
once all relevant information, in-
cluding measured data values, the
units in which the measurements are
taken, the form of the mathematical
expression to be used in the calcula-
tion, and the units in which the
result is to be expressed. The system

by Stuart Edwards

then takes care of all details, includ-
ing applying appropriate conversion
factors and, more important, check-
ing algebraically that the required
units make sense in terms of the for-
mula used and the units in which the
quantities are entered.

The text box on page 484 shows in-
put statements and answers for three
sample problems.

How the Super-Calculator Works

Any computer algebra system, in-
cluding the one I use, can work with
undefined terms; that is, addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division,
and even exponentiation can be per-
formed using variables that have no
assigned numerical values. Consider,
for example, the following super-cal-
culator input and output statements:

? 3 (X + 2 X * 2) Y;

@:3XY + 6X*2Y

The ? in the first line is a prompt.
The rest of the line is the question
"What is 3(X + 2X2)Y?," terminated by
a semicolon. The second line con-
tains the result (3XY + 6X2Y) deter-
mined by the system after applying
the normal rules of algebra (in this
case, distribution of the 3 and the Y
over the sum within the paren-

theses); the @: combination signifies
"the answer is."

Together, the two lines (one input
and one output) constitute what I call
a transaction— an element of interac-
tion with the computer. This interac-
tion consists of posing an algebraic
problem and receiving the evaluated
result. The time required for the sys-
tem to respond depends on the com-
plexity of the problem posed and on
the speed of the computer. For sim-
ple transactions such as most of the
ones presented in this article, a 3- or
4-second response for a Z80 running
at 4 MHz is typical.

After completion of a transaction,
the @ may be used to represent that
transaction's result in a subsequent
transaction. Thus, after completion of
the above transaction, the next trans-
action might appear as follows:

? @ / X;

@: 3 Y + 6 X Y

Here, @ / X means "the previous
result divided by X"; @ represents
the result of the last transaction, the
X factor is divided into each term,
and the new answer (or new @) is
3Y + 6XY.

Although it is not necessary to
assign numerical values to variables,

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

481

such assignments can certainly be
made, as the next four lines (two
transactions) illustrate:

? X: 3;
@: 3

? 5 X" 2;
@: 45

The first transaction assigns the
value 3 to X, and the second trans-
action shows the result of a numerical
calculation with this new value sub-
stituted for X.

We may also assign non-numeric
"values" to variables; values may be
other undefined variables or even ex-
pressions involving undefined vari-
ables:

? X: THIS EXPRESSION;
@: THIS EXPRESSION

? (5 X) * 2;
@: 25 THIS '

2 EXPRESSION * 2

Here, the first transaction assigns
the expression THIS EXPRESSION
to X. (This expression must be read
as THIS times EXPRESSION, be-
cause whenever two factors appear
side by side with no intervening
operator, multiplication is assumed,
as in standard algebra.) The second
transaction shows how the new value
of X is substituted into an expression,
followed by the distribution of the ex-
ponent 2 over the individual factors
5, THIS, and EXPRESSION. Because
5 is a number, 5 * 2 may be im-
mediately evaluated as 25; the other
factors, being undefined, cannot be
squared and thus are left as THIS * 2
and EXPRESSION' 2.

This capability to assign to vari-
ables values that are expressions in
terms of other variables is the key to
the super-calculator. In my super-cal-
culator configuration, for example, I
allow the variable "second" to be an
undefined unit of time, but a "min-
ute" is defined in terms of the "sec-
ond," as:

? minute: 60 second;
@: 60 second

An "hour" may be defined in terms
of the second:

? hour: 3600 second;
@: 3600 second

or, because we have already defined
minute:

? hour: 60 minute;
@: 3600 second

The system has substituted the
value of minute into the expression.
The value of hour is now 3600 se-
cond, not 60 minute: when I make an
assignment, it is the evaluated result
("3600 second") that is assigned, not
the "raw" input expression ("60
minute").

Now when I use the word "min-
ute" in my calculations, it is inter-
preted as "60 second," and "hour" is
interpreted as "3600 second." Here
are some other units of time:

? day: 24 hour;
@: 86400 second

? week: 7 day;
@: 604800 second

? year: 365.2422 day;

@: 3.1556926 10 " 7 second

? decade: 10 year;

@: 3.1556926 10 " 8 second

? century: 100 year;

@: 3.1556926 10*9 second

In each case, the assigned value is
the evaluated result in seconds,
which is now my default standard
unit of time. (Note that the numerical
part of each answer, if it is very large,
is expressed in scientific notation;
this is what a regular scientific
calculator would do. The same is true
in the case of very small numbers.)

Similar considerations apply to
units of length. I choose a standard
unit in terms of which all lengths are
defined, leaving this default standard
unit as an undefined variable. If the
standard is the meter, I enter the
units of length as follows:

? centimeter: 1/100 meter;
@: 0.01 meter

? millimeter: 1/1000 meter;
@: 0.001 meter

? micrometer: 10 * -6 meter;
@: 10* -6 meter

? nanometer: 10 "
@: 10* -9 meter

9 merer;

? kilometer: 1000 meter;
@: 1000 meter

? inch: 2.54 centimeter;
@: 0.0254 meter

? foot: 12 inch;
@: 0.3048 meter

? yard: 3 foot;
@: 0.9144 meter

? mile: 5280 foot;
@: 1609.344 meter

Areas are handled as squared units
of length because the usual rules of
algebra apply. That is, when I multi-
ply two lengths, I expect the result to
be an area:

? (5 foot) (3 meter);
@: 4.572 meter * 2

To be consistent with the units of
length, I use the square meter as my
standard default unit of area. I also
add a few more areas:

? are: 100 meter * 2;
@: 100 meter* 2;

? hectare: 100 are;
@: 10000 meter" 2

? acre: 1/640 mile "2;

@: 4046.8564224 meter * 2

Similarly, volumes are by default
expressed in cubic meters. Some
extra units of volume are:

? USgallon: 3785.32 centimeter "3;
@: 0.0037853 meter* 3

? IMPgallon: 4545.96 centimeter * 3;
@: 0.0045459 meter* 3

? quart: 1/4 USgallon;

@: 9.4633 10* -4 meter* 3

? pint: 1/2 quart;

@: 4.73165 10 * -4 meter * 3

? cup: 1/2 pint;

@: 2.365825 10 ' -4 meter" 3

? fluidounce: 1/2 cup;

@: 2.9572812 10 * -5 meter* 3

? tablespoon: 1/2 fluidounce;
@: 1.4786406 10 * -5 meter* 3

? teaspoon: 1/3 tablespoon;
@: 4.9288020 10 " -6 meter * 3

482 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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The Super-Calculator in Action

The following sample problems and solutions illustrate operation of the super-
calculator system.

Assuming the Earth is a sphere with a radius of 3956 miles, what is its volume in
teaspoons?

Solution:

? 4 pi / 3 (3956 mile) " 3 in teaspoon;
@: 2.1931217 10 *26 teaspoon

If you purchase 5 liters of gasoline and use it to drive 53 kilometers, what is your mileage
in miles per gallon?

Solution:

? 53 kilometer / (5 liter) in mile / gallon;
@: 24.9321412 mile / gallon

According to Einstein's mass-energy relation, E=mc1. What energy is released, in kilowatt
years, by the complete conversion of 1 kilogram of mass?

Solution:

? 1 kg c * 2 in kilo watt year;

@: 2848035.4213258 kilo watt year

Derived Units

By now I have an array of units and
derived units that is quite extensive.
By "derived units" I mean things like
units of velocity (such as inches per
second or kilometers per hour) or
units of acceleration (such as feet per
second squared). For instance, con-
sider the number of ways to enter
velocities. A velocity is nothing more
than a distance divided by a time in-
terval; because I have introduced 9
units of length and 8 units of time,
there are 9 x 8, or 72, derived units of
velocity at my disposal. These in-
clude ordinary things like miles per
hour:

? 55 mile / hour;

@: 24.5872 meter / second

and exotic things like yards per week:

? 1001 yard / week;

@: 0.0015134 meter / second

Any expression with a unit of
length in the numerator and a unit
of time in the denominator is an ac-
ceptable velocity and is converted
automatically to meters per second.

I avoid plural forms such as "miles"
or "seconds." Using only singular
forms, I can enter new units without
having to enter their plural forms.
This method is a personal preference;
other users may be happier defining
all possible forms of a unit (i.e.,
pound, pounds, lb, lbs) so the terms
can be used interchangeably.

Each time I add a new unit of
length or time, my inventory of de-
rived units expands; the size of the
expansion depends on how many
other units are already assigned. To
get a sense of how far this concept
can be taken, consider that I have
available in my system 9 units of time
(from seconds to centuries) and 17
units of length (from angstroms to
parsecs); thus, there are 9 x 17, or 153,
ways of entering velocities. And there
is nothing to prevent the addition of
even more units of time or length.

Many derived units are formed by
combining lengths and times, as in
the case of units of acceleration.
Again, any valid expression with one
length unit in the numerator and the
product of two time units in the
denominator is a valid acceleration.
This is the salient feature of the

super-calculator: as long as the units
make sense in terms of the quantity
being entered, the expression is ac-
cepted and automatically converted
to standard units.

Unit Prefixes

To add to the repertoire of times
and distances, I introduced prefixes.
I had initially intended to put in such
things as microseconds, nanometers,
and kilometers, but that would have
been cumbersome. I decided instead
to make the prefixes separate quan-
tities to which I assigned appropriate
numerical values (1000 for "kilo,"
1/1000000 for "micro," and so on.
Now, to express a time in microsec-
onds, I have:

? 1.23 micro second;
@: 1.23 10 '-6 second

The prefix "micro" has been split
from the root "second," and the im-
plicit multiplication takes care of the
conversion. The advantage of this
method is that the prefixes are now
available for all units in the system;
I can work in nanoyards ("nano
yard"), megaweeks ("mega week"), or
any other such units. All 14 standard
unit prefixes, from atto (10~'s) to tera
(1012), are entered, which yields a
variety of length and time units and
derived units for velocities or
accelerations.

The "in" Operator

After defining all these units, I can
enter expressions in whatever units
are appropriate for the problem at
hand. The manner in which the units
are defined assures that times are
converted to seconds, distances to
meters, areas to square meters,
volumes to cubic meters, and so
forth. This is fine if I am content to
have all results displayed in these
units and want to perform complex
calculations in a standard set of units
such as the S.I. system or the
centimeter-gram-second system.

Requiring such a standard puts us
in a straitjacket— in the real world,
not everything is standardized, and
a calculator, to be useful, should be
capable of expressing its results in the
units I want.

484 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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The "in" operator was created for
flexibility. The "in" operator is an in-
fix operator: a function named "in"
receives one argument each on the
left and on the right, much as do the
arithmetic operators +, -, /. The
argument on the left is the expression
to be evaluated, and the one on the
right is the set of units in which the
result is to be expressed:

? 55 mile / hour in foot / second;
@: 80.6666666 foot / second

The "operator precedence" of "in" is
lower than that of the arithmetic
operators; in the example, "55 mile /
hour" is the left argument, "foot /
second" is the right argument.

The "in" operator does four things:

1. It evaluates the expression on the
left, getting a result in standard
units. "55 mile / hour" becomes
"24.5872 meter / second" because
meter and second are my standard
units of length and time. This
result is not displayed but is held
internally in a temporary work
area.

2. It evaluates the expression on the
right, the required set of units,
again obtaining its standard equiv-
alent, "foot / second" becomes
"0.3048 meter / second."

3. It algebraically divides the result
from step 1 by the result from step
2. The common factors, meter and
second, cancel out of the numer-
ator and the denominator, leaving
the dimensionless quantity
80.6666666 (i.e., 24.5872 / 0.3048).

4. It constructs a new expression con-
sisting of the numeric result from
step 3 multiplied by the uneval-
uated right argument, which gives
"80.6666666 foot / second," the
displayed result.

The definition of "in" is very
general, enabling the use of complex
expressions on the left and the right;
physical constants can be used as
units, as when I use "g":

? g: 32.174 foot / second * 2;
@: 9.8066352 meter / second ~2

to represent the standard acceleration
due to gravity, as in the following
transaction, which I'll call A:

? g 1/2 (5.32 second) * 2 in yard;
@: 151.7669029 yard

or as a unit of acceleration in the
transaction that I'll call B:

? 60 mile / hour / (7 second) in g;
@: 0.3907325 g

In transaction A, I use g as a
physical constant to compute the
distance in yards an object would fall
in 5.32 seconds (ignoring air resis-
tance). In transaction B, I use this
same g as a unit of acceleration, ex-
pressing the average acceleration of
an automobile going from 0 to 60
miles per hour in 7 seconds.

The "in" operator

never produces an

algebraically incorrect

result.

The "in" operator also protects
against getting the wrong dimen-
sions. Because the division in step 3
is done algebraically, the units would
not cancel unless they are the same
in the numerator and the de-
nominator. In other words, the
dimensions of the required units
must be the same as those of the
result. If this is not true— for exam-
ple, if the required units are feet, but
the expression yields a time interval
in seconds— the units would not
cancel out, and unexpected units
would be introduced to force an alge-
braically correct answer. For example,

? 2500 mile / (450 mile / hour) in foot;
@: (65616.7979002 second / meter) foot

By introducing the extra "meter" in
the denominator, the system is indi-
cating there is a mismatch in dimen-
sions. The answer returned in this
case is a time, not a length, which is
apparent because the result is not in
the units requested.

By similar reasoning, if the result
does appear in the required units, I
can be reasonably sure the dimen-
sions are being correctly manipu-
lated. This does not always prevent
me from using the wrong formula;
however, it does provide an excellent
check, especially when the algebra
becomes too complex for the dimen-
sions to be known intuitively. Some-
thing is wrong if I expect an accelera-
tion for an answer but get a frequen-
cy instead; these algebraic techniques
enable me to detect such errors im-
mediately, regardless of the complex-
ity of the computation.

If I realize I've made an error and
want that result expressed in hours,

? @ in hour;

@: 5.5555555 hour

puts the expression right. The "in"
operator never produces an alge-
braically incorrect result; even if I get
the dimensions wrong, I can still
recover easily, now that I know the
result is a time and not a length.

Other Dimensions

Units of time and length are only
the beginning. I also need mass
(standard unit "gram"), electric
charge ("coulomb"), magnetic flux
("weber"), and money ("USdollar").
For each dimension, I can add other
nonstandard units. Mass can be ex-
pressed in pounds, slugs, tons,
atomic mass units, carats, and
ounces; electric charge can be ex-
pressed in units of the charge on an
electron; magnetic flux can be ex-
pressed in maxwells; money can be
expressed in cents, megabucks, or in
other currencies such as yen or
pounds sterling (provided I keep the
exchange rates current).

Derived units can include a varie-
ty of energies (ergs, Btus, joules,
kilowatt-hours, electron volts, horse-
power-hours, foot-pounds); pres-
sures (atmospheres, millimeters of
mercury, pounds per square inch);
forces (dynes, newtons); and so on.
The total amount of memory avail-
able in the computer is the limiting
factor; each new definition uses as
much as 40 or 50 bytes of storage, de-
pending on the length of its name

486 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983

487

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488 BYTE December 1983

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BYTE December 1983 489

and the complexity of the expression
describing it. For example, the unit

? newton: kilo gram meter / second 2;
@: 1000 gram meter / second* 2

takes 44 bytes to store.

To clarify the descriptions in this ar-
ticle, I have spelled out all units. In
a practical system, abbreviations
would be handy:

? kg: kilo gram;
@: 1000 gram

or

? ft: foot;

@: 0.3048 meter

Abbreviations can easily be defined,
subject to the storage limitation.
Synonyms can also be used:

? gallon: USgallon;
@: 0.0037853 meter "3

? kilogram: kilo gram;
@: 1000 gram

Function Definitions

For formulas I want to use repeat-
edly, I can define functions, as in a
programming language. For example,
the expression representing the
gravitational force acting between
two masses, m, and m2, separated by
a distance d, and acted upon by the
universal gravitational constant G, is:

Gm1m2/d2

To use this formula, I first need the
constant G:

? G: 6.6732 10* -11 meter "3 /

kilogram / second* 2;
@: 6.6732 10 *- 14 meter "3 /

(gram second" 2)

and then a function definition:

? gravity (ml, m2, d): G ml m2 /
d*2;
@: gravity

The function "gravity" has three
parameters— ml, m2, and d— that are
replaced by corresponding argument

values when the function is invoked.
For instance,

? gravity (5.3 kilogram, 20 pound,

5 meter) in newton;
@: 1.2834098 10* -10 newton

expresses in newtons the gravita-
tional attraction of two masses of 5.3
kilograms and 20 pounds at a
distance of 5 meters. The arguments
"5.3 kilogram," "20 pound," and "5
meter" are substituted in the function
definition in place of the parameters
"ml," "m2," and "d," respectively. The
expression G ml m2 / d* 2 is then
evaluated, and the result is returned
to the point of invocation, where the
"in" operator picks it up and converts
it to newtons. Use of function defini-
tions helps organize difficult prob-
lems and saves keystrokes.

Because most computer algebra
systems use the LISP language or a
variant, it is always possible to define
more complicated functions involv-
ing loops, conditional tests, and
similar operations; details, however,
would vary from system to system. I
added the one-line function defini-
tion described earlier to the muSIMP
programming language specifically
for this calculating system. A com-
plete language itself, muSIMP em-
bodies elegant modular and block-
structured control constructs suffi-
cient for many programming prob-
lems.

Temperature Scales

Temperature can be considered a
physical dimension such as time or
length. The standard unit I use is the
Kelvin (K) degree. The other units
are:

? Co: kelvin;
@: kelvin

? Fo: 5/9 kelvin;
@: 0.5555555 kelvin

These are units of temperature
change, or relative temperature, and
are not meant to be interpreted as
temperatures on the Celsius (C) or
Fahrenheit (F) scales. Relative
temperature units are suitable for
calculations involving specific heats.

Given the specific heat of water at
constant pressure,

? specificheatFEO: 1 calorie / gram /

Co;
@: 4186 meter * 2 / (second * 2 gram

kelvin)

I can ask how much energy, in Btus,
is required to raise 6 pounds of water
by 30 F°, assuming the water does
not change state:

? specificheatH20 6 pound 30 Fo

in Btu;
@: 179.9749869 Btu

Bear in mind that the Fo in the first
line does not refer to the F scale— I
am referring to a temperature change,
not a specific temperature. (Note: in
these temperature transactions, the
lowercase o represents the degree
symbol.)

To work with actual temperatures
in the various scales, I introduce two
postfix operators, oF and oC. A
postfix operator takes its argument
on the left; if I enter

? waterboils: 212 oF;
@: 373:16 kelvin

the function named oF receives 212
as its argument, interprets it as an F
temperature and converts it to K. The
functions oF and oC are defined as:

? t oF: (5/9 (t - 32) + 273.16) kelvin;
@: oF

? t oC: (t + 273.16) kelvin;
@: oC

with t as the single parameter in each
case.

That takes care of entering temper-
atures on C and F scales. To enter K
temperature, I use "kelvin" because
the K scale is an absolute scale that
originates from a temperature of ab-
solute zero and needs no conversion:

? nitrogenmelts: 77 kelvin;
@: 77 kelvin

Displaying K temperatures pre-
sents no problems. If I want to
display temperatures on an F or a C

490 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Circle 452 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

491

scale, however, things get a bit
trickier. I add logic to the "in"
operator that handles the units oF
and oC separately. For example:

? nitrogenmelts in oF;
@: -321.07 oF

? waterboils in oC;
@: 100 oC

The oF and oC units on the right of
an "in" cannot be mixed with any
other units; they must stand alone as
in the above transactions. This restric-
tion does not hold for the units of
relative temperature, Fo or Co, which
may be combined with other units,
as in:

? specif icheatH20 in joule /

kilogram / Co;
@: 4186 joule / kilogram / Co

Combining temperature units en-
ables me to ask, for example, what is
the final F temperature of a ton of
water, initially at 20° C, to which 10
million joules of heat energy are in-
troduced:

? 20 oC + 10 * 7 joule / (1 ton) /

specificheatH20 in oF;
@: 72.7399951 oF

Plane and Solid Angles

I handle plane angles by introduc-
ing pi and using the radian as the
standard unit:

? pi: 3.1415926;
@: 3.1415926

? degree: pi/180 radian;
@: 0.0174532 radian

? revolution: 360 degree;
@: 6.2831852 radian

I want the normal trigonometric
functions, which can be provided by
programming them from the relevant
Taylor series expansions. After the
functions are properly defined, I
have:

? sin (30 degree);
@: 0.5

? cos (1/8 revolution);
@: 0.7071067

The other functions are defined in
terms of sin and cos:

? tan (angle): sin (angle) / cos

(angle);
@: tan

? sec (angle): 1 / cos (angle);
@: sec

? esc (angle): 1 / sin (angle);
@: esc

? cot (angle): 1 / tan (angle);
@: cot

In these trigonometric functions,
the argument must be a plane angle
in radians, degrees, revolutions, or
similar units. In some mathematical
systems, angles are dimensionless
quantities with no units. The defini-
tion of angle as the ratio of arc length
to radius, which is the ratio of two
lengths, suggests a simple dimen-
sionless number. But for this system,
I require that angles be entered in ap-
propriate units, not as dimensionless
quantities; however, trigonometric
functions return results that are
dimensionless numbers.

Having units of time and plane
angle, I can use angular velocities.
The moon's orbital period is 29.53
days, so its average angular velocity is

? omega: 1 revolution / (29.53 day);
@: 2.4626499 10 * -6 radian / second

Taking the angular velocity as a con-
stant (which it is, approximately),
what fraction of the moon's face is il-
luminated, as viewed from Earth, 5
days after the new moon?

? (1 - cos (omega 5 day)) / 2;
@: 0.2572515

I deal with solid angles in units of
steradians or spheres. The standard
is steradian, and sphere is defined as

? sphere: 4 pi steradian;
@: 12.5663706 steradian

Mixing solid and plane angles en-
ables me to define a function

? cone (theta): (1
steradian;

cos (theta)) 2 pi

@: cone

that computes the solid angle in a
cone of half-angle theta. The argu-
ment must be in units of plane angle
(because I am taking its cosine), and
the returned value would be a solid
angle in steradians. Then,

? cone (90 degree) in sphere;
@: 0.5 sphere

? cone (1 radian);

@: 2.8883658 steradian

Sexagesimal Notation

I find it convenient, especially
when dealing with angles or times,
to use base-60 (sexagesimal) notation.
To enter a quantity such as 4 hours
and 36 minutes, I might use the ex-
pression

? 4 hour + 36 minute;
@: 16560 second

However, it would be simpler to
enter this as

? 4:36 hour;

@: 16560 second

The system recognizes that the colon,
when between two numbers, is not
an assignment or function definition
but is a sexagesimal "radix point."
The number on the right (in this case,
36) is divided by 60 and added to the
number on the left (in this case, 4).
The result is 4.6, which in the exam-
ple is then multiplied by hour,
resulting in 16560 seconds. I can take
this one step further,

? 4:36:30 hour
@: 16590 second

in which case I have entered hours,
minutes, and seconds. I can do the
same with angles.

? 15:22:09 degree;
@: 0.2682426 radian

? sin (33:57:20 degree);
@: 0.5585496

By appending the appropriate units,
I can enter any quantity in sexa-
gesimal notation.

492 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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Data Transfer Rate
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Average Latency
Seek Time

Track-to- Track

Average

Maximum
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Physical Dimensions

Height
Width
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1 6.0 MBytes

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Summary

A computer algebra system can
speed scientific and engineering cal-
culations by carrying units along
algebraically and converting them as
necessary. For each dimension under
consideration, the user introduces a
standard unit (seconds for time,
meters for length, and so forth) and
gives all conversion factors at the
outset. At any time during the com-
putation, you can introduce new
units or physical constants in terms
of the ones already defined. You can
also introduce function definitions
appropriate to the problem at hand,
using them to save time and to help
organize the work. The result of any
computation can be expressed in
standard units (the default) or in any
units you want as long as the conver-
sion factors have been introduced
and the required units are appropri-
ate in terms of the dimensions of the
result. Although the super-calcu-
lator might be built around any
computer algebra system, it is
especially gratifying to have this
capability in a personal computer
for two reasons.

First, large computer algebra sys-
tems require large computers, which
are not readily available to in-
dividuals or to small groups. Now
that computer algebra is available for
most popular microcomputers, the
costs are low (total hardware and

software expenditures could be as lit-
tle as $2000), meaning that the kind
of system I have described would be
feasible for almost any engineering or
scientific working group, indeed for
almost any individual scientist or
engineer. The capability to work in
any units, without adding time or in-
creasing difficulty, is a convincing
argument for the use of such a sys-
tem. If you consider the algebra
system's capability to detect dimen-
sional errors, the conventional scien-
tific calculator begins to look clumsy
by comparison.

Second, the hardware used— a Z80
system with 56K bytes of RAM
(random-access read/write mem-
ory)—is not unusual; in the current
technological environment, it's possi-
ble to imagine such a system reduced
to the size of an 8V2- by 11-inch note-
book. Portable computers with type-
writer keyboards, one- or two-line
alphanumeric displays, and sufficient
RAM can handle algebraic manipula-
tions. Thus, we can look forward in
the next few years to the availability
of portable scientific calculators with
the kind of algebraic capability I now
have in my personal computer. The
applications for such a device include
computing miles per gallon, figuring
current densities in amperes per
square centimeter, and calculating
the price of peanuts in dollars per
kilogram. Each application has its

own characteristic units, constants
and formulas, and each system could
be configured by a user for specific
problems.

In the past, computer algebra sys-
tems have been used for abstruse
mathematical problems with for-
mulas too cumbersome to be dealt
with manually. (This is one reason
most computer algebra is done on
large machines.) Affordable com-
puter algebra systems using personal
computers and the techniques de-
scribed in this article can improve the
speed and certainty of calculations
and will perhaps make the conven-
tional scientific calculator obsolete in
a few years. ■

Stuart Edwards is a software designer, consult-
ant, and lecturer. He holds a Master's degree in com-
puter science from the University of Hawaii.

Since submitting this article to BYTE several
months ago, I have developed an advanced version
of this system that includes a completely new algebra
subsystem designed specifically for physical calcula-
tions. Write to me at 2993-B Koali Rd., Honolulu,
HI 96826 if you are interested in obtaining a copy
of the software.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Dave Stoutemyer and Al Rich of The
Soft Warehouse (POB 11174, Honolulu, HI 96828)
for giving me a lot of help and encouragement on
this project. Also thanks to Natalie Jung for her in-
fectious enthusiasm.

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User to User

Conducted by Jerry Pournelle

From Pascal to Modula-2

Dear Jerry,

In "The Debate Goes On ..." (Aug-
ust, page 312), you refer to a Modula-2
program that can translate programs
from Pascal into Modula-2. 1 am very in-
terested in a program such as this as we
are switching the language used at our
installation from Pascal to Modula-2.

Could you tell me how I could get a
copy of this program? Thank you.
Dan Stanger

Howard Brandston Lighting Design Inc.
141 West 24th St.
New York, NY 10011

Alas, I was premature in believing the
Pascal-to-Modula program was available. It
wouldn't be hard to write, and I'm certain one
will be done Real Soon Now.

My apologies for raising your hopes. I'll
report on the program as soon as I have one
that works. . . . Jerry

Dear Jerry,

You have mentioned several times
Niklaus Wirth's new book Programming
in Modula-2. I have tried to find it in the
local bookstores (big bookstores, of
course), but each of them said they
needed the ISBN number. I checked your
articles and also the article, "Modula-2,"
(April, page 385) for the number. Unfor-
tunately, it was never mentioned. I sup-
pose you have that book. Could you
please send me the ISBN number? I think
you are about my last hope for finding
the book within this year.
Danny Backx
Grootreesdijk 124
B 2460 Kasterlee
Belgium

There is a second, corrected edition: the
ISBN number is 0-387-12206-0. . . . Jerry

Dear Jerry,

I have been fascinated by your com-
ments on Modula-2 and the Sage. I
bought Niklaus Wirth's book and have
given it a fast first reading. I have visited
a Sage dealer in Manhattan and seen his
1-megabyte RAM, 20-megabyte disk
model running three terminals. I have
written letters to both Sage and Volition
(no replies as yet). Now I am hoping that
you might put me in contact with some

serious users of the Sage/Modula-2
system.

I am trying to evaluate the system for
custom accounting and engineering sys-
tems that might be constructed from
modules that I (and others) would first
have to develop. I have been doing this
using Osbornes and Victors with dBASE
II for local customers. The Osborne's
small disk-storage space (even with dou-
ble density) has always required me to
stop the system short of what it might be.
The Victor has not been the same prob-
lem; however, dBASE II has provided its
own rack of difficulties that must be con-
tinually dealt with. Although, as adver-
tised, dBASE II has cut application-
development time to less than 25 percent
when compared to Microsoft BASIC and
less than 60 percent when compared to
Pascal/M, it is miserable as a language
and littered with bugs that Ashton-Tate
has demonstrated no interest in fixing.
Full-blown COBOL seems too unwieldy
for me. The concept of Modula-2 is very
appealing, even though I realize that I
must develop my own DBMS language
before I can use it. That is, unless you
have heard of one that will run the Sage
and would be better than developing my
own.

When I was in Champaign/Urbana, I
saw the documentation on a microcom-
puter-based DBMS called Knowledge
Man. It was a DBMS language more
elegant than dBASE II and without the
constraints. The University of Illinois In-
formation Services had it. No one had yet
run it seriously (it is designed for the IBM
PC with 256K bytes). Have you heard of
or seen it?
Ben Smith
POB 80582
Fairbanks, AK 99708

J first saw dBASE II, then yclept Vulcan,
in about 1979. It had the most miserable docu-
mentation I've ever seen. One of the users at
Cal Tech's Jet Propulsion Laboratories volun-
teered to write a tutorial introduction to it on
her own time. Ashton-Tate bought the pro-
gram, changed the documents somewhat, and
marketed it skillfully. For several years dBASE
II was about the best database program
available for microcomputer users.

Alas, the program hasn't really kept up.
Modern microcomputers are capable of much
more than they were when Vulcan was writ-

ten, but dBASE II has improved hardly at all.
I'm not familiar with Knowledge Man.
Within a year I expect to see some really good
database programs written in Modula-2 for the
new generation microcomputers.
. . . Jerry

Vector Review Requested

Dear Jerry,

I would like to address a couple of
issues mentioned in "Interstellar Drives,
Osborne Accessories, DEDICATE/32, and
Death Valley" fluly page 323).

As for an appropriate nomer for your
Compupro mainframe, why not try
"Mann/' on for size? I realize it may not
be elaborate, but it works.

Something I would like to see would be
a review of Vector Graphic equipment
and software. In the first column of yours
that I read, you mentioned that you had
heard of Vector's program editor, Scope.
I use it quite a bit since I own an older
Vector system and do some programming
in dBASE II (which has a lousy editor).
For someone that does some program-
ming but does not need macros and fea-
tures found on EMACS and other large
systems, if s a good package. Besides that,
it's free with the system. The Vector-
designed software, especially Execuplan
II, its spreadsheet package, is pretty good
compared to some others I've seen. I've
sold a number of different hardware-
software combinations, and the Vector
systems have been the easiest to sell, even
though they are somewhat more
expensive.
Randy Golden
POB 2397
Kilgore, TX 75662

J tried "Manny" but the machine didn't like
it. We try to cater to his whims . . .

Some years ago I strongly recommended Vec-
tor Graphic equipment, but that was two gen-
erations of microcomputers ago; I'm no longer
familiar with Vector's hardware or software,
and indeed seldom hear much about it. It's my
impression that Scope was excellent in its day,
but better editors are available now. I don't
know whether they'd work with your equip-
ment; my friend Owen Davies, a senior editor
at Omni magazine, had a Vector system with
a nonstandard operating system and couldn't
use foreign programs with it. He finally re-
placed it. . . . Jerry

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 499

User to User.

From an Ex Ex-Mon User

Dear Jerry,

I note with interest your description of
the Ex-Mon monitor adapter for the
Osborne 1 in "Interstellar Drives,
Osborne Accessories, DEDICATE/32, and
Death Valley" (July page 323). I feel
strongly this device should not be
recommended.

I purchased the Ex-Mon in November,
when I bought my Osborne 1. Within two
weeks (of very delicate handling), the
device failed. My monitor screen went
blank, the 5-inch screen continued to
function (indicating that the computer
had not failed), and I trundled my
machine back to the computer store.

The setup was under warranty. The
store replaced my Ex-Mon device, and
told me it had had problems with these
in the past, particularly when owners had
manipulated the Ex-Mon while the com-
puter was turned on. Apparently this can
destroy the device.

I used my next Ex-Mon with complete
satisfaction, adding an extra length of
cable between monitor and computer so
I could plug in the monitor without

touching the Ex-Mon adapter. My new
one caused no problems, but in retrospect
this may be because I hooked up the ex-
ternal monitor only once or twice in the
last six months.

The end of the dream came a week ago.
I set up a computer station in my home
office and plugged in the monitor. The
computer and monitor worked well. I re-
arranged the wiring, unplugging the
monitor in mid-cable to do so. When I
plugged it back in, the monitor died; that
is, the adapter died. Apparently it is more
fragile than I thought.

I went back to the store. "Yes," the
manager said, "we've had five or six of
those that have self-destructed." That
seems a lot for a small town such as
Napa. I have no information regarding
the failure rate of the Ex-Mon, but it
seems to be high.

My computer store says another com-
pany makes such a device. If I can find
out who it is, I will write you that infor-
mation. If you find out who it is, please
put a note in your column.
Dan McMahon
4590 Dry Creek Rd.
Napa, CA 94558

nore than just a word
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the

Alas, I have had several other letters with
similar complaints. Our unit has worked for
about a year with no trouble, but I confess we
don't use it continuously because we have a
regular Osborne large screen as well.

I'd be glad to try a similar product from
another company, but at the moment I don't
know who makes them. Perhaps the Osborne
User Group would know. . . . Jerry

99/4A Notes

Dear Jerry,

Thanks for kicking TI in "Interstellar
Drives, Osborne Accessories, DEDI-
CATE/32, and Death Valley" (July, page
323). Like you, I owned one of their
calculators— the SR-56— with 100-step pro-
gramming and always thought highly of
it and TI.

The difference between the calculators
and the 99/4A turns on the observation
that we could make the calculators do
everything they could. Not so with the
99/4A, yet it seems not surprising from
the perhaps mistaken viewpoint that the
99 is really a ROMed-up version of the
TI 990 computer system.

If the 99/4A is really just part of that
series with a clumsy BASIC-GROM sys-
tem, it seems imperative that these third-
party software people get hacking on a
chip-replacement set for the operating
system. There are three reasons:

First, it looks like an inexpensive con-
current computer is right on the shelves
(the 99/4A is $70 at local stores). Second,
it seems to be the most direct approach
to both the third-party licensing and
hobbyist problems with GROM/GPL. By
replacing GROM and the OS with a re-
locatable OS monitor, TI might just have
to back down. (A software-interrupt
driven 9900 is very attractive and it's right
there to be taken.) And, more personally,
as a newcomer to owning a computer, I
resent being sold a system with a resident
GROM.

Anyway, here are some books that
point to better things:

For an explanation about why the 99/4A
is really a 990 and, interestingly, a floppy-
disk control program, use Microprocessors/
Microcomputers/System Design published
by McGraw-Hill.

For a glimpse of a concurrent 990 (and
therefore, 99/4A) as well as what might
be a description of where GROM came
from, read chapter 5: "Component Soft-
ware" from Software Development (TI
#MPA29).

500 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 339 on Inquiry card.

For a tutorial with software and hard-
ware theory and explanation, read Fun-
damentals of Microcomputer Design (TI
#MPB30A) and 16-Bit Microprocessor Sys-
tems, published by McGraw-Hill.

I bought these books to augment TI's
Editor/Assembler manual. For learning
assembly language they've been a great
help. However, it'll take real expertise to
do anything about the 99/4A. I hope that
the right people will get working. It'll be
a while before my 99/4A deserves a name;
I'm jealous.
Frederick Hawkins
1020 North 6th St.
Allentown, PA 18102

We've yet to get a TI 99/4A, although I in-
tend to buy one so that I can include at least
a few words about it in upcoming books and
columns. You obviously know a great deal
more about the TI machines than I do; I
wouldn't have the faintest idea of how to re-
place the operating system, and I don't advise
anyone to try it.

However, if there's anyone out there who's
both mad enough and expert enough to accom-
plish this, I'd love to hear from him.

Thanks for the tip on books. (See Jerry's
article, "The User Looks at Books," on
page 519.) I haven't seen those yet; given the
explosion in computer books, it's nearly im-
possible to keep up. . . . Jerry

Simplifying Structure

Dear Jerry,

Structure, structure, and more struc-
ture. There is no such thing as a struc-
tured programming language, just struc-
tured programmers.

I see no use in a language that won't
let you do something that needs to be
done, just for some arbitrary rule of struc-
ture. I'd rather see a language that
cooperates with the programmer in the
solution of a problem and leaves structure
and organization to the programmer in-
stead of a language that fights the pro-
grammer if he or she tries to use the lan-
guage any way other than the way it was
written.

Example: I specialize in taking applica-
tions programs that run nicely on a big
expensive mainframe and trimming them
down to run on a small mini. I want a lan-
guage that will cooperate, not give me
more of a problem.

Oi course, the programmer must devel-
op certain techniques to self-structure his
code, or, as you point out, the program

cannot be maintained. My point is, it
should be the programmer who struc-
tures his or her code and the language to
execute it, not the other way around. A
programmer's style evolves, as do his or
her skills.
M. W. Cocke
246 West Upsal St.
Philadelphia, PA 19119

Certainly programming style evolves; I was
just working on my old Star Trek game and
I discovered a number of horrors I'd put in
it.

The question of language limitations is im-
portant. Marvin Minsky of MIT decries Pascal
because it is, as he says, a voluntarily worn
straitjacket. It prevents you from doing cer-
tain things in the most convenient way. The
payoff is that later you will have a much bet-
ter chance of remembering exactly how you did
what. More to the point, someone else will
have a fighting chance of understanding what
you did.

I once saw Minsky write a Turing Machine
simulator in APL. It was a single line of about
80 characters of code. In APL, a single char-
acter can stand for "Invert this matrix" or
something equally complex. There was no

chance that Minsky or anyone else would ever
be able to modify that program.

If all your programs are for your own use
and will never be maintained or modified by
someone else; if you can guarantee that you
will not abandon the programming language
for a new one, but will stay familiar with it;
and if you'll never want to incorporate
elements of old programs into new ones you're
writing, then you should probably use the
most flexible language possible.

I'm not overly pleased with many of Pascal's
limits myself, and I admit that I do most of
my programming in CB-80 because Pascal's
peculiarities tend to infuriate me. However,
since we're switching to Modula-2 here at
Chaos Manor, a lot of the Pascal debate has
become moot.

Do recall that my columns are largely
oriented toward the user. I'm always pleased
when a professional programmer finds some-
thing to like. . . . Jerry

A New Warranty

Dear Jerry,

This letter involves the dreaded soft-
ware licensing agreement. You have had

What's more than just an electronic

MlWiUllV

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Software

Available on the IBM Personal Compufer™ and compatibles, plus the Epson QX-10,"
Victor 'WOO™ and soon the NCR DECISION MATE V.™

Circle 340 on Inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 501

User to User.

occasion to get upset about the nonsense
that is usually contained in these things,
and so have I. This led me to have a little
fun with them, as seen in the "View-
point" column that I wrote for the
February 28, 1983, issue of lnfoworld. My
hope was that people would start enclos-
ing copies of this warranty with their
payments to software companies. It didn't
happen, but life goes on.
Dave Wilson
635 Wellsbury Way
Palo Alto, CA 94306

For those who didn't see it, Mr. Wilson's
hilarious "warranty" of the check accompany-
ing payment for software included such terms
as "This check is valid for 30 days. Should
the paper it is printed on disintegrate, you be
sure to let me know" and "This check is pro-
vided 'As Is' without warranty, either express
or implied, including, but not limited to, the
implied warranties of financial value or liquid-
ity. The entire risk that this check can be
cashed, or even that it is drawn on a bank that
actually exists on the planet Earth is assumed
by you. Should the check prove defective,
you— not I— assume the entire cost of all nec-
essary, but fruitless, efforts at reimbursement."

I too regret that the micro community didn't
adopt his "implied warranty" which, natural-
ly, became effective when the check was
cashed. . . . Jerry

Two for Public-Domain Pascal

Dear Jerry,

You asked for information in "Epson
QX-10, Zenith Z-29, CP/M-68K, and More"
(August, page 434) on how to get the
public-domain version of UCSD Pascal
running on a system using a Compupro
Disk 1 controller. Unfortunately, I have
been having problems getting Version rV.O
UCSD p-System from Softech Microsys-
tems running using the Disk 1. If the two
versions are similar enough I may be able
to use information about the public ver-
sion to get the commercial version run-
ning. Let me define my problem.

The computer I have been working on
has a Z80 processor, 64K RAM, a Com-
pupro Disk 1 single-density/double-
density disk controller, and two 8-inch
disk drives. The operating system is CP/M
2.2, which uses the Compupro-supplied
GBBIOS with changes only in the con-

Available on the IBM Personal Computer™ and compatibles, plus the Epson QX-10,™ the
Victor wnn™ and soon the NCR DECISION MATE V™

sole and printer routines.

First I tried to use the PASBOOT pro-
gram to boot up the CP/M-adaptable
system. Since the p-System disks were
single density, it was necessary to re-
calibrate the drives before trying to read
the secondary booter, which refused to be
read anyway.

Next I obtained a working p-System
disk from another computer. I changed
the PASBOOT program to include disk
routines from the Compupro-supplied
GBBOOT program. I also modified the
GBBIOS to do only single-density reads
and to run below CP/M at B800 hexadec-
imal. The attempt to boot was partially
successful and the secondary booter was
read in, but an error, "Can't find SYS-
TEM. PASCAL," occurred. Since the
same disk will boot up on its own with
other computers, I assume that this file
is present. The interleave and skew values
I used are correct for this disk. There were
also no errors occurring during the BIOS
disk routines.

I wrote both Compupro and Softech
Microsystems and was told that the prob-
lem is a nonstandard BIOS and that I will
have to use the full-adaptable system.

If you receive or already have informa-
tion on getting either version of Pascal
running, I would appreciate it greatly if
you would send it to me. I would espe-
cially like to receive a working SBIOS for
use with the Disk 1.
Dwight Irving
Chemistry Department
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83843

Alas, your problems are typical of others
reported to me. All I can say is that there is
a version of public-domain UCSD Pascal run-
ning at Cornell University; but so far, no one
has shown me how to get it operating on my
machine. I keep hoping. . . . Jerry

Dear Jerry

If you successfully get the public-
domain UCSD p-System up on your
Compupro, will other users like me be
able to do so? In other words, will some-
body please document the installation so
the rest of us can install it also?

I am the service manager of a small
computer dealership (Apple, DEC,
Osborne, Victor, and add-ons). I have
grown accustomed to the Apple version
of UCSD/p and recognize the value of its
transportability. I have seen the Sage in
action and would like our store to carry
it (no floor plan for it yet, or we would

502 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 341 on Inquiry card.

have it now), which would mean more
exposure to UCSD/p. Both Victor and
Osborne have versions of the p-System
up and running. This means that my job
will soon involve answering questions
about the p-System, and I would like to
give customers the right answers from my
experience. I am also rather fond of
Pascal.

It was my intention to buy the general
version of the UCSD p-System from a
vendor in San Diego, try to hook onto the
CBIOS of C/PM-816, and see what hap-
pened. If there is an easily installed,
public-domain version of the p-System,
I am very interested, even to the point of
getting it, installing it, and making the in-
stalled version for Compupro 816 public.
I had not even heard of a public version
until your mention in the August User's
Column.
Ed Karns

Execution Systems
628 East Washington St.
Petaluma, CA 94952

J really know no more than that a Cornell
University professor told me there was an
S-100-bus version of UCSD Pascal and that
it was legally available.

A number of people 1 respect are fond of
UCSD Pascal and its operating system. As I've
mentioned before, Carl Helmers, former
editorial director of BYTE, has five Apple com-
puters running UCSD Pascal; he's so fond of
them that his personalized automobile license
plate reads "P CODE."

If I learn anything more, I promise I'll fea-
ture it in the column. . . . Jerry

What's the Next Bus?

Dear Jerry,

The S-100 bus has served long and well,
but as you well know the day will soon
be upon us when 32-bit microprocessors
are relatively inexpensive and multimega-
byte RAMs are within the reach of home-
brews without having to sell the furni-
ture. It is useless to pooh-pooh the idea
with comments like, "What will one do
with all that power and memory," as the
ideas and applications will rise to the
challenge. (You only have to think back
a few years when 16K became available
for a micro.) Given the limitations of the
S-100, where are the hackers going to
migrate?

I am not asking for a specific answer but
thought that this subject would be ap-
propriate for discussion reviewing the

merits and disadvantages of the Multibus,
Versabus, VME, IEEE-896, "Futurebus," et
al.

I am already thinking about the VME,
and from what I have read, I think that
this may be the best. Obviously, my
thinking is irrelevant, as I would have to
follow the manufacturer's offerings.
Justin Farnsworth
65, rue Chauveau
92200 Neuilly
France

I agree that the question is more than in-
teresting. I don't have an answer. My friend
and associate Tony Pietsch developed a proj-
ect known as the PI Buss, which he claims
has advantages over all the others, but I don't
know who would develop and market it.

Perhaps some other readers will have more
information. . . . Jerry

Three Busy Bees

Dear Jerry,

You have said several times that you
hope the computer market is never fully
sewn up by large companies. I wonder if

I might trouble you for an opinion for a
"garage company"? I daresay that our
situation is, if not unique, then far from
ordinary. We keep getting kicked out of
the garage by our parents. If that seems
like a rather unusual company, allow me
to explain.

The company is B, B & B Electronics (1
Jill Dr., Carnegie, PA 15106), named for
the three of us foolish enough to propose
a company. We do not legally exist as a
company and two of us are still minors.
This didn't stop us from pursuing com-
puter design over the last three and a half
years. Before we graduated from high
school last spring, we succeeded in get-
ting our first micro running without any
formal training and without assistance
beyond the kindly loan by U.S. Steel of
a ROM-burner. In recent months we have
redesigned our machine, and it is now a
self-contained, if jury-rigged, affair that
no longer requires an external terminal.
We are sufficiently happy with what we
now have to refer to it as our "prototype,"
even though we have no way of produc-
ing or marketing it.

While we iron out a few minor bugs,
we are casting about for ideas to add a

Peachtree
Software

Available on the IBM Personal Computer'* and compatibles, plus the Epson QX-10,™ the
Victor WnO™ and soon the NCR DECISION MATE V!"

Circle 342 on inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

503

User to User.

(la)

FRONT VIEW

(lb)

SIDE VIEW

.^\

(lc)

8- SLOT

PARTIALLY DECODED

MOTHER BOARD

EXTERNAL I/O

COOLING
FAN-

INTERNAL I/O
DECODING

64K/128K
RAM BOARD

VIDEO BOARD
DISK INTERFACE
POWER LED

75-KEY
KEYBOARD

POWER SUPPLY

CPU:

CONTAINS ROM,

MEMORY

DECODING,

KEYBOARD

DRIVER

FLOPPY DISK

DRIVES

15-KEY KEYPAD

INTERIOR VIEW

Figure 1: The proposed production model of the BBB-1.
la: The front view showing dual floppy-disk drives.
lb: The side view showing relative proportions.
lc: The interior view of the homebrew computer.

special touch to our machine that might
interest somebody in the design. Mean-
while, we've had a great deal of fun and
learned quite a bit in the process. Peo-
ple who congratulate us are never turned
away, and advice offered is accepted with
open minds (even if we do promptly dis-
card it). With this in mind, do you have
any suggestions or criticisms to offer us?

In the optimistic days, before it was
demonstrated to us that building a com-
puter was impossible, Bob Barker (not the
one on TV, but the first B in our company)
and I agreed to send you one of our first
production models (see figure 1).

The system we have now is a Z80-
based microcomputer with 64K or 128K
of dynamic RAM, 16K of ROM, and 2K
of video RAM. We have a 90-key key-
board (see figure 2) on the drawing board
shown with the proposed key layout,
meaning it's what we want, but can we
find keycap manufacturers who have the
proper legends? You may recognize the
layout as being drawn almost directly
from the H-19, of which the three of us
are fond. We can actually use any key lay-
out by reprogramming the keyboard en-
coder; at present we have a stock Jameco
keyboard on the prototype.

The video screen is currently 25 lines
of 64 characters, which will change to 80
characters if we ever get around to buy-
ing a faster crystal. The display is gen-
erated by the MC6845 video-display chip
found in the TRS-80 Model 11/12/16. (By
the way, did you know it's possible to pro-

Fo

Fl

F2

F3

F4

Fs

F6

F?

F8

F9

FlO

Fll

Fl2

CPU
RESET

SYSTEM
RESET

ESC

1

2

#
3

4

%
5

6

a

7

6

(
9

)
0

—

+

-

BACK
SPACE

TAB

Q

W

E

R

T

Y

U

1

0

P

]
[

\

LINE
FEED

DELETE

CTRL

CAPS
LOCK

A

s

D

F

G

H

J

K

L

"

1
(

RETURN

FUNCTION

SHIFT

Z

X

C

V

B

N

M

<

>

a

/

SHIFT

REPEAT

ERASE

XMIT

KEYPAD
MODE

IC
7

1

8

DC
9

4

HOME
5

6

IL
1

1

2

DL
3

0

ENTER

Figure 2: The keyboard of the BBB-1.

504 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

gram a Model 11/12/16 to burn out its own
monitor?) The 128-character set is pro-
duced by an 8 by 8 matrix copied largely
from the character set of the Ohio Scien-
tific Superboard II of days gone by, plus
their reverse video complements. The
ways in which we revise the video sec-
tion depend on whether the machine
will be intended for use on TV sets or not.

Something else not yet worked out is
disk storage, but Bob is working on it. He
also modified the memory decoding and
bank switching to allow CP/M Plus; he
and Roger Brockenbrough (the third B)
have agreed that implementing such a
system and developing a CBIOS will be
my job. (They make me do all the soft-
ware; I wrote a BASIC interpreter, ma-
chine monitor, and a cassette-operating
system.)

The software is in ROM at present: a
tiny BASIC I'm almost afraid to admit
having written, a monitor hardly above
the OSI C1P stage, and the I/O support
routines. On initialization, these pro-
grams all bank-switch themselves nicely
into RAM so the user never sees the
ROM. This transfer, with the Z80 block-
move instructions, is too fast to even
notice on reset.

Since the summer has gone while we
worked and we are out of high school,
things are starting to wind down for our
grand and glorious ideas. By the time we
get out of college, however, our knowl-
edge will no doubt be out of date. We pre-
dict our current design to be laughably
outdated within a year or two at the most.

Please do not criticize our lack of Micro-
soft BASIC. Last December we wrote a
respectful letter to Microsoft asking if we
could possibly license any existing BASIC
at all, to which they never responded. I
then wrote my own, which I hope I never
have to do again: it's murder! Also, my
end product is only marginally more de-
veloped than the tiny BASIC found built
into some processor chips (such as the
Z8671). Rest assured that we would never
even think of marketing any product with
my current BASIC 1.3 in it.
Mark Bereit
343 Rockfield Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15243

I'm impressed. I doubt you chaps will have
any problems finding suitable positions in the
computer world.

The days of fortunes made through new full-
blown computer designs built in a garage for
a few hundred dollars are, alas, just about over.
Wozniak and Jobs (Apple) and David Jackson

(Altos) obviously had the right ideas—but they
were also supremely lucky in their timing.
There are still openings for after-market
equipment for popular machines like the Com-
modore 64, Atari, IBM PC, and such, and a
very good market exists for IEE-696 (S-100)
boards that do new and different things. Most
successful garage companies, though, will
probably involve software. . . . Jerry

Languages of Choice

Dear Jerry,

I am an engineer and not a computer
scientist. As an engineer, I am interested
in using and writing programs that solve
problems, not programs that are works of
art. These tend to be much larger than
your typical one-run on a microcomputer,
generally running from 1000 to 20,000
lines of code. In addition, they may han-
dle amounts of data up to 100,000 num-
bers or more in an iterative fashion. I have
to be concerned with cost to my client,
so speed and the charges are important,
especially since computer charges may be
10 to 50 percent of some of the studies
that my company does. As computers be-

come more powerful, we will find more
problems to use that extra power. Cur-
rently, certain studies that we would like
to do are not economical and would re-
quire a 10-fold drop in computer charges
before we can consider them.

Now, engineers use FORTRAN (that
language hated by you and computer
scientists) not to spite anyone and not be-
cause of tradition, but because it has two
major advantages besides speed of execu-
tion. The first is portability. When pro-
grams are written to closely adhere to the
ANSI 66 (or 77) standards for FORTRAN,
it is easy to move programs from com-
puter to computer. For example, a team
of two engineers moved a 50,000-plus-
lines civil-engineering program from a
Honeywell (36-bit word) to a Harris 500
(24-bit word) in about four hours of edit-
ing and compiling. I have worked with
programs written by research organiza-
tions for computers other than the one I
use, yet I only have to change 4 to 10 lines
(clearly identified in documentation) out
of 10 to 20,000 lines of code— and then
have it compile and run correctly the first
time. We have had a 3000-line program
(written by our company's engineers) on

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December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

505

User to User.

five different computers and compilers in
the last year and a half— and it can
typically be brought up in less than 2
hours. How many of your favorite lan-
guages are available on as broad a range
of computers and capable of this degree
of portability?

The second major reason is dynamic di-
mensioning of arrays. First, subroutines can
receive arrays of any size and shape.

SUBROUTINE (ARRAY, M,N)
DIMENSION ARRAY (M,N)

Granted, this can lead to errors in the
hands of the careless, but it also allows
a powerful library of standard subrou-
tines to be built up (for example, the IBM
Scientific Subroutines Package in the
public domain), compiled, and then kept
in a library. These subroutines are source-
compatible with any ANSI standard FOR-
TRAN compiler, thus reducing the
amount of work that the user must do.

Also, multiple arrays can be allocated
out of a large pool vector after a few
parameters are entered for the problem.
Since these parameters can change from
run to run (thus changing the size of the
arrays), the use of a pool means that we
do not have to edit and recompile the pro-
gram every time certain parameters
change— as they constantly do in engi-
neering. Before I implemented this fea-
ture to a program, we had to recompile
one program once a month (a 4- to 6-hour
job)— now it is once a year, when we add
a new feature to the program.

I know that subscript checking is non-
existent in standard FORTRAN and its
string-handling capabilities are abysmal,
but I can live with this more so than I
could with the array limitations and non-
portability that you are finding in Pascal.
Currently, the only language that might
possibly replace FORTRAN is C, and only
if enough companies accept the de facto
Bell-standard version.

I also know of your dislike of Microsoft
BASIC on microcomputers, but its
dynamic arrays and flexible Chain (which
lets a program modify itself) allow it to
be used in ways simply not possible with
CBASIC or any other BASIC. I do not
know of any other version of BASIC or
any other language on 8-bit microcom-
puters that will allow me to do what I can
do in my POL/PS. (See Mark Finger's
three-part article, "Problem Oriented Lan-
guage," in BYTE, December 1982, January
and February 1983.) I noted the problems
of unreadable code and line numbers per

line, but instead of abandoning the lan-
guage, I wrote a series of utilities that
allows me to have relatively readable code
with comments yet do development more
easily than with a compiled language.
These programs have been released to the
public domain (under the typical public-
domain copyright limitations— that is, not
for resale for more than a small copying
charge). I will still furnish them for the
$30 indicated.

I envy those versions of BASIC that
have local variables in their subroutines,
but CBASIC is best used in business-type
applications where the general data struc-
ture and size are known beforehand. In
technical areas, the dynamic arrays and
self-modifying features (to incorporate a
user-defined equation, for example) are
more important.
Mark Finger
2439 Overlook Circle
Lawrence, KS 66044

I don't hate FORTRAN. When I was a
graduate student, we had to program the IBM
650 in machine language, and we would have
sold our chances for graduation for
FORTRAN.

However, I still don't recommend FOR-
TRAN as a language microcomputer users
ought to learn. Its portability is commendable
but applies largely to mini and mainframe
computers; microcomputers have the usual
problems of disk-format compatibility and disk
file structures to add to the confusion. And
the array problem in Pascal is certainly severe;
I've cursed it often enough myself.

However, most computer users will begin
with interpreted BASIC. When they grow
weary of that, they look for a compiled lan-
guage. I simply would not recommend that
their first choice be FORTRAN.

Those who already know FORTRAN from
larger machines are often disappointed when
they discover the limits of most microcomputer
implementations but are usually able to ad-
just. That's fine for them. FORTRAN is likely
to be the language of choice for many special
applications, too.

Your impression of compiled CBASIC
(CB-80) is incorrect. CB-80 permits dynamic
arrays, has an excellent library manager for
precompiled code segments, and has chaining
at least as good as Microsoft's MBASIC.

I remain unrepentant: FORTRAN is not
what I'd recommend microcomputer users
learn when they tire of BASIC. Go out and
learn Modula-2. That's the wave of the micro
future.

Where in the world did you learn to lump
me in with the computer scientists? . . . Jerry

Software Before Hardware

Dear Jerry,

In regard to your statement in "Zenith-
100, Epson QX-10, Software Licensing,
and the Software Piracy Problem" (June,
page 411): "The one thing you won't per-
suade me of is that you've much chance
of handling the records of 100,000 policy
holders on any kind of microcomputer
I'm going to see in the next few years."

Sorry, Jerry, but Advanced Manage-
ment Systems Limited (a New Zealand
company) has developed a complete
package of software for the DEC LSI-11/
23 microcomputer, including operating
system, compilers, editor, database sys-
tem, etc., that will support up to 40 ter-
minals on a 256K-byte DEC LSI-U/23.

We call this package AMPS (Advanced
Management Programming System) and
believe it has more advanced features
than most mini and mainframe systems.
The first application for this software was
for Royal Insurance, which has over
100,000 policy covers on its New Zealand
head-office computer. Royal has one
LSI-11/23 computer in each of its six main
branches.

In case you consider the LSI-11/23 to be
a minicomputer rather than a micro (al-
though DEC calls it a micro), it is worth
mentioning that we intend making a ver-
sion of the software for the 68000, and I
am confident it will be able to support a
hundred terminals.

It is my contention that virtually all
manufacturer-supplied software is gross-
ly inefficient and wastes 90 percent or
more of the computer's power. This has
been demonstrated by developing an on-
line system on an IBM 370/135 that runs
over two hundred terminals, as well as
by the AMPS software on the LSI-11/23.
In each case, the manufacturer's software
will support only about one-tenth this
number of terminals.

The days of the big mainframe com-
puters are numbered, as Intel, Motorola,
and National Semiconductor bring out
chips with more and more power. Exist-
ing software available on 16- and 32-bit
microcomputers is generally inefficient
also. With good software, machines like
the 68000, the DEC 11-J, the 80286, and the
NS-32 series will totally collapse the com-
puter market, as they can economically
cover the whole range of products from
single-user micros to superminis and
medium-sized mainframes. For larger sys-
tems, the most economical solution will
be to use multiprocessor versions of the

506 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983 507

User to User.

same machines.

The real changes will only occur, how-
ever, when computer users learn to
choose their software and then get some
hardware that works with it, rather than
the other way around. The prime-num-
ber benchmarks published by BYTE
amply demonstrate that the variation in
application-execution speed using dif-
ferent compilers for a given machine
varies by a factor of 1 to 1000, which far
exceeds any hardware price/performance
variations. Programmer productivity also
varies by a factor of more than 1 to 10 on
different software, again indicating that
the software should be chosen before the
hardware.
R. Tomes

Advanced Management Systems Limited
11 Huron St., POB 33426
Takapuna, New Zealand

Of course I consider the LSI-11/23 a mini-
computer, and so would just about anyone
else.

However, 1 agree that I was rash in my
statement; the Sage IV with hard disk can
already manage 100,000 policy records, and
I'm rewriting my "Minimum Data Base" to

allow it to do much the same thing (although
I've no need for that many records!),

I can't recall why I ever said a silly thing
like that. I wrote it in December 1982 (the
pipeline was much longer then; it's down to
a couple of months now), but alas, I knew bet-
ter then. Perhaps I can plead too much Christ-
mas cheer? Stay well. . . . Jerry

For Your Information

Dear Jerry,

In addition to the deficiencies of Super-
file, which you have already mentioned
in 'Terminal Solutions, Manual Madness,
BASIC Bits, and Info Helpers" (April,
page 324), there is one more I have never
seen reference to in print: the program
does not prevent one giving a file an il-
legal name.

Some months ago I was called to the
rescue of a friend who was having prob-
lems: "I used the Superfile utilities pro-
gram to rename a file, and I can see the
new name in the directory, but when I try
to do anything with the file, the computer
can't find it." It took only a moment to see
what had happened: my friend had spec-

ified the new name as "MAIL LIST" (in-
cluding the space), and Superfile had ac-
cepted this, although the final "T" had
then been dropped, producing a file
named "MAIL LIS" (still with a space).
Any subsequent attempt to read, print,
rename, or even erase the file then simply
resulted in the message "MAIL?" or "NO
FILE," since CP/M saw the space as mark-
ing the end of the filename and was look-
ing for a file called "MAIL." Since we did
not have DU (disk utility) or any similar
program on a disk of the right format, the
only thing I could think of was to make
sure all the other files on the disk had a
file type in their names, do "ERA *" to
get rid of this otherwise inaccessible file
(fortunately it was the index file rather
than one of the input files), then run
Superfile again on the original files.

You might like to make your readers
(and FYI Inc., if it doesn't already know)
aware of this additional problem.
Alan Beagley
322 Birdwood Terrace
Toowong, Queensland
4066, Australia

I wonder how many other programs there

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And then

there
were none.

The list of already extinct animals
grows . . . the great auk, the Texas gray
wolf, the Badlands bighorn, the sea mink,
the passenger pigeon . . .

What happens if civilization
continues to slowly choke out wildlife
species by species?

Man cannot live on a planet unfit for
animals.

Join an organization that's doing
something about preserving our
endangered species. Get involved. Write
the [National Wildlife Federation,

Department 105, 1412 16th
S Street, NW. Washington,

HW DC 20036-

It's not too late.

508 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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User to User.

are that allow illegal filenames? Microsoft
BASIC will allow you to give a lowercase file-
name; that can't be accessed, renamed, or
erased from within CP/M, but at least BASIC
can get at it. It's simple enough to write a
function that will check to see if a filename
is legal, but alas, many programmers don't do
that. It's especially important to check this
when your program has utilities that allow
renaming a file.

DU, Spat, and other such programs will
allow recovery from such errors. They're avail-
able from Workman and Associates of Pasa-
dena, California, or the CP/M user group.
. . . Jerry

Software Disasters

Dear Jerry,

I am writing this to give you a little am-
munition, I hope, to try to get something
done about the terrible situation regard-
ing software for microcomputers that has
developed just in the past year, as far as
I know. I am referring to the several li-
censing absurdities you have written
about recently, and other concerns. First,
the usual absence of clear statements
regarding exactly what other software and
peripherals a given program will work
with. Second, the (illegal) disavowal or
disclaimer of responsibility to correct
bugs, even if they render the program
totally unrunnable. And third, the refusal
to publish or otherwise release source
code that is required for other companies
to create or update their own products
that were designed to run with the first-
mentioned software.

Since March I have paid $450 or more
for software, all of which was advertised in
BYTE, none of which I can use. I have to
blame myself somewhat for lacking the
patience in all cases to ascertain what a
given program will do and run with. But
then, I don't have the time to do very
much of this, and waiting for gaudy and
optimistically worded advertising
brochures to be sent on my request is very
often an exercise in futility.

I suggest several solutions. First, the
legal solution would require that every
piece of software sold commercially have
explicit statements about what environ-
ment it will run under and also state the
known environments that it will not run
under, given the context under which it
was bought. Second, the computerized
bulletin-board systems that are now com-
mon throughout the country could be
used to spread information about specific

products to point out those programs
with bugs or those that will not run with
whatever. Third, BYTE could maintain a
file of comments on commercial software
products that it could sell, for a nominal
profit, without necessarily claiming accu-
racy for the specific comments.
Mark A. Melton
5329 Rex Ave.
San Diego, CA 92105

The problem is important, and it won't just
go away. However, I don't believe that what
we need is additional regulations or laws; the
result of that would be to stifle the computer
industry. In particular, regulations keep the
small entrepreneur from entering the market
at all, since he can't afford the lawyers and
contract-compliance officers to deal with a
highly regulatory environment. We could use
some common sense all around: buyers, dis-
tributors, publishers, and advertisers.

Alas, the fact that a product is advertised
in BYTE, or any other magazine, is no
guarantee that it works— or indeed that it will
be delivered on time. Magazines operate under
severe restraints; they can't refuse adver-
tisements without being prepared to do some
heavy legal slugging. As long as the adver-
tiser pays the bills, and isn't under some kind
of court judgment, it's very hard for a
magazine to turn down an ad. I know for a
fact that the BYTE editorial people would
prefer that certain advertisers would get mad
and go away, so we wouldn't have to answer
all the angry mail we get about the products.

Incidentally, I have never, in the years I
have written for BYTE, had any interference
from the editorial staff regarding the opinions
I express, regardless of whether I'm discuss-
ing a heavy advertiser or three lads and lassies
working in a garage. The only suggestions I've
ever been given have been "I think the readers
might like to see more about" certain ma-
chines.

Let me drive it home: "Advertised in BYTE"
does not imply the approval of BYTE's editors,
staff, or columnists.

Some principles: first, if something sounds
too good to be true, it probably is. If it's not,
independent reviewers will tell you soon
enough. If you can't wait for the reviews, you
may be lucky, but you may also be stung.

Second, there are distributors— certain
stores, selected mail-order software houses,
some systems consultants— with a reputation
for honest dealing, including full refunds if
the customer isn't satisfied. Those outfits
simply cannot operate on the same markup as
the heavy discounters do. If you plan to buy
an unfamiliar product, or a product that's not
known to work on your system, then you'd

probably do better to pay a higher price and
deal with someone you know. If you don't
know who the good guys are, it's not too hard
to find out; the word gets around.

I agree there's a problem; indeed, it's one
reason I write this column. I like these little
machines, and I don't like to see anyone get
stung. . . . Jerry

Abnormal Warranty

Dear Jerry,

Those absurd software disclaimers that
you detest can now be found on hard-
ware: last week, I purchased a joystick for
a video game. One model had "2-year
warranty" in bold letters on the box. I
chose that one. After I arrived home, I
read the warranty and encountered one
of the silliest and most meaningless dis-
claimers yet: "This warranty applies only
if your joystick is used in a normal
fashion, prescribed by the instructions for
your video-game console. It is void if the
joystick is abused, tampered with, used
unreasonably, or fails as a result of nor-
mal wear."

If it doesn't cover failure "as a result of
normal wear," what does it cover? First
they say that the warranty applies only
if the product is used in a "normal
fashion," and then they disclaim that
statement. I am beginning to appreciate
Digital Research's disclaimers. At least
they are unambiguous.
Robert Swirsky
412 Arbuckle Ave.
Cedarhurst, NY 11516

Alas, the age of chivalry is dead. We have
entered the age of sophisters, calculators,
economists, and lawyers, and the glory of
America is extinguished. . . (with some apol-
ogies to Edmund Burke). . . . Jerry

No Insults Intended

Dear Jerry,

I have been reading your column for
several years. I was extremely insulted by
a comment in "Zenith Z-100, Epson QX-10,
Software Licensing, and the Software
Piracy Problem" (June, page 411): Snap-
shot's "easy to install: a 16-year-old did
ours. . . ." I'm 16 years old and know my
way through electronics and my Apple.
There are many BYTE readers in my age
group, and many of my friends are also
computer nuts. Something is very wrong

510 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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User to User,

if the standard for ease of installation is
whether a 16-year-old can do it. I built a
digital music synthesizer and interfaced
it to my Apple. You may say in your
report of the West Coast Computer Faire
(June, page 306) about the Hero robot that
your kit-building days are long gone, but
mine aren't.
Adam Dershowitz
2 Tudor City
New York, NY 10017

Without intending insult, may I suggest
you're not an entirely representative 16-year-
old? One must have a few milestones in mak-
ing comparisons, lest we all flounder in a sea
of relative concepts. In another place I men-
tioned that Osborne Starter-Pack could be used
by Boy Scouts; surely no one believes I in-
tended to insult the BSA? . . . Jerry

Dear Jerry,

I am embarassed for both you and Voli-
tion systems. Please do not refer to com-
petent software engineers as "hackers" in
print again. Had you not made it clear in
the first paragraph of your article
("Ulterior Motives, Lobo, Buying Your
First Computer, JRT Update," May, page
298) that you were using an unusual
meaning for the word "hacker," I might
have concluded that Volition sold
untested, undocumented products.

There is a subtlety in the meaning of
the term "hacker" that has not been prop-
erly communicated to you (for the defini-
tive explanation of what a hacker is, I refer
you to Psychology of Computer Programming
by G. M. Weinberg). A hacker is not only
talented; he is also undisciplined. He is
addicted, not to the field of software
development as a serious profession, but
to the implementation of code (and cod-
ing is a surprisingly small part of profes-
sional software development).

The hacker makes programs that work;
this does not mean he writes programs
that are good. Two examples of the dif-
ference between working and good pro-
grams are: a good program is well docu-
mented (hackers don't document) and a
good program has been tested and
proved to work with all kinds of er-
roneous entries (hacker programs tend to
fail catastrophically if you give them bad
data).

To put it another way: if you want a
pretty painting or a fast-paced video
game, get an artist or a hacker. But if you
want a solid bridge or a powerful
Modula-2 compiler, get a mechanical

engineer or a software engineer.

I've made my point, but let me give you
an analogy in the realm of science fiction:
suppose you were a not-yet-famous
author, and a distinguished reviewer
referred to you in a distinguished publica-
tion as an "amusing writer of sci-fi." This
is roughly comparable to Volition being
reviewed by Jerry Pournelle in BYTE as
a "nice bunch of hackers."
Marc Stiegler
132 Laurel Way #2B
Herndon, VA 22070

Alas, despite your embarrassment, there is
no universal agreement on what is meant by
a computer "hacker." I assure you that very
highly professional programmers often refer to
themselves as hackers and do so with some
pride. Weinberg's is but one of a number of at-
tempts to define this elusive word.

Moreover, there may be times when what
one wants is a hacker even in your sense of
the word. A well-known and wealthy writer,
having become enamored of my first computer
(Ezekial, RIP), decided that he could do much
better. He went off to get a contract for a book
about using computers. With the advance, he
engaged a firm of consulting engineers to build
him a system. He gave them few-to-no finan-
cial restrictions, and at last count he not only
didn't have a working computer, he was forced
to use his typewriter to write his computer
book. (Sometimes it may be better to have it
Wednesday than perfect.) In any event, let me
assure you that the troops at Volition are
thoroughly professional, and I intended no in-
sult to them.

Your final paragraph refers to Harlan
Ellison's well-known campaign to extirpate the
term "sci-fi." It's true that use of the phrase
marks one as unfamiliar with the customs of
organized science-fiction fandom, and indeed
some writers do resent it; but most of us take
it in stride. As for my tales, I hope they're
found entertaining, although not all are in-
tended to be amusing. . . . Jerry

CP/M vs. TRSDOS

Dear Jerry,

Some general thoughts on CP/M: I use
the TRSDOS operating system that came
with my Model II about two years ago.
The first thing I noticed was the 'DIR'
command— TRSDOS is much better. An-
other difference is its printer interface.
CP/M could learn from the TRSDOS
'FORMS' command. You can still use the
printer, but not as conveniently. If you
forget to turn on the printer, CP/M hangs

up. TRSDOS gives you the 'Printer Not
Ready' prompt. For disk files, TRSDOS
could find a file no matter what disk drive
it was on; CP/M requires that you specify
the drive in your command. Also, if you
accidentally call out a disk drive with no
disk in it, CP/M hangs up, requiring a
reboot. TRSDOS simply tells you 'Disk
Drive Not Ready.'

I have more to learn about CP/M, but
from here, it does not stack up to
TRSDOS. If there is any significant speed
difference, if hasn't affected me yet. I
don't see why Radio Shack doesn't
capitalize on its excellent operating system
and expand its available software.
Bruce M. Beatty
1218-B Tom Hunter Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28213

The fault, alas, is not in your CP/M but
in your CBIOS. (Customized Basic Input/
Output System is the software that tells CP/M
what kind of computer it's working with.)
We've had recovery from "Drive Not Ready"
since we began using CP/M 1.4. For those
with Z80 systems, there's also ZCPR, a
replacement for the Command Processor in
CP/M; this has the "search all disks for file"
feature you like, plus a number of others.
(ZCPR is public domain; there's a lot of
documentation. It's available from Workman
and Associates, or through one or another of
the CP/M user clubs.) Finally, there's CP/M
Plus, which is just gaining popularity; it has
many features the older CP/M didn't.

The TRSDOS you see is greatly changed
from the early versions which so exasperated
TRS-80 Model I users. Even with fixes, there
was never a version of TRSDOS that I pre-
ferred to CP/M, if for no other reason than
that, for better or worse, CP/M became the de
facto standard for the micro world and made
for widespread distribution of programs— and
thus heavy investment in program construc-
tion and documentation.

I'll even hazard the prediction that one or
another form of CP/M (probably Concurrent
CP/M-86) will continue to be the de facto stan-
dard as the micro world grows up. . . . Jerry

IBM's Keyboard Best

Dear Jerry,

There is one bit of critisism that I must
share. I own an IBM Personal Computer,
with the IBM keyboard. I like the IBM
keyboard. It has great feel and is a
pleasure to use. I realize that it is not a
standard keyboard (what is a standard
keyboard?), but the time necessary to use

512 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Lyco Computer Marketing & Consultants

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POLICY

In-stock items shipped within 24 hours of order. Personal
checks require four weeks clearance before shipping. No
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Circle 273 on Inquiry card.

User to User.

it is well worth the effort. I have yet to
work with a keyboard that did not require
some adaptation by the user (Televideo
and DEC keyboards require a tremen-
dous amount of user flexibility).
Scott Wentzka
9875 Northwest 16th St.
Coral Springs, FL 33065

You are not alone in defending the IBM PC
keyboard. It's obvious that my dislike of the
keyboard hasn't precisely ruined IBM's sales:
I'm still waiting for the PC I ordered months
ago!

I remain unrepentant, though: the IBM
Selectric Typewriter was the standard key-
board for most of the potential computer users
in the world. True, those who never learned
touch-typing can adjust to most anything, but
why did IBM have to make things complicated
for those of us who'd already learned the Selec-
tric? Fortunately, it's now possible to repro-
gram the whole keyboard, so that one needs
only a source ofkeytops to customize properly;
the issue is rapidly becoming moot. . . . Jerry

Bootstrap Solution

Dear Jerry,

This is in response to comments in your
July User's Column about moving pro-
grams from one computer to another.

I am writing this on an Epson QX-10,
which we have had for about three
months. One reason we decided on the
QX-10 was that, even if Valdocs did not
work out, we would still have access to
the great body of CP/M programs. Unfor-
tunately, we found out that we were
wrong because no other programs were
available on Epson-format disks.

It is very little help to be able to transfer
programs from machine to machine
because I have no other CP/M machine,
nor do I have CP/M programs. In fact, it
is the CP/M programs I wish to obtain.

Of course, it is likely that I could find
someone locally who also has a CP/M
machine. If that person also has the stan-
dard 8-inch CP/M disks, I could send
away for the CPMUG disks, then copy
those programs to the Epson. If, however,
the other person does not have the stan-
dard 8-inch CP/M disks, we are both back
to where I started.

What is really needed is a way for a new
CP/M user to access the various com-
puterized bulletin-board systems (CBBS)
that have CP/M software. Naturally, if the
user had the MODEM7 program, access
by modem would be fairly easy. Unfor-

tunately, MODEM7 is itself a CP/M pro-
gram, which the new CP/M user will not
have.

Therefore, what is really needed is: a
"bootstrap" program, a tiny program that
is easily implemented on a bare-bones
machine, which will download a full-
blown CP/M loader program from a CBBS
that uses the bootstrap protocol. The
bootstrap itself should be made extremely
simple for easiest implementation (it may
be used once per system, then never used
again). It should be described in multi-
ple languages; BASIC would probably be
easiest, although some CP/M systems
may not have BASIC, so the bootstrap
should also be available as an assembly-
language listing. The bootstrap format
could be quite slow, since it should allow
BASIC implementation and it would only
be used once.

The existence of such a program would
not, of course, solve all of the problems
involved in getting access to CP/M public-
domain software. First-time users may
have to be inducted into the mysteries of
assembly language, but achieving a work-
ing program can be done without under-
standing, if the program has been fully
developed and the process of entering the
program is described explicitly. In addi-
tion, the various concepts of ports,
modems, and RS-232C connections and
cables would have to be addressed. Also,
there would be the little matter of phone
numbers for the appropriate CBBS. But
this information can be transferred on
paper, in a book or an article, and would
allow new CP/M users access to public-
domain software.

This approach could be more help to
the new CP/M user than The Transporter.
Terry Ritter
2609 Choctaw Trail
Austin, TX 78745

The Transporter (reviewed in fuly, page
323) was designed to solve the problem of get-
ting the first program— such as MODEM7—
across to neiv machines.

A second problem involves ethics and good
sense. A number of people have been kind
enough to write some excellent CP/M pro-
grams and put them in the public domain—
which is to say, to give them away. Having
done that, they naturally feel little obligation
to support the programs or transfer them to
new machines and formats.

On the other hand, when someone does
take the trouble to improve program documen-
tation and transfer public-domain programs
to new formats, that person is sometimes at-

tacked as a pirate or thief for charging for this
service. Usually the attack comes from some
outsider, but once in a while it will come from
the original program author. This leaves lit-
tle incentive for anyone to collect public-
domain software, test it, and distribute it on
new formats.

Incidentally, much of what you describe
already exists on one or another public com-
puter bulletin-board system. Finding out
which ones have what takes a fair amount of
work, of course, and the connect time for
transferring long files can be lengthy. As an
example, ZCPR, the improved Z80 Command
Processor for CP/M, takes up about 15 disks
and many hours to transfer by telephone.

If anyone has— or wants to write— the pro-
grams you described, I'll be pleased to review
them. In the meantime, I talked Barry
Workman into putting up a number of his
CP/M utilities into Epson QX-10 format so 1
could use them; he sells them at reasonable
prices. Many, but not all, are public
domain. . . . JerryH

ferry Poumelle welcomes readers' com-
ments and opinions. Send a self-addressed
envelope to ferry Pournelle, c/o BYTE
Publications, POB 372, Hancock, NH
03449. Please put your address on the let-
ter as well as on the envelope. Due to the
high volume of letters, ferry cannot
guarantee a personal reply.

BYTEs Bugs

Line Change

Dean Brown of Alderwood Manor,
Washington, spotted a bug in James
Folts's "Cross-Reference Utility for IBM
PC BASIC Programs" (August, page 378).
The program will work properly with
programs having 5-digit line numbers if
line 6050 is changed from

LABEL$(LABEL.NUMBER) = SPACE$(5)

to

LABEL$(LABEL. NUMBER) = SPACE$(6)

Brown explains, "This change is neces-
sary because the STR$(val) function used
in line 6060 prefixes positive numbers
with a blank, thus requiring the field
length to be one greater than the length
of the line number to be displayed ."■

514 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

$150

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Why are we giving away so much? It's our way of introducing you to the versatile P Series color
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graphs and texts. It delivers a full page of text quality print in nothing flat while its feeder automat-
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appropriate line with crisp, sharp copy, even if it has to hyphenate.

Priced at $499, the autosheet feeder eliminates the need for manually fed paper, and has the
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up to 250 sheets of 15 lb. or 200 sheets of 20 lb. 8V2" wide paper, including bond, offset and
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BYTE December 1983

515

wm

<m^ m

I 9& *

l ,..

A/"bSW»

mmmim

ERE, OUT THERE,
ABEST-SEIXING PROGRAM

WHERE IS rr?

Wherever it is, we want it. Maybe, just maybe, we're
searching for your program, but we'll never find it
unless you call us.

It has to be good, though. Because we're the
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the very best microcomputer programs for packaging
and distribution under the Softsmith"" label. Hundreds
of titles have already been licensed to the Softsmith
library. But they're only the beginning. Our goal is to
have the best program in major categories on every

516 BYTE December 1983

popular machine. Of course, we can't do it without you.

If you're a program author or publisher, The
Software Guild offers some distinct professional and
monetary advantages.

First, you devote your time to what you do best:
programming. You can leave the manufacturing,
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service to us.

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■-■ ■ •..-*-- 1 :i» j... ■■-.■*!"

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r «

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laf ■

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L

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"i<\

Third, is royalties. Wider distribution means more
substantial royalties. And, your Software Guild
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Fourth is flexibility. We do not insist on the
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We know you're out there, working and dream-
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Our full staff of professional evaluators are waiting to
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So call us, wherever you are.

Contact Regina Roberts at (4 1 5) 487- 5 2 00.

Or write:

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The Software Guild"

(415)487-5200

BYTE December 1983 517

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Circle 326 on inquiry card.

The User Looks at Books

The best and the worst books on CP/M, Pascal, C, and Ada

When I first got started using
microcomputers, back in the dark
ages of the 70s, there was a simple
solution to the computer-book prob-
lem: you bought every book on
microcomputers as soon as it was
published. You wouldn't go bank-
rupt, even though the books were
overpriced, because there weren't
very many.

I used to include book reviews in
the User's Column. Now there's no
room, but we get a lot of letters ask-
ing for more book reviews. Mean-
while, four cubic feet of unreviewed
books lie scattered on shelves
throughout Chaos Manor. I've there-
fore struck a deal with BYTE: I'll do
an occasional special roundup on
books.

CP/M Books

The CP/M manuals put out by
Digital Research are notoriously poor.
This particularly upset my late mad
friend. "First they translated them
into Swahili," he said. "But what
made me really mad was when they
encrypted the translation." Digital
has since made great strides toward
reforming its document foundry;
however, for many years the com-
pany simply couldn't produce a read-
able document. The result was a
spate of books to teach you how to
use CP/M.

One of the earliest of these was The
CP/M Handbook with MP/M by Rod-
nay Zaks. It's still readable, and much
better than the Digital manuals;
Zaks's book can serve quite well as an
introduction for beginners just learn-
ing to use the CP/M operating sys-

by Jerry Pournelle

tern. It spends rather too much time
on ED, the nearly unusable text
editor that comes free with CP/M,
and rather too little time discussing
the difference between logical and
physical devices, but all in all it gets
the basic job done.

Another good introduction that
begins at a very low level is Thorn
Hogan's Osborne CP/M User Guide.
Like the Zaks book, Hogan assumes
the reader begins with no knowledge
beyond the ability to turn the com-
puter on. Both explain what disks are
and the difference between disk stor-
age and memory. I find that I prefer
Hogan's organization and style to
Zaks's, but I'm not sure which is best
for beginners.

Alas, both of these books suffer
from the same defect: they become
more obscure just as they get inter-
esting. For example, it's possible
under CP/M to have your computer
run a series of programs on startup.
Zeke II, the machine I'm writing this
on, goes through memory checks,
displays disk directories, and formats
the "memory disk," after which it
calls in the text editor; all this hap-
pens automatically on reset. Both
Zaks and Hogan tell you how to
make your machines do that, but it
sure would be difficult without an-
other source of information. You can
puzzle out how from their text, but
you'll curse the author before you're
done.

The Hogan book is more complete,
and if you're willing to learn some-
thing about CP/M it will teach you
more; the Zaks book is a better "cook-
book" for just getting the job done.

If you're really interested in learn-
ing about CP/M, Jack D. Dennon's
CP/M Revealed is your best bet after
you've done the introductory work.
Dennon's organization is rather poor.
He begins with baby talk but quick-
ly gives advanced material. For all
that, his book is unique and invalu-
able for those willing to invest the
time in understanding it. You'd do
well to buy Hogan's book at the same
time you get Dennon's, though;
you'll need both.

CP/M Revealed assumes you want to
know something about assembly-lan-
guage programming, at least enough
to be able to write and assemble sim-
ple programs. It thus starts you with
simple programs, such as Hello, and
quickly goes on from there. Before
the book is done, you've been shown
how to merge files, assemble them,
do random-access file management,
make BDOS (basic disk operating
system) calls, and even recover erased
files. These are all valuable exercises.
However, you have to do the work;
there's not much point in getting
Dennon's book just to read. I sure
wish someone would put out a disk
with Dennon's programs already
typed in, so that you merely need to
assemble them.

Finally, there's Mark Dahmke's
Microcomputer Operating Systems. This
is an advanced book about small
computers in general, rather than a
book about CP/M. If you're interested
in what's going on in your machine
and why programmers tend to do
things in certain ways, this book is
enlightening. Like the Dennon book
though, it's not required reading.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

519

Whatever you get, though, get a
copy of the CP/M Diskguide by Curtis
Ingraham. This is one of a series of
small-format handbooks put out by
Osborne/McGraw-Hill, and it's an ex-
cellent ready reference. It won't teach
you anything you didn't know, but
that's not its purpose. What it does
do is list just about every useful com-
mand CP/M recognizes. Along with
the commands, the book gives a terse
but accurate description of what each
command does. I find I use it all the
time, since I tend to forget the precise
format for the various options you
can give STAT and PIP, and I sure
don't remember the memory map for
my system. All that and more is in
this useful little book.

Another very useful tool is The
User's Guide to CP/M Systems and Soft-
ware, and no, I didn't write it. Given
the way people trademark things, I
wouldn't be surprised to find some-
one trying to trademark "User"; fair
warning, I got here first.

The User's Guide is somewhere be-
tween a magazine and a book. It
looks like a magazine and is sold in
issues, both in stores and by sub-
scriptions, but the contents are more
book-like. A great deal of the User's
Guide is written by Tony Bove and
Cheryl Rhodes; they have the knack
of explaining CP/M programs very
well indeed.

The User's Guide seems to have
grown out of Datacast, which was a
Jim Warren publication edited by
Bove and Rhodes; it, too, had a lot
of easy-to-understand instructions
and shared their propensity for clas-
sical artwork on the covers.

A typical User's Guide contains ar-
ticles on how to use Wordstar and
Supercalc, overviews of particular im-
plementations and installations of
Wordstar, and a general article on
CP/M. Naturally, each issue is dif-
ferent. So far I haven't found one that
wasn't worth more than what it costs.
Recommended.

Pascal Books

There are about a zillion books on
Pascal. I can't possibly review them
all, and I'm sure to leave out some-
one's favorite. Apologies in advance.

One book I do not recommend is

David Heiserman's Pascal, published
by Tab Books. If you have a TRS-80
with cassette and no disks, and
through some misguided chance
you've acquired Supersoft Tiny
Pascal, the book may be useful; but
if you don't, it isn't. I really cannot
recommend that you spend much
time with Tiny Pascal anyway, and
systems without disk drives belong
in the dark ages. Trying to learn a
language using a cassette is a sure-
fire way to get discouraged and give
it up as a bad job.

Heiserman's book suffers from the
generic problems of all Tab books:
sloppy editing, tiny margins, un-
aesthetic print and layout, and all-
around carelessness. As an example,
he states:

WRITE('HELLO', 'THERE','.
HOW ARE YOU?');

with the expectation that it will print
"HELLO THERE. HOW ARE YOU?"
but of course it won't, for there is no
space between HELLO and THERE.
Trivial but infuriating slop like this
seems characteristic of just about
every Tab book I've seen.

Slightly better is Ronald Ander-
son's From BASIC to Pascal, but it, too,
suffers from the Tab syndrome, and
the examples are reproduced from a
dot-matrix printer; they're very hard
to read. The book purports to tell
BASIC programmers how to switch
over to Pascal, but I'd hate to have to
rely on it as my guide.

Another book I don't recommend
is Kenneth Bowles's Microcomputing
Problem Solving Using Pascal, which is
the standard textbook at UCSD—
possibly because the professor who
teaches Pascal is named Kenneth
Bowles. I've attempted to read this
book, and it's impossibly opaque. It's
also done in typewriter script, mak-
ing it physically as well as intellec-
tually difficult to read.

Two more I can't say I care much
for: Rodnay Zaks's Introduction to
Pascal and A Primer on Pascal by
Richard Conway, David Gries, and E.
Carl Zimmerman. Zaks's book isn't
all that bad, and it does go into some
pretty complicated concepts before
it's done; it is certainly more pleasant

to read than the book by Conway et
al. You could live with Zaks, and if
there's nothing better conveniently at
hand, you could learn the language
from it; certainly I'd prefer it to the
Primer or either of the Tab books.
There are, however, better introduc-
tory texts.

The book I learned with is Peter
Grogono's Programming in Pascal. It
begins at elementary levels and goes
into progressively more complex sub-
jects. I very much like his Pascal style
and program layout, and his discus-
sion of records and event rings is the
best I've seen in any book. It's not
really a beginning text, but if you're
familiar with programming in gen-
eral, Grogono's book is very good for
those who want to learn Pascal as an
additional language. However, there's
no mention of CP/M or microcom-
puters. Grogono can teach generic
Pascal, but you'll still need a guide to
your particular implementation.

Our current favorite beginner's text
is A First Course in Computer Program-
ming Using Pascal by Andrew M.
Keller. This book isn't complete in
that there's not an adequate discus-
sion of records and pointers, but this
book and Grogono's combined can
teach you to write practical programs
without too many tears. (On price
alone, the Zaks book may be the way
to go: one book instead of two. How-
ever, I don't think Zaks's is as good
an introduction as Keller's, and isn't
as complete on complex issues as
Grogono.)

For Apple users there's Elliot B.
Koffman's Pascal—A Problem Solving
Approach, which is intended as a col-
legiate-level text and goes up to rela-
tively complicated programs. Not as
general as the Keller/Grogono com-
bination, it is adequate for learning
a lot about UCSD Pascal, and some
may prefer Koffman's style. There are
a lot of examples and problems, with
answers in the back of the book. For
reasons I don't understand, this
book, like many Pascal textbooks,
gives program examples all in upper-
case. This encourages what is, in my
judgment, bad programming style. I
think programs are much more read-
able if uppercase is used for reserved
words, such as BEGIN and END, and

520 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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©VOTRAX 1982

Circle 449 on inquiry card

most of the program is written in
lowercase letters.

One book I've liked a lot was Doing
Business with Pascal by Richard and
Douglas Hergert. It's not a beginner's
book, but it would do as a follow-up
after Keller, and it offers a great num-
ber of practical business programs.
Any small business owner faced with
writing programs, or trying to under-
stand programs written for the busi-
ness, would do well to read this
book. It's mostly for UCSD Pascal,
but the authors admit there are other
implementations. At least it's micro-
oriented.

Another, perhaps even better, is
Pascal Programs for Business by Tom
Swan. This book has chapters on
word processing as well as business
subjects. There are a lot of interesting
programs; I can't testify that they'll
work, but they look good to me, and
they're well structured. Kernighan
and Plauger have repeatedly stated
that one of the best ways to learn pro-
gramming is to read well-designed
programs; Swan offers that opportu-
nity. Some are so interesting that I in-
tend to key them in Real Soon Now.

The Osborne/McGraw-Hill people
have translated their two books, Prac-
tical BASIC Programs and Some Com-
mon BASIC Programs, into Pascal and
put them out as, unsurprisingly, Prac-
tical Pascal Programs and Some Com-
mon Pascal Programs. You cannot use

them as simple cookbooks because,
alas, Pascal implementations differ a
lot on how they do input/output and
file management. Different machines
and implementations require non-
trivial modifications of the programs
given in the books, and if you don't
know something about the Pascal im-
plementation you're using, you'll
never get these programs to run on
your machine.

On the other hand, provided you
know something of Pascal, there are
some really practical programs in
these books. When I needed a matrix
inverter, I found it in Common, and
I've used the Bayesian decision-anal-
ysis program from Practical. I warn
you again, you need to know what
you're doing; these books make lit-
tle concession to readers not familiar
with their subject matter; there's no
explanation of what matrix inversion
means, and darned little about
Bayes's theory of inductive reasoning.
However, if you do know what you're
doing, having these programs as
models can sure save you a lot of
time.

Finally, there's Softivare Tools in
Pascal by Brian W. Kernighan and P. J.
Plauger. Their original Software Tools
(FORTRAN and RATFOR) used to be
required reading for anyone seriously
studying software engineering. This
is a translation of their classic work
into Pascal.

Kernighan and Plauger present an
amazing variety of programs, many
of which "cascade," in that later pro-
grams call in earlier ones as sub-
programs. Their "software tools"
have thus become famous. It isn't so
much the programs themselves;
there are now better programs to do
the jobs, such as text editing, that
those programs were supposed to ac-
complish. The value of the books and
programs is in teaching, by example,
just what structured programming is
all about.

Alas, Software Tools in Pascal was
written for Pascal implementations
running on machines a good bit
larger than any BYTE readers are
likely to have at home. It takes a lot
of translation to get the "tools" run-
ning on a microcomputer. Unless you
actually experiment with the pro-
grams, though, a good bit of the
value of the book is lost.

I found that out some time ago and
set my son Alex to doing something
about it. The result was his own book
and program disk. Using Pascal/M
from Sorcim and Pascal MT+ from
Digital Research as the two imple-
mentations of choice, he translated
the introductory building blocks of
Software Tools so that they will now
run on most microcomputers. The
disk comes with considerable docu-
mentation, including the best exposi-
tion of what Pascal error messages

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R T L

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structured dictionary. Names, code, and vari-
ables are all stored in separate areas for easy
generation of headerless, romable code. All
code is relocatable. RTL supports local vari-
ables, multitasking, redirected I/O, and even
allows definitions to be changed retroactively.
All source code is included. Versions are cur-
rently available or under development for
68000, 6809, 8080, 280, 8086. 8088. and
6502.

RTL Programming Aids

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Remarkably, the new $539 Transtar 120 Is
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mean and what is likely to have
caused the error, that I have seen yet
in any of these texts.

If you want to learn Pascal, you
could do worse than make a package
deal: MT+ Compiler; three books:
Keller, Grogono, and the Kernighan
and Plauger; and Alexander
Pournelle's A Primer on Pascal for
CP/M Systems.

C Language Books

There aren't so many books on the
C language yet, but given time I'm
sure there will be. A good way to find
out if you will like C is to read the
August 1983 issue of BYTE.

Not long ago, the only way to learn
C was from Brian W. Kernighan and
Dennis M. Ritchie, The C Program-
ming Language. Now there are better
introductory books, but Kernighan
and Ritchie is still the standard, and
since Kernighan was the principal
author of the C language, he can
speak with some authority when he
writes about it.

The book is a bit terse. It definitely
assumes you know something about

computers and programming. It was
also written under the assumption
that you're working with a system
using the Unix operating system. On
the other hand, there's a good tutorial
guide that is invaluable provided you
can make the proper changes so that
the tutorial programs can run under
your particular implementation.

You can learn the C language with-
out getting Kernighan and Ritchie,
but that's doing it the hard way.
You're also working too hard if you
make it the only book on C that you
buy.

Two better introductory books are
Thomas Plum's Learning to Program in
C and Jack Purdum's C Programming
Guide. I'd rate Plum's book slightly
better for beginners, but if you al-
ready know something about pro-
gramming, Purdum's is more com-
plete and often gives comparisons of
how BASIC and C would handle the
same problem. You don't need both.

Ada Books

Despite some disagreement from a
few readers, I continue in my belief

that learning Ada is the best long-
term job insurance a programmer can
have. Ada is, of course, the new lan-
guage to be supported by the Depart-
ment of Defense (DOD). It's full of
bells and whistles and special fea-
tures; its major strength is that, like
Modula II, it is designed to allow co-
processing, which is to say, to let
computers do more than one part of
a task at the same time.

There's a very good history of Ada
in Software Engineering with Ada by
Grady Booch. This is, at first, an in-
furiating book; it addresses impor-
tant questions, such as the crisis in
software, in terms that I had a nega-
tive response to. If that happens to
you, ignore it, and read on. Booch
has a lot to say, and it's important. In-
deed, as his book title indicates, the
book is as much about software engi-
neering, and a philosophy of soft-
ware design, as it is about the Ada
language. Part of the book is really
heavy slogging; I found myself read-
ing some pages more than once. Like
me, Booch has strong opinions, and
I guarantee he'll irritate some readers.

EVTE

zback issues for sale

1976

1977

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1983

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Circle and send requests with payment to:
BYTE Back Issues
P.O. Box 328
Hancock, NH 03449

Please allow 4 weeks for domestic delivery
and 8 weeks for foreign delivery.

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address

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The above prices include postage in the US.
Please add $.50 per copy for Canada and
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524 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Compilers From Whitesmiths, Ltd*
Are Earning Top Grades*

^ ^ <^

For users of PDP-11, VAX, MC68000, 8080, or 8086 CPUs, Whitesmiths' C Compilers
are quite a step above average.

COMPILERS FROM WHITESMITHS, LTD.
OFFER:

• THE HIGHEST PORTABILITY through
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• EASE OF APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT.

The whitesmiths field-proven Pascal and C
Compiler ( with cross support option ) is portable,
compatible and reliable. The compilers are not
only portable, but also compatible with most of
the popular operating systems and machine
architectures. The C Compiler is a FULL IM-
PLEMENTATION OF KERNIGHAN & RITCHIE'S

C LANGUAGE STANDARD. Pascal conforms to
the ISO Standard Level 0. Portability is achieved
as a result of an identical preprocessor, parser,
and C Portable Library for each compiler. (The
C Portable Library contains string manipulation
functions and extensive I O formatting support.)
The reliability of the compilers is a product of
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Software application developers achieve ease
of development through simply having
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The C Compilers are $550. Each Cross Support
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The Authorization Seal provides ease of licens-
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To find out how you can make our compilers
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UNIX i?> ;i trademark of Bell Laboratories; PDP-11 and VAX are trademarks tit Digital Equipment CtHporaiian; MC6H000 is a trademark of Motorola inc.
Ptafffeffi^.AittttaHa.Fa^

Circle 456 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 525

Books Reviewed

Anderson, Ronald W. From BASIC to Pascal (Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books,
1982).

Booch, Grady. Software Engineering with Ada (Menlo Park, CA: Benjamin/Cum-
mings Publishing Co., 1983).

Bove, Tony and Cheryl Rhodes, eds. User's Guide to CP/M Systems and Software (Stan-
ford, CA: TUG Inc.(POB 3050)).

Bowles, Kenneth L. Microcomputing Problem Solving Using Pascal (New York:
Springer-Verlag, 1977).

Conway, Richard, David Gries, and E. Carl Zimmerman. A Primer on Pascal, 3rd
ed. (Cambridge, MA: Winthrop Publishers, 1976).

Dahmke, Mark. Microcomputer Operating Systems (Peterborough, NH: BYTE Books,
1982).

Davidson, Greg. Practical Pascal Programs (Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-Hill,
1982).

Dennon, Jack D. CP/M Revealed (Rochelle Park, NJ: Hayden Publishing Corp., 1982).

Gehani, Narain. Ada: An Advanced Introduction (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-
Hall, 1983).

Grogono, Peter. Programming in Pascal, revised ed. (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley,
1980).

Heiserman, David L. Pascal (Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books, 1980).

Hergert, Richard and Douglas Hergert. Doing Business with Pascal (Berkeley, CA:
Sybex, 1983).

Hogan, Thorn. Osborne CP/M User Guide, 2nd ed. (Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-
Hill, 1982).

Ingraham, Curtis A. CP/M Diskguide (Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1983).

Keller, Arthur M. A First Course in Computer Programming Using Pascal (New York:
McGraw-Hill, 1983).

Kernighan, Brian W. and P. J. Plauger. Software Tools (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley,
1976).

Kernighan, Brian W. and P. J. Plauger. Software Tools in Pascal (Reading, MA:
Addison-Wesley, 1981).

Kernighan, Brian W. and Dennis M. Ritchie. The C Programming Language
(Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1978).

Koffman, Elliot B. Pascal— A Problem Solving Approach (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley
Microbooks Popular Series, 1982).

Plum, Thomas. Learning to Program in C (Cardiff, NJ: Plum Hall Inc., 1983).

Poole, Lon, Mary Borchers, and Greg Davidson. Some Common Pascal Programs
(Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1982).

Pournelle, Alexander. A Primer on Pascal for CP/M Systems (Pasadena, CA: Workman
and Associates (112 Marion Ave.), 1982).

Purdum, Jack. C Programming Guide (Indianapolis, IN: Que Corporation, 1983).

Pyle, I. C. The Ada Programming Language (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1981).

Zaks, Rodnay. The CP/M Handbook with MP/M (Berkeley, CA: Sybex, 1982).

Zaks, Rodnay. Introduction to Pascal (Including UCSD Pascal) (Berkeley, CA: Sybex,
1981).

No matter: it's worth the effort.

I have no opinion on the worth of
the book as an Ada handbook,
because I don't know enough about
the language. Booch is an Ada enthu-
siast and presents an awful lot about
the language; I think I could write an
Ada program using Booch as my only
reference, although I'm glad I don't
have to. The real value, though, is in
explaining why Ada does things in
the way it does. I have no hesitation
in recommending this book to any-
one seriously interested in under-
standing Ada.

If you know how to program and
just want to learn Ada, I can recom-
mend Ada— An Advanced Introduction
by Narain Gehani. This is a much
more traditional book than Booch's.
It doesn't go into the Ada "philoso-
phy" much, but it has many more ex-
amples of Ada programs and how to
write them. If I were required to write
an Ada program quickly, I'd far prefer
Gehani to Booch. On the other hand,
if I were serious about learning Ada,
I'd get both. Recommended.

The Ada Programming Language, by
I.C. Pyle, used to be the only Ada
book; alas, that was about all it had
going for it. The book is dense, con-
voluted in style, and printed in a less-
than-pleasing typeface. It also con-
tains erroneous examples. In Pyle's
defense, at the time he wrote the
book there was no Ada compiler for
him to work with, and the DOD pub-
lications he had to use as sources
were only slightly more comprehen-
sible than Linear B. In any event, it
is a book whose time has passed.

The Tidal Wave

There's no shortage of computer
books now. My publishing friends
tell me computer books are the most
popular nonfiction line in the in-
dustry. They also say the real tidal
wave will arrive in 1984.

At best, there's ample information;
the challenge will be to sort the gold
from the dross. I'll try to do that in
future reviews. ■

jern/ Pou rnelle is a former aerospace engineer and
current science-fiction writer who loves to play with
computers.

526 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

MERRY CHRISTMAS,
DARLING!

He asked for a new shirt and tie he'd seen at
Bloomingdale's. What he really wanted was more
profile in the office.

She asked for a new executive organizer— and
promised that this time shed use it. What she really
wanted was a way to succeed.

They gave each other ARIS, the Action Resource
Information System. And they each got what they
really wanted.

Now Ted's performance is really getting noticed.
ARIS organizes his needs, manages his priorities,
keeps track of his busy schedule. ARIS eases his work
load by placing his calls, outlining his reports, and
updating his client records-automatically And, the
built-in word processor has all the features he wants.
Ted's getting more work done, faster, more effectively.
With ARIS, Ted achieves the real management
results he needs.

Susan threw out her old organizer. ARIS prints
her action lists, confirms her meetings, even updates
her pocket diary. She loves the simplicity of a single
program managing her work and her computer.
ARIS reveals the true value of total software inte-
gration. Now when Susan changes her database, the
right information appears instantly in her client
files, in her correspondence— everywhere she needs
it. ARIS deals with the big issues and the little details,
so Susan can focus on her goals.

His performance excels. She's on her way to
success. And, with increased effectiveness, they have
more time for each other. Thanks to ARIS.

Now. What do you want for Christmas?

esc

♦

EXCEL

SYSTEMS CORPORATION

655 Redwood Highway ♦ Suite 311 ♦ Mill Valley, CA 94941

Ask your Dealer to demonstrate the entire EXCEL SYSTEMS line for you.

Circle 182 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 527

Sooner or later, an Eagle has to leave

its nest.

IBM Btld Seleccric arc registered TM's of IBM Corp.

528 BYTE December 1983

Introducing the Eagle Spirif XL.
The easy-to-use, professional portable.

Power? The Eagle Soirfi

Ul; ■-■---

<', $££/.,. . .

,•' f, <■ at::-.:-: .
•-•"■ gSzrr-.-.v.

.."*&* •-•"-•■•

Sooner or later, you have to
leave your office. And when you do,
you need a computer that can go
out the door wiuhout sacrificing power
or capabilities.

A portable computer like the
Eagle Spirit XL.

It's highly IBMK-compatible,
so you can choose from hundreds
of software and hardware products
designed for the IBM-PC— even
graphics and games.

And you can store several of your
favorite programs right on a single
disk, thanks to Eagle Spirit's 10 Mega-
byte hard disk memory. Making your
business as portable as your computer.

Power? The Eagle Spirit XL is as
powerful as a lot of desktops, includ-
ing the IBM-XT There's memory
to 640K, letting you run even the larg-
est spreadsheets with memory to
spare. Plus three ports (two serial and
one parallel) that connect you
to the world of printers, plotters,
mice and modems.

Best of all, you can add ease-of-
use features unique to Eagle: like our
FlexMenu* that calls up a program
with just two keystrokes. Or FlexKey,"
designed to simplify popular software
packages such as WordStar,"' VisiCalci'
SuperCalc III" and Lotus 1-2-3?

With extras like built-in graphics,
a familiar Selectric"-type keyboard,
even a non-glare screen. And it comes
as a complete package for one easy-
to-take price. Backed by a warranty
second to none.

The Eagle Spirit XL. From the
people who make the broadest range
of IBM-compatible computers.

Ask your computer dealer about
the new addition to the Eagle PC
series. We've made it easier. And now,
we've made it portable.

Eagle makes it easier.

For the Eagle dealer nearest you, phone

800-538-8157, Ext. 938.
In California, 800-672-3470, Ext. 938.

•■^•:':^-:V>'-;

Lotus 1 -2-3 is a registered TM of Lotus Development Corp. SuperCalc 111 is a registered TM of Sorcim. VisiCalc is s registered TM of VisiCorp. WorJSt;
Circle 222 on inquiry card.

JgiStered TM of MicroPro.

I 1983 EaBlc Computer.
BYTE December 1983

529

Software Received

Apple

Apple Cider Spider, an ar-
cade-type game. As a spider,
you must get back to your
web in the rafters of the ap-
ple cider factory. Avoid roll-
ing apples, slicers, crushers,
bottlers, and cappers. With
luck and timing, you can race
the clock to make it home.
For II, II Plus, and He; flop-
py disk, $34.95. Sierra On-
Line Inc., Sierra On-Line
Building, Coarsegold, CA
93614.

The Apple Family Sing-
along Christmas Disk, a disk
of Christmas carols. This
multivoice, four-part har-
mony of 16 Christmas carols
is complete with words and
lasts one-half hour. Handy
for Christmas parties, office
parties, or family gatherings.
For II, II Plus, and III; floppy
disk, $24.50. Solutions Soft-
works, PO Drawer 72289,
Roselle, IL 60172.

Bermuda Race, a sailing sim-
ulation of the blue-water race
from Newport, Rhode Is-
land, to Bermuda. One or
two players can chart pro-
gress as you sail 635 miles of
the open Atlantic. Race
against those who set the
Bermuda Race record with
the help of nautical interac-
tive tutorials. For the II; flop-
py disk, $29.95. Howard W.
Sams & Co., 4300 West 62nd
St., Indianapolis, IN 46268.

Compiled Customer/Client
Processor, a tailored database
program designed to provide
storage and manipulation of
essential information con-
cerning firms and individuals
you do business with. Five of
the 14 information fields are
user defined. This program
can search for records using
five user-specified criteria,
and it can print records and
mailing labels. For the II Plus;

floppy disk, $59.95. Proflo
Software, POB 7115, Murray,
UT 84107.

The DT Hunting Trainer/
Simulator, a hunting-simula-
tion program designed to ac-
curately depict field condi-
tions and bullet trajectories.
Sharpen your hunting skills
and judgment by taking into
account wind, slope, range,
target, and your own ability.
For II Plus and He; floppy
disk, $29.50. Datatech Soft-
ware Systems Inc., 19312 East
Eldorado Dr., Aurora, CO
80013.

The Einstein Compiler, a

BASIC compiler that auto-
matically translates Applesoft
BASIC programs into Apple
machine language. Compiled
programs execute several
times faster than uncompiled
code and the compiler en-
ables the integrated compila-
tion and execution of multi-
module programs. It pro-
vides debugging tools and of-
fers mechanisms for program
security. For II Plus and lie;
floppy disk, $129. The Ein-
stein Corp., 11340 West
Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles,
CA 90064.

Gruds In Space, an illus-
trated adventure game in
which you must deliver a
rare fuel to a ship stranded
on Pluto. You will be teleport-
ing to other planets to solve
many puzzles. If you can
deliver the fuel on time, you
win one million dollars from
President Fred. For II, II Plus,
and He; floppy disk, $39.95.
Sirius Software Inc., 10364
Rockingham Dr., Sacramen-
to, CA 95827.

Homework Helper, Elemen-
tary Mathematics, an educa-
tional program that shows
you the answers to math-
ematics problems and dis-
plays the extras you need to
'show your work.' Addition

shows carries; subtraction
shows borrows; multiplica-
tion shows intermediate
products; and division shows
long-division results up to
the first three digits. For II
Plus and He; floppy disk,
$24.95. Colorado Cypher-
netics Inc., 3550 Arapahoe
#4, Boulder, CO 80302.

The Last Diary, a personal
scheduling program. This
record-keeping system is
similar to the book form with
a page for every day. Each
day contains three comment
lines. You can manipulate
data for taxes or sales; print
a day, week, month, or year;
or search to find any string or
character. For II Plus and He;
floppy disk, $49.95. Proflo
Software (see address
above).

Memory Jogger, a perpetu-
al-reminder program. Never
forget another birthday, bill,
engagement, or project dead-
line. This program serves as
a flexible appointment-and-
event calendar and time-
management system. Fea-
tures include one-time entry
for recurring events, rapid
search over all fields, and
events listed chronologically
or alphabetically. For II Plus
and He; floppy disk, $29.95.
Craftsbury Software Inc.,
1623 Montague St. NW,
Washington, DC 20011.

Monte Carlo Simulations, a

general-purpose statistical
simulation and analysis tool
that contains two processes:
a statistical-analysis process
to match a set of raw data to
a standard probability dis-
tribution, and the simulation
process that generates ran-
dom numbers based on an
assumed probability distribu-
tion. For the II; floppy disk,
$60. Actuarial Micro Soft-
ware, 3915 A Valley Court,
Winston-Salem, NC 27106.

Natural Family Planning
Personal Charting Program,

a fertility-charting program.
Daily charts display each
cycle with temperature and
pH signs plotted in graphs as
well as text. A statistical
analysis of charted cycles dis-
plays cycle length, peak day,
and the post-ovulatory
phase. For the II; floppy disk,
$39.50. Family Life Software,
1401 South 11th Ave., St.
Cloud, MN 56301.

Pen-Pal, a word-processing
program that uses your com-
puter's full capabilities to
type, edit, store, and print
large amounts of informa-
tion. You can write a letter
with a few commands or pro-
duce a thesis complete with
tables. For II and He; floppy
disk, $59.95. Howard W.
Sams & Co. (see address
above).

The Quest, an adventure
game. As King Gait's newest
advisor, you must accom-
pany his champion fighter,
Gorn, on a quest to rid the
kingdom of a vengeful
dragon. Refresh your water
supply and refer to your map
of more than 200 locations in
high-resolution graphics. For
the II; floppy disk, $19.95.
Penguin Software, 830 4th
Ave., Geneva, IL 60134.

Ramdisk He, a utility pro-
gram for Apple He com-
puters with extended 80-
column cards. It has 25
screens of menu-driven
documentation and supports
double high-resolution
graphics. Ramdisk He can be
modified and copied. For the
He; floppy disk, $19.95. Preci-
sion Software, 6514 North
Fresno St., Milwaukee, WI
53224.

Sammy Lightfoot, an arcade-
type game. This little acrobat
with a fancy hairdo craves
the spotlight under the Big

530 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

/MicroAge

"THEIR ENTHUSIASM ABOUT OUR GROWTH

IN ALASKA WAS CONTAGIOUS. . .IN LESS

THAN TWO YEARS WE'VE EXPANDED INTO

FOUR COMPUTER STORES!"

started MicroAge during the pioneering days of microcomputing is
now a matter of company policy."
"Plus, MicroAge helped us get key product lines for Alaskal"
"We're believers in MicroAge. Their industry knowledge and
insight into recent product developments has given us the flexibility
to think and react before our competition does. We started with 4
people in a single store in 1981 . . .now we have 4 stores and 26
people."
"At MicroAge, they speak our language. . .successl"

\ay Vlisldofl
MicroAge franchisee

Tom Hunter
MicroAge franchisee

i££>

To build your own professional computer sales organ-
ization with MicroAge, write to:

MicroAge"

co/MPUTer STores

"The Solution Store"®

1457 West Alameda • Tempe, Arizona 85282

(602) 968-3168

&t 1

Ik

in

■

0 1

MicroAge franchisees lay Wisthoff and Tow Hunter sfwwit mtfi Televideo products.

Circle 283 on inquiry card.

Software Received.

Top. He now faces the tough-
est challenge of his career: an
audition that requires perfect
timing on the trampolines
and courage to swing across
the trapeze with fire at his
feet. Grinning pumpkins and
pounding hammers are out
to smash Sammy's dream.
For II, II Plus, and He; flop-
py disk, $37.79. Sierra On-
Line Inc. (see address above).

Speedstat 2, a statistical-
analysis program that pro-
vides an easy means for get-
ting edited or raw data in and
out of the system in the form
of printed statistical reports
or reusable data. For the II;
floppy disk, $299. Softcorp
International, 229 Huber
Village Blvd., Westerville,
OH 43081.

Stellar 7, a strategy arcade-
type game in which you are
in command of the Agrav
Unit, Raven. You must reach

the Arcturan star system and
destroy the Supreme Over-
lord of the Empire, the in-
famous Gir Draxon. If you
survive the onslaught of Arc-
turan forces on seven star
systems, a Warplink will ap-
pear and transport you to the
next star system. For II, II
Plus, and He; floppy disk,
$34.95. Software Entertain-
ment Co., 537 Willamette St.,
Eugene, OR 97401.

Wine Connoisseur, a cellar-
inventory program that also
files your tasting notes on
flavors, aromas, vintages,
and regions. This program
enables you to pick the ap-
propriate wines for meals
using screen prompts and
multifield search. For II Plus
and lie; floppy disk, $39.95.
Craftsbury Software Inc. (see
address above).

Wings Out of Shadow, an

arcade-type game based on a

science-fiction story by Fred
Saberhagen. You command a
spaceship that must fight
four levels of a fleet of Ber-
serkers: Bridge Game, Maze
Game, Flight Deck, and Last
Battle in which you must
eliminate all Berserkers or
distract them until the Hope
escapes. For the II Plus; flop-
py disk, $34.95. Jim Baen
Inc., 8 West 36th St., New
York, NY 10018.

The Witness, an interactive-
whodunit game. As a chief
police detective during the
1930s, you must solve your
toughest case to date: a sor-
did family affair that could
put everyone from the heir-
ess to the butler in jail. See
if you can untangle the knot
of motives and alibis and
solve the case in less than 12
hours. For the II; floppy disk,
$49.95. Infocom Inc., 55
Wheeler St., Cambridge, MA
02138.

Zaxxon, an air-battle simula-
tion game. As the pilot of a
fighter spacecraft, you must
destroy a deadly armored
robot by skillfully maneuver-
ing to attack enemy installa-
tions and fuel tanks. Avoid
the enemy's barrage of mis-
siles and gunfire as you scale
walls and navigate through
force fields in the three-
dimensional battlefield. For
II, II Plus, and He; floppy
disk, $39.95. Datasoft Inc.,
9421 Winnetka Ave., Chats-
worth, CA 91311-9969.

Atari

Astro Chase, an arcade-type
game. As an ace space
soldier you must save Earth
from destruction by eliminat-
ing mines that threaten
humanity. Avoid attacks horn
a variety of enemy fighters
trying to distract you. For
400/800 and 1200; cartridge,

c

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Learning to
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532 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 486 on inquiry card.

programmers

READ THIS

WHO TO SELL YOUR PROGRAMS

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WITH DETAILED LISTINGS SHOWING:

(1) WHAT PROGRAMS PUBLISHERS ARE LOOKING FOR

(2) HOW THEY WANT YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR PROGRAM

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100 CATEGORIES - FROM "ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE"^
TO "GAMES" TO "VIDEO CONTROL" PROGRAMS
HOW TO WRITE CLEAR DOCUMENTATION
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BYTE December 1983

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c

PROGRAMMING IN %-* ?

BE SURE YOU GET ALL THE PHACT's

base your C programming on
PHACT-dbrm

a m ul ti- keye d [I S AM)
Data Base Record Manager.

PHACT-dbrm

is an easy to use library of C callable

functions for manipulation of records in

a database, plus high level database

manipulation tools.

PHACT-dbrm

supports: data dictionary; 5 datatypes; variable

length records; full database security; database

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runs on: all UNIX systems • IDRIS and UNIX look-
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To get all the PHACT's call DAVID GRAHAM at

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Software Received,

$40. Parker Brothers, 50
Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA
01915.

Beneath Apple Manor, a fan-
tasy game simulation. You
play the role of an adven-
turer, exploring a multilevel
underground maze of cor-
ridors, rooms, and secret
passages to kill monsters and
find treasures. Increase your
skills in each level with color-
ful high-resolution graphics.
For the 800; floppy disk,
$29.95. Quality Software,
Suite 105, 6660 Reseda Blvd.,
Reseda, CA 91335.

DOS-MOD, a modification
and enhancement program.
Atari DOS 2.0S now includes
full use of the screen, one-
line commands, command-
file capability, options to con-
trol wild-card file operations,
and a reliable memory/disk
swapping facility. For the
400/800; floppy disk, $35.
Eclipse, 1058 Marigold Court,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086.

Excalibur, a medieval simula-
tion game. Based on the
legend of King Arthur, you
must govern a nation wisely
using economics, diplomacy,
magic, military strategy, even
the loyalties of friends and
enemies. An Atari joystick
controller is required. For the
400/800; floppy disk, $29.95.
Atari Program Exchange,
1265 Borregas Ave., POB 427,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086.

Fathom, a subterranean res-
cue-mission game. You must
locate three pieces of Nep-
tune's trident to free his mer-
maid daughter from her un-
derwater prison. You can
switch from a dolphin form
to a seagull to search both sea
and sky for the missing
pieces. Learn to make magi-
cal stars and starfish to help
you in your mission. For the
2600; cartridge, $29.95.
Imagic, 981 University Ave.,
Los Gatos, CA 95030.

Kaboom, an arcade-type
game. You are after the Mad
Bomber, a scowling convict
who roams the rooftops
dropping bombs with lighted
fuses. As you maneuver
water buckets to try to catch
the falling bombs, you are ac-
companied by the music of
the 1812 Overture. For 400/
800 and 1200; cartridge,
$34.95. Activision Inc., 2350
Bayshore Frontage Rd.,
Mountain View, CA 94043.

Moon Shuttle, an arcade-
type game. As the pilot of a
Moon Shuttle flight, you re-
peatedly encounter unex-
pected dangers as you blast
your way through asteroids
and bomb launchers while
the enemy skillfully dodges
your sights. For 400/800 and
1200; floppy disk and cas-
sette, $29.95. Datasoft Inc.,
9421 Winnetka Ave., Chats-
worth, CA 91311-9969.

Moonsweeper, an arcade-
type adventure. You must
reach and rescue miners
stranded on hostile moons in
an outerspace quadrant.
Avoid a deadly photon torch,
space bullet showers, and
Aurora flare activity at lethal
levels. Land on as many
moons as you can while you
rescue the miners. For the
2600; cartridge, $30. Imagic
(see address above).

Murder on the Zinderneuf,

an adventure mystery game
in which you pick one of
eight detectives and try to
solve the mystery of the Zin-
derneuf blimp before it
lands. If you fail, someone
will get away with murder.
The mystery changes with
each different detective. For
400/800 and 1200; floppy
disk, $40. Electronic Arts,
2755 Campus Dr., San
Mateo, CA 94403.

The Official Frogger, an

arcade-game adaptation. You
are a frog with seven lives
who must get home safely.

534 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 485 on inquiry card.

CompuShack

PRICES AND AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
ALL RETURNED MERCHANDISE SUBJECT TO A 20% RESTOCKING FEE.

ADD 10% FOR NET TERMS

PRICES GOOD IN U.S. ONLY.

PRICES REFLECTED IN THIS

SECTION ARE LOWER THAN FRANCHISE STORES.

WE TEST EVERY COMPUTER SYSTEM BEFORE WE SHIP IT!

AST RESEARCH

IO Plus-Parallel & Serial Port. Clock
Calendar W/Bat. back-up. Superdrive.
Superspool $ 199.00

Combo Plus— 256K, Parallel & Serial Port, Clock
Calendar W/Bat. back-up. Superdrive.

Superspool $499.00

Mega Plus— 5J2K, Parallel & Serial Port, Clock

Calendar W/Bat. back-up $999.00

QUAORAM

Quad Board - 256K, Parallel Port, Serial

I/O Clock Calendar with battery backup

$599.00

512K Ram with Serial I/O $799.00

HERCULES GRAPHICS CARD
This card gives you 720x350

graphics $499.00

BIG BLUE $479.00

MAYNARD SANDSTAR SERIES
Multifunction Card $95.00

Floppy Disk Controller $225.00

Memory Card $189.00

MONITORS

AMDEK

300A . $199.00

300G $169.00

3I0A . . . . $199.00

IV

$349.00

$699.00

$399.00

$1199.00

NEC

JB I20IM $169.00
JC I212M $335.00

JC 1203 . $755.00
JB 1260 . .$139.00

PRINCETON GRAPHICS SYSTEMS

High Res. Color $499

FLOPPY DISK DRIVES

SHUGART

SA400 sysD

TANDON

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TM-848-2 DVDD

SIEMENS

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$169.00

CALL

$349

$399

$159.00

DISK DRIVES

For IBM PC
Tandon 100-2 .
Slimline 320KB . .

CALL
$229.00

PRINTERS

BROTHER

HR-I A parallel . . .

HR-1 A serial

DX-15

Tractor feed option

brathec

$769.00
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$135.00

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LOTUS 1-2-3 SOFTWARE $459

HARD DISK SYSTEMS FOR IBM

HARD DISK SYSTEM FOR IBM PC

256K IBM PC, 360KB Disk Drive, FDC,
10 MB Hard Disk w/controller, Cabinet controller
& software, Color Card, Monitor $3999.00

PRINTERS

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$429.00

83A

$699.00

84AP parallel . .

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84AS serial ....

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$525.00

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Model 630

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Model 630

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NEC
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NEC

7710-1 $2095 3510 ....

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Smartmodem 1200 baud

$299.95
$529.95

CompuShack

THE UNIQUE FRANCHISING
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PRIVATE LABEL PRODUCTS
WITH NO ROYALTIES,
DISCOUNT PRICES, FULL
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Circle 95 on inquiry card.

(7141 261-1000

FRANCHISE INQUIRIES WELCOME

T6S61 ARMSTRONG. IRVINE. CA 9271*

HEADQUARTERS/TELEX: 1DT667- ANSWER BACK: COMPPSHACK IRIN

•IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation

•APPLE is a registered trademark of Apple Computers. Inc

•CP/M and CP/M86 are registered trademarks of Digital Research. Inc

PRODUCTS AND PRICES NOT AVAILABLE
AT ALL STORES

ALL FLOPPIES REPAIRED QUICKLY AT LOW COST

CALL FOR STORE
LOCATION

Software Received

You must cross the freeway
while cars, trucks, and bull-
dozers are traveling at vari-
ous speeds. After you try to
jump across the freeway to
the safety barrier, you must
navigate the river by leaping
on logs and jumping on tur-
tles' backs. For the 2600; cas-
sette, $18. Starpath Corp.,
2005 De la Cruz Blvd., Santa
Clara, CA 95050.

Operation Whirlwind, a

WWII strategy game. You
command a reinforced infan-
try battalion. Your job is to in-
filtrate enemy lines, destroy-
ing any resistance you en-
counter. The computer's
forces harass you as you try
to seize the city and hold it
against counterattack in a
limited amount of time. For
400/800 and 1200; floppy
disk, $39.95. Broderbund
Software Inc., 1938 Fourth
St., San Rafael, CA 94901.

Ore Attack, a medieval-battle
game. Save the castle from an
Ore attack by hurling rocks
and boiling oil from the para-
pet. Watch out for the sor-
cerer that is lurking in the
background waiting to cast
evil spells. For 400/800 and
1200; cartridge, $39.95. Thorn
Emi Home Video, 1370 Ave-
nue of the Americas, New
York, NY 10019.

O'Riley's Mine, an under-
ground adventure game. As
Timothy O'Riley, you must
travel down through your
mine to capture buried trea-
sures and return home safe-
ly to the top of the mine
shaft. Avoid hungry river
monsters and drowning in
the rushing water. Use your
dynamite carefully to destroy
the monsters without de-
stroying yourself. For 400/800
and 1200; floppy disk and
cassette, $29.95. Datasoft Inc.
(see address above).

Q Bert, an arcade-type game
in which you hop Q Bert
down a pyramid of cubes

that change color with each
successful landing. All the
cubes must be changed to the
same color before the player
can move on to the next,
more hectic round of play.
For 400/800 and 1200; car-
tridge, $40. Parker Brothers
(see address above).

Rabbit Transit, a fast-action
arcade-type game. As a rab-
bit, you must get through the
mysterious meadow and the
land of ledges before you can
start a family. Avoid meadow
meanies who try to prevent
you from reaching the turtle
that will carry you down the
river. For the 2600; cassette,
$18. Starpath Corp. (see ad-
dress above).

Super Cobra, a high-altitude
arcade-type game where
realistic missiles explode
around you. The enemy base
can be reached only by heli-
copter and the pilot must
execute hairpin aerial maneu-
vers through a constantly
changing terrain of mazes,
caves, and cities with tall
buildings, while under attack
by missiles, meteors, tanks,
and flying saucers. For the
400/800; cartridge, $40. Parker
Brothers (see address above).

Wavy Navy, an arcade-type
game. You pilot a FT boat be-
ing tossed by 30-foot waves
while surrounded by enemy
bombers and kamikaze
fighters that appear on the
horizon backed up by heli-
copters with blazing machine
guns. For 400/800 and 1200;
floppy disk, $34.95. Sirius
Software Inc., 10364 Rocking-
ham Dr., Sacramento, CA
95827.

The Witness, an interactive-
whodunit game (see descrip-
tion under Apple). Infocom
Inc., 55 Wheeler St., Cam-
bridge, MA 02138.

Worms, a two-dimensional
grid game. You are in control
of electronic-light lines that

geometrically resemble
worms. They capture terri-
tories by laying trails from
dot to dot. You can choose
from five worms with vary-
ing capacities. For the 400/800
and 1200; floppy disk, $35.
Electronic Arts (see address
above).

XBASIC, a machine-lan-
guage program to expand the
power of Atari BASIC by
adding 30 new functions that
include string arrays, multi-
color characters, player-mis-
sile graphics, and more. For
the 400/800; floppy disk,
$29.95. Superware, 2028
Kingshouse Rd., Silver
Spring, MD 20904.

CP/M

ACPs, a series of Access Con-
trol Programs that interfaces
with CP/M 2.2, reserving sys-
tem-access for authorized
users. Access to a system's
resources (data and program
files, peripheral equipment)
is also user-specific. Handles
log-on/off from multiple
direct-cabled and dial-up ter-
minals and includes a man-
ual. Floppy disk, $150.
Grover Software, POB 34216,
Bethesda, MD 20817.

The Champion, a complete
CP/M 2.2 accounting package
written in dBASE II that in-
cludes general ledger and
financial statements, ac-
counts payable and purchase
order, inventory, payroll, and
accounts receivable with
order entry and point of sale.
This program eliminates the
need for batching or sorting
data and features a help
function and automatic re-
covery in the event of a crash.
Floppy disk, $195. Data Base
Research Corp., Suite 155, 66
South Van Gordon St., Lake-
wood, CO 80228.

Grafprn, a utility program
that lets you print high-res-

olution graphics files on dot-
matrix printers. It calculates
all the dots on the line be-
tween the endpoints and
passes this information to the
printer (rasterization). This
program is limited to Tek-
tronix Plot 10 graphics infor-
mation. Floppy disk, $29.95.
Micromaster Computer Con-
sultants, 20877 Southwest
Winema Dr., Tualatin, OR
97062.

Home Word Processing Ser-
vice, a start-up kit. This pro-
gram shows you how to start
up a small word-processing
service. It includes sample
marketing, operating, and
start-up plans, a manual, and
a collection of pamphlets on
such topics as legalities. Flop-
py disk, $29.95. South Bay
Word Processing, Suite 290,
1558 Oro Vista Rd., San
Diego, CA 92154.

Starburst, a systems-building
and database management
tool for the nonprogrammer
that unites Micropro pro-
grams or links other software
programs to perform or-
dinary office tasks. This pro-
gram lets you build and
create the menus you need.
Floppy disk, $195. Micropro
International Corp., 33 San
Pablo Ave., San Rafael, CA
94903.

Commodore

Arcadia Mania, a fast-action
arcade-type game in which
you shoot nineteen waves of
menacing aliens that are all
out to get you. Try to kill as
many as possible with your
limited supply of ammuni-
tion. The more you hit, the
higher your score. For the 64;
floppy disk, $24.95. Perseus
Programming, 9311 Avery
Rd., Broadview Heights, OH
44147.

David's Midnight Magic, a

fast-action electronic-pinball
game. See how high your

536 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

NETWORK

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Disk Drive

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Retail

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Please check (*-") all boxes that apply:
Basic Membership

□ One-year membership for $8

Q Two-year membership for $15 (SAVE $1)

Q Business Software Rental Library for S30 add!

per year — members only
D Games Software Rental Library for $10 add'l.

per year— members only

Special V.I.P. Membership 919

□ One-year membership for $15

□ Two-year membership for $25 (SAVE $5)

□ BOTH Business and Game Software
Rental Libraries for $35 add'l.

per year — V.I.P. members only

□ Bill my credit card: □ VISA

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Account Number:

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□ Check or money order enclosed for $_
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My computer(s) is: D IBM PC □ Apple II Q TRS-80
D Atari □ Commodore Other

Signature *>

(Signature required to validate membership)

Circle 503 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 537

Circle 18 on inquiry card.

QUALITY PARTS AT DISCOUNT PRICES!

SUB-MINIATURE
DTYPE CONNECTOR

SOLDER TYPE SUB-MINIATURE
CONNECTORS USED FOR
COMPUTER HOOK UPS

DB- 1 5 PLUG
DB-15S0CKET
DB- 15 HOOD
DB-25PLUG
DB-25 SOCKET
DB-25HOOD

$2.75
$4.00
$1.50
$2.75
$3.50
$1.25

WIRE 15 CONDUCTOR

COLOR CODED 24 GA
STRANDED GRAY JACKET

25 FEET $12.00 100 FEET $37.50

KEY ASSEMBLY

5 KEY

7$100 EACH

CONTAINS 5 SINGLE-POLE
NORMALLY OPEN SWITCHES.
MEASURES 3V LONG.

6 KEY

$1.25
EACH

CONTAINS 6 SINGLE-POLE
NORMALLY OPEN SWITCHES.
MEASURES W LONG.

BCD DIP SWITCH

10 POSITION ROTARY ,J—4

SCREWDRIVER ADJUST;|SET|:

FITS 6 PIN DIP. @s3"|/

$1.85 EACH

SOLID STATE
RELAYS

2 AMP

=n-l

if

I FREE! FREE! FREE! | SEND FORi

MOTOROLA
"MP 120D2
RATED:
C0NTROL-3 6-6VDC
LOAD-120VAC2AMPS
r.T.L COMPATIBLE.
SIZE: 1"/,. - »ix THIGH
$3.50 EACH 10 FOR $32.00

10 AMP

TELEDYNEP/N 615-1
CONTROL:

3- 32 VDC
LOAD: 10 AMP
140 VAC

$9.50 EACH

-48 PAGE CATALOG

MINIATURE TOGGLE SWITCHES

ALL ARE RATED 5 AMPS @ 125 VAC

POWER
SUPPLY

S.P.D.T.

(on-on)

P C STYLE. j

NON-THREADED I
BUSHING Cf

75« EACH *_•

10 FOR $7 00 fTJ

S.P.D.T.
(on-o(f-on) I

non-threaded!

bushing o

P C STYLE ■"'
75C EACH Jrr,

10 FOR $7.00 V U

S.P.D.T.

(on-on)

SOLDER LUG
TERMINALS
$1.00 EACH
10 FOR $9 00 <

100 FOR $8000"

S.P.D.T.
(on-on)

P C LUGS.

THREADED
BUSHING
$1.00 EACH '
10 FOR S9.00U
100 FOR $80.00

S.P.D.T.
(on-off-on)^

SOLDER LUG
TERMINALS
$1.00 EACH

10 FOR $9 00
100 FOR $80 00

D.P.D.T.
(on-on)

SOLDER LUG ,
TERMINALS
$2.00 EACH
10 FOR $1900 *
100 FOR $1i

EDGE
CONNECTORS

22/44 22/44 GOLD PLATEU

CONTACTS

! 56 CONTACT SPACING

$2.00 EACH 10 FOR $18.00

28/56

28/56 GOLD PLATED CONTACTS
156 CONTACT SPACING.
$2.50 EACH 10FOR $22.00

50/100 MICRO PLASTIC
"MP-0125-50-OS-1
STANDARD S-100 CONNECTOR
~" SPACING GOLD PLATED
PC MOUNT
$3.75 EACH 10 FOR $35.00

PUT "THE TOUCH"
ON YOUR APPLE"

'SOFT-TOUCH'

Now get high resolution
touch screen capabilities for
your Apple'*lle or Apple®ll +
with CTA's Soft-Touch™ bezel
and interface, it attaches eas-
ily to any Apple® Monitor ill
and comes with all the hard-
ware and software you need
to install and operate it.

Use CTA's Soft-Touch™ as a
training device or to replace
joysticks or keyboard game
commands. Use it for spread-
sheet programs, too.

Ask your Apple8 dealer for
CTA's soft-Touch™ — and put
the touch on your Apple"!

Dealer Inquiries Welcome

Computer Technology
Associates

New Products Division

1704 Moon, N.E.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

87112

(505) 298-0942

TWX 910 989 1157

Apple- is a registered
trademark of Apple-
Computer, Inc. Soft-Touch is
a trademark of computer
Technology Associates.

Software Received ,

score goes using dual-flipper
controls, bumper action, roll-
overs, and multiple-ball play,
accompanied by all the
sounds and lights of the
classic arcade-pinball ma-
chine. Jostle the machine too
much, though, and the game
will tilt. For the 64; floppy
disk, $34.95. Broderbuhd
Software Inc., 1938 Fourth
St., San Rafael, CA 94901.

Disk Duplicator, a machine-
language program that pro-
vides a fast and convenient
way to back up disks in as
few as four exchanges. This
system copies all programs,
sequential files, user files,
relative files, and more. For
the 64; floppy disk, $14.95.
H & H Enterprises, 5056
North 41st St., Milwaukee,
WI 53209.

Disk Retriever, a machine-
language program that pro-
vides a method to recover ac-
cidentally scratched pro-
grams and data files. This
system can restore all pro-
grams, sequential files, user
files, and relative files to their
original status, provided that
no prior information has
been saved on that disk. For
the 64; floppy disk, $9.95.
H & H Enterprises (see ad-
dress above).

Fourth Encounter, an arcade-
type game. Hostile aliens are
determined to overrun your
planet and enslave the in-
habitants. As waves of aliens
swoop from the sky attacking
you, you shoot lethal laser
bolts to eliminate them. For
the VIC-20; cartridge, $39.95.
Thorn Emi Home Video, 1370
Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10019.

Jumpman, a multilevel ar-
cade-type game. You are
trained as the government's
top-secret bomb defuser.
With seven lives, you maneu-
ver your way around ob-
stacles to save Jupiter, which
has been sabotaged with

bombs throughout its thirty
levels. You must defuse the
bombs and restore the com-
munications systems. For the
64; floppy disk, $39.95. Epyx/
Automated Simulations, 1043
Kiel Court, Sunnyvale, CA
94086.

Typetest, a typing-speed test-
ing program. Select how
many words you'd like in
your test and the program
randomly selects that
amount of words, lets you
type them, and tells you how
fast you typed them. For the
64; cassette, $11.95. Scott
LeDoux, 67 Bridle Rd., POB
383, Billerica, MA 01821.

IBM

Personal Computer

Beneath Apple Manor, a fan-
tasy game simulation (see
description under Atari).
Floppy disk, $29.95. Quality
Software, Suite 105, 6660
Reseda Blvd., Reseda, CA
91335.

The Bottom Line Strategist,

an econometric forecasting
tool that uses graphics to
track and analyze financial
and marketing strategies.
With little programming
knowledge, you can see the
viability of a project in a
tabular or graphical display.
You set parameters with am-
ple help via keys. Floppy
disk, $400. Ashton-Tate, 10150
West Jefferson Blvd., Culver
City, CA 90230.

Cache/Q, a software-acceler-
ator package. This sophisti-
cated RAM-caching tech-
nique lets you buffer data
from mass storage into main
memory. Changes in the buf-
fered material are auto-
matically written through to
mass storage, thereby afford-
ing complete protection for
the data. The result is faster-
running application pro-
grams that are easy to use.
Floppy disk, $225. Techne

538 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 111 on inquiry card.

COHERENT™ IS SUPERIOR TO UNIX*

AND IT'S AVAILABLE TODAY

ON THE IBM PC.

Mark Williams Company hasn't just taken a mini-computer
operating system, like UNIX, and ported it to the PC. We
wrote COHERENT ourselves. We were able to bring UNIX
capability to the PC with the PC in mind, making it the most
efficient personal computer work station available at an
unbelievable price.

For the first time you get a multi-user, multitasking operating
system on your IBM PC. Because COHERENT is UNIX-
compatible, UNIX software will run on the PC under
COHERENT.

The software system includes a C-compiler and over 100 utili-
ties, all for $500. Similar environments cost thousands more.

COHERENT on the IBM PC requires a hard disk and 256K
memory. It's available on the IBM XT, and Tecmar, Davong
and Corvus hard disks.

Available now. For additional information, call or write,

Mark Williams Company

1430 West Wrightwood, Chicago, Illinois 60614

312/472-6659

Mark

Williams

Company

COHERENT is a trademark of Mark Williams Company.

♦UNIX is as trademark of Bell Laboratories. Circle 457 on inquiry card.

Software Received

Software Corp., Suite 210,
3685 Mt. Diablo Blvd.,
Lafayette, CA 94549.

Chip Wars, an interactive
barnyard game for all ages.
The chickens have flown the
coop and are laying eggs all
over the cow pasture. Farmer
Dave must race against time
to get all those chickens and
eggs back to the henhouse
while avoiding a prize-win-
ning bull. Floppy disk,
$29.95. Accupipe Corp., 222
West Lancaster Ave., Paoli,
PA 19301.

Happy Alligator, an alpha-
bet-teaching program de-
signed for 3- to 6-year-old
children. When the child
enters the correct letter on
the keyboard, the program
draws a fun picture on the
color monitor. Adult supervi-
sion needed only to change
disks. Floppy disk, $29.95.
Happy Alligator Co., 274

Cabot Court, Fishkill, NY
12524.

Instat, a general-purpose
instant-statistics program.
Features include complex
contingency tables, histo-
grams, means and standard
deviations, and regression
and comparison of means.
Because P-values are com-
puted automatically, looking
up in tables is not required.
Produces output on any
printer. Floppy disk, $85.
Statistical Consulting Ser-
vices, 517 East Lodge Dr.,
Tempe, AZ 85283.

J-Bird, an arcade-type game.
You are the J-Bird who must
change the color of your
world composed of a three-
dimensional pyramid of col-
ored cubes. You change
cubes' colors by hopping
onto a cube and marking it as
your territory. Avoid the car-
toon critters, a sly snake, a

crafty cat, and Hob and Nob,
two pesty characters who
change your cubes back to
the original color. Floppy
disk, $36.95. Orion Software,
POB 2488, Auburn, AL
36831.

Know Your Client, a utility
program that lets you keep
track of information about
your clients. You can enter
and instantly recall informa-
tion such as employees in a
company that you plan to
visit, when to follow up calls,
find clients who have com-
mon factors, print labels, and
more. Floppy disk, $92.95.
Execuware, Suite 300, 7415
Pineville-Matthews Rd., Box
10, Charlotte, NC 28226.

Meteor Math II, an educa-
tional math-adventure game.
The pilot must destroy
meteors to prevent Earth's
destruction by solving math
problems. Select the math

mode (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division) and
other options on a preflight
checklist. Floppy disk,
$44.95. Brauer Computer
Support, Education Division,
POB 86634, San Diego, CA
92138.

Oil Barons, a strategy game
for one to eight players. You
become a Texas Wildcatter
and must amass more wealth
than other players. A color-
ful game board helps players
map and analyze land hold-
ings. The computer keeps
score and handles the bank-
ing, freeing players for opti-
mal strategies. Floppy disk,
$53.33. Epyx/Automated Sim-
ulations, 1043 Kiel Court,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086.

Realfast 1, a utility program
that links compiled IBM
FORTRAN code to the high-
speed mathematics of the
8087 Numerical Data Pro-

CompuPro

8 and/or 16 Bits.

At CompuPro, we know it isn't enough to make the best computer system around — expert planning, custom
configuration, tailored software and swift service are just as vital to our customers. That's why we carefully
select and train each of our Full Service CompuPro System Centers to provide a complete solutions package for
your high-performance computing needs. So for your business, scientific and industrial applications, turn to
the professionals listed below. Think of them as your computer consultants— not just retailers.

ALABAMA

Burlingame

Mountain View

Birmingham

Mentzer Computer Systems

ACC

Cost Plus Computers

(415)340-9363

(415)969-4969

(205) 879-5976

Canyon Country

Oakland

Creative Computing Services

Track Computer Center

ARIZONA

(805) 251-9877

(415)444-8725

Scottsdale

Chatsworth

Pacific Palisades

S-100

Priority One Electronics

System Interface Consultants

(800)528-3138

(213)709-6789

(213)454-2100

Hay ward

Pasadena

CALIFORNIA

Best Computers Hayward

Omni Unlimited

Bakersfield

(415)886-4732

(213)795-6664

Creative Computing Services

Irvine

Petaluma

(805)835-1118

Priority One Electronics

Advanced Information Mgmt.

Berkeley

(714)660-1411

(707) 763-7283

American Computers & Engineers

Los Angeles

Pleasanton

(415)849-0177

American Computers & Engineers

Best Computers Stoneridge

Track Computer Center

(213)477-6751

(415)463-2233

(415) 845-6366

Giftord Computer Systems

(213)477-3921

©1983 CompuPro

540 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

cessor. It accelerates for-
matted input/outputs and
mathematical operations.
Floppy disk, $120. Geostat
Systems International Inc.,
POB 1193, Golden, CO
80402.

Styx, an arcade-type game.
The bewitching Styx is hold-
ing a vast expanse of your
playing field. You must ven-
ture into its territory to stake
your claim. Your stronghold
grows as you force the re-
treating Styx into the corner.
Floppy disk, $39.95. Wind-
mill Software Inc., 2209
Leominster Dr., Burlington,
Ontario L7P 3W8, Canada.

Venture, a financial-planning
and analysis system. Finan-
cial analysts, strategic plan-
ners, capital budget analysts,
and others in business can
use this program to model,
analyze, evaluate, and report
on a business from an opera-

tional point of view. Floppy
disk, $495. Weiss Associates
Inc., 127 Michael Dr., Red
Bank, NJ 07701.

TRS-80

Multiple Access Program
(MAP), a utility program.
You can search large data or
text files in seconds. Enter in-
formation in any format you
choose: words, phrases, sen-
tences, paragraphs, or fixed
fields and MAP will index
every item three or more
characters long. For Models II
and III; floppy disk, $195.
Softshell, POB 18522, Balti-
more, MD 21237.

Psiconn, a strategy and con-
centration game. Try to take
over the 600 positions of the
board while skipping a bar-
rier that will appear after
every 10 positions. When you
take one of seven bonuses, a

barrier disappears. For the
Color Computer; cassette,
$23.95. The Software Factory,
7014 Southwest 46th St.,
Miami, FL 33155.

Rainbow's Corner, a collec-
tion of five learning games
and two math utilities. En-
liven a child's imagination
and expand creativity by let-
ting them hunt for a pot of
gold in a deserted castle, de-
code messages at the control
panel of an alien space ship,
or pilot a Blue Mite. For the
Color Computer; cassette,
$19.95. John Boeschen & Co.,
2901 Mirante, Richmond, CA
94803.

Texas Instruments

Cosmic Cruise, an arcade-
type game. Travel through
space while avoiding planets,
asteroids, and attacking
aliens. Capture rebel out-

posts to refuel and rearm.
Your saucer's console warns
you of impending danger.
For the 99/4A; cassette,
$11.95. JW Software, 814 West
Main, Urbana, IL 61801.

The Dow-4 Gazelle Instru-
ment Flight Simulator, a fly-
ing simulation of a private,
four-seater, single-engine, in-
strument-equipped airplane.
Beginners learn to take off,
land, and use the radio; sea-
soned pilots refresh skills
such as stall recovery and
steep turns. In this game, if
you crash you are rescued.
For the 99/4A; cassette, $30.
John Dow, 6360 Caton, Pitts-
burgh, PA 15217.

Run the Rapids, an arcade-
type game. Navigate your
raft through winding, white-
water river. Avoid protruding
rocks, dangerous fish, and
drifting logs. Pick up floating
treasures to score points. For

Spoken Here. . .

Sacramento

Logic Systems

(916)971-3133

San Francisco

Gifford Computer Systems

(415) 391-4570

San Leandro

Gifford Computer Systems

(415)895-0798

San Rafael

Computer House

(415)453-0865

Santa Barbara

Data Bank

(805) 962-8489

Santa Maria

Data Bank

(805)922-1333

Santa Rosa

Matrix Computers

(707) 542-0571

Sunnyvale

Pragmatic Designs Inc.

(408) 736-8670

COLORADO

Rocky Mountain Microsystems, Inc.
(303) 232-4545

FLORIDA

Brandon/Tampa

Micro Computer Technology

(813)685-7659

Ft. Walton Beach

Softech, Inc.

(904) 244-0445

Satellite Beach

Binary Magic, Inc.

(305) 777-7080

HAWAII

Kahuiui Maui

Capacity Plus Computers
(808) 877-3496

ILLINOIS
Athens

Computers Plus

(217)636-8491

La Grange Park

Small Business Systems Inc.

(312)579-3311

Skokie

Lillipute Computer Mart Inc.

(312)674-1383

INDIANA

Terre Haute

General Software Inc.

(812)234-9421

MARYLAND

Bethesda

JR Systems
(301)657-3598

MASSACHUSETTS
Boston

New England Electronic Exch.

(617)491-3000

Chestnut Hill

Key Micro Systems

(617) 738-7306

(Please turn the page)

(ompuPro

A GODBOUT COMPANY

3506 Breakwater Court, Hayward, CA 94545

©1983CompuPro

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

541

Software Received.

the 99/4A; cassette, $11.95.
JW Software (see address
above).

ZX81/T/S 1000

Lab-rat, a maze game. Find
your way through a mind-
boggling maze with only a
compass and radar to guide
you. As you proceed through
the maze in as few moves as
possible, your current posi-
tion will be displayed in
three-dimensional perspec-
tive. Cassette, $7.50. Event
Horizon Software, 2345
Northfield, Trenton, MI
48183.

Master-Minds, a scientific-
deduction game. You must
break a 4-digit secret code in
less than 15 attempts in order
to win. Your computer re-
sponds with a few cryptic

clues. Cassette, $7.50. Event
Horizon Software (see ad-
dress above).

Stor-a-lot, an address-file
and mailing-list system. This
program, which stores 90 ad-
dresses, has full editing,
search, and alphabetizing
features. Data may be output
to the screen or printer. Cas-
sette, $7.50. Event Horizon
Software (see address
above).

Other Computers

Airport, an air-traffic simula-
tion. This action game tests
your skill as an air-traffic con-
troller. Hight plans, landings,
take-offs, or transits are all
radioed to you. Guide 26 air-
craft safely and you win. But
violate FAA rules with a
"near miss" and you're fired.

For the Heath /Zenith operat-
ing systems and the Osborne
1; floppy disk, $19.95. The
Software Toolworks, Suite
1118, 15233 Ventura Blvd.,
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.

Pen-Pal, a word-processing
program (see description
under Apple). For the Frank-
lin Ace; floppy disk, $59.95.
Howard W. Sams & Co., 4300
West 62nd St., Indianapolis,
IN 46268. ■

This is a list of software packages that have been received by
BYTE Publications during the past month. The list is correct to
the best of our knowledge, but it is not meant to be a full de-
scription of the product or the forms in which the product is
available. In particular, some packages may be sold for several
machines or in both cassette and floppy-disk format; the prod-
uct listed here is the version received by BYTE Publications.
This is an all-inclusive list that makes no comment on the
quality or usefulness of the software listed. \X/e regret that we
cannot review every software package we receive. Instead,
this list is meant to be a monthly acknowledgment of these
packages and the companies that sent them. All software re-
ceived is considered to be on loan to BYTE and is returned to
the manufacturer after a set period of time. Companies send-
ing software packages should be sure to include the list price
of the packages and |where appropriate) the alternate forms
in which they are available.

...And Here.

NEW YORK
Amherst

Gifford Computer Systems

(716) 833-4758

Deer Park

Datapro Systems Inc.

(516) 595-1311

Staten Island

John D. Owens Assoc.

(212)448-6283

NORTH CAROLINA

Greensboro

General Semantics Computers

(919) 378-1500

OREGON

Portland

Microwest Computer Products

(503) 238-6274

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia

Information Network Systems
(215)364-8220

RHODE ISLAND

Coventry

Key Micro Systems
(401)828-7270

TEXAS

Austin

CPA Systems Inc.

(512)458-9281

Dallas

Dator Systems

(214)521-0915

Houston

Gifford Computer Systems

(713)877-1212

Seguin

CPA Systems, Inc.

(512) 379-0660

VIRGINIA

Woodbridge
ONETCO

(703) 590-5464

WISCONSIN

Greenfield

Byte Shop of Milwaukee

(414)281-7004

Madison

Beam International

(608) 255-2325

CANADA
Vancouver, B.C.

Dynacomp Business Computers Ltd.

(604) 872-7737

Coquitlam, B.C.

CSC System Center Ltd.

(604)941-0622

THE PHILIPPINES

Quezon City

Corona International Inc.
78-34-71

UNITED KINGDOM

Swansea

Comcen Technology Ltd.

(0792) 796000

(omp

uPro.

A GODBOUT COMPANY

3506 Breakwater Court, Hayward, CA 94545

©1983 CompuPro

542 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

It's TVue - We Did It !

We have met or have beaten most advertised prices.

Don't be foolish. Buy Direct!

EAGLE

OUR PC FLYS

IBM Compatible

Simply a better PC. All models

available for immediate delivery

Call Lowest S

Mannesmann Tally

• Standard — 7 x 9 160 CPS

• NLQ — 40 x 18 40 CPS

• 2K Buffer and Tractor Standard

160 L 80 col. Call Best Seller

180 L 132 col. Call Best Seller

IDS

• Proportional Spacing

• 8 Character Styles

• 200 CPS Bi Directional

• Color Optional

• Sheet Feed • Graphics
. 3.4K Buffer

Prism 80

Prism 132 and Micro Prism

S Call

Red Hot
Special I

Novation
J-CAT

• 300 BPS Modem

• Originate/Auto Answer
Sizzling S849S

ALTOS
ZENITH

TELEVIDEO

SANYO

USI

TRANSTAR

FRANKLIN

HAYES

NOVATION

VDS

EAGLE

RITEMAN

OMNITEC
VENTEL
AMDEK

BMC

MICOM

DATASOUTH

TAXAN
DIABLO

NEC

EPSON

U.S. ROBOTICS

PRINTEK

OKIDATA

OSBORNE

COMREX

DAISYWRITER

JUKI

STAR

For Price Quotes and Ordering Call:

1-800-328-8905

For Technical Information and

Arizona Orders, Call:

602-949-8218

For Shipping and Order Status Information,
Call: 602-990-7556

LIBERTY

GROUR INCORPORATED

4221 Winfield Scon Plaza • Scottsdale, Az 85251

GTC

ADDS

DEC

C ITOH

SILVER-REED

MANY OTHERS

Everything in
computer related
products:

• Computers

• Modems

• Printers

• Software

• Monitors

• Terminals

• Accessories

• Paper

• Ribbons

• Diskettes

• Office Furniture

Prices listed reflect a cash discount and are subject to change without notice We welcome Certified and Cashiers Checks. Bank Wires and Money Orders C.O.D.s are shipped with a minimum COD
charge Allow 3-7 days for personal checks to clear Product is subject to availability Equipment is in factory sealed boxes with manufacturer's warranty There will be a re-stocking charge for returned
merchandise Call first for an RMA number Software not warranteed for suitability No return of Software which has been opened Add 2% for shipping & handling charges |minlmum S2 50) All equipment
shipped FOB Scottsdale, Az 85251

Circle 263 on inquiry card.

I

fe»

i

MODEMS

HAYES

S m a rt

Smart 1200 (1 200 Baud}
Chronograph

Micfomodem 100

Micromodem II

Micromodem II (with term) .

Smart Com II

Smart 1 200B

NOVATION

J Cat

Cat

O-Cal

103 Smart Cat

Apple Cat II

103/21 2 Smart Cat

212 Apple Cat II

ApplcCatll212Upgrade-.
ANCHOR

Mark I (RS-232)

Mark II (Atari)

Mark III (T.l 99)

Mark IV (CBM-PET)

Mark V (Osborne)

Mark VI (IBM-PC)

Mark VII (Auto Ans/Auto Dial)

Mark VIII

TRS-80 Color Computer
9 Volt Power Supply

$219.00
$509.00
$199.00
$309.00
$279.00
$299.00
$99.00
5469.00

$1 19.00
$144.00
$159.00
$189 00
$279.00
$439.00
$609.00
$309.00

..$79 00
..$79.00
$ 1 09 00
$125.00

$95 00
$179.00

$119.00
$269 00

$99 00
$9 00

ZENITH
ZT1 Terminal $369 00

HEWLETT
PACKARD

HP 75 $749.00

HP41C $149.00

HP41CV $209.00

HP41CX $259.00

HP 10C S52.00

HP 11C $69.00

HP 12C $92.00

HP 15C $92. OO

HP 16C $92.00

For HP41/41CV

HPIL Module S99.O0

HPIL Cassette or Printer S359.00

Card Reader S1 44.00

Extended Functions Module. . .564.00
Time Module S64.00

IIE-1 S1369.00

IIE-2 S1649.00

HE 3 $2399.00

IIE-4 $3199.00

PCE 51579.00

PC-1 $2399.00

PC 2 $2799.00

PC-XL $3599.00

1 620 $3599.00

1630 $5499.00

1640 $6499.00

Cym a Software CALL

MONITORS

AMDEK

3O0G $149.00

300A $159.00

310A $169.00

Color I S279.00

Color II $399.00

Color III $349.00

Color IV $999.00

USI

Pi 1. 9 G $99.00

Pi 2, 12" G $1 19.00

Pi 3. 12 A $149.00

Pi 4. 9' A $139.00

1400 Color $299.00

ZENITH

ZVM 122A $109.00

ZVM 123G $99.00

BMC

12'" Green $85.00

9191 AU 13" Color $249.00

TAXAN

12 N Green $129.00

12 A Amber $139.00

12 RGB I S299.00

JB 1260 $119.00

JB 1201 $149.00

JB 1205 $169.00

JC 1 21 5 $299.00

JC 1216 $429.00

JC 1203 $469.00

GORILLA

12" Amber $95.00

12 Green $89.00

PC-1 500A
S169
SHARP PC-1 250A
■■■■■ SB9

POCKET COMPUTERS

CE-125 Pnnter/Cass. Int.. .. $1 29.00
CE-1 50 Color Pnnt./Cass. Int. . . . 51 72.00

CE-155 8K RAM $94.00

CE-161 16KRAM 5135.00

CE-500 ROM Library . . . each $39.00

Texas Instruments
Tl-aO SS09

CALL FOR PRICIMG ON
TIIVI EX SINCLAIR 1 OOO

16K Memory $44.95

2040 Printer 599.95

-Calc 517.95

Mmdware Printer 599.00

NEC 3550 Printer- S17SS

PERCOM/TANDON
ORIVES

SV«" 320K Floppy $249.00

5 Meg Hard w/Controller. ..$1399.00
10 Meg Hard w/Controller... S1 699. 00
1 5 Meg Hard w/Controller . . . S2095.00
20 Meg Hard w/Controller . . . 52399.00
AMOEK

3 10A Amber Monitor $169.00

DXY 100 Plotter 5599.00

Color II $399.00

AST RESEARCH, INC.

Six Pak Plus... from $279.00

Combo Plus II. ..from... $279. 00

Mega Plus. ..from $309.00

I/O Plus 1 1... from $139.00

QUADBAM

Quadlink $549.00

Quadboard...aslow as. . .$309.00
Quad 51 2 Plus. ..as low as... $259. 00
Quadcolor...aslowas ...$219.00

Chronograph $89.00

Parallel Interface Board . . .$89.00
64K RAM Chips Kit $69.00

MICRO PRO

Word Star Mail Merge $369.00

InloStar $299 00

Spell Star 5159 00

CallStai $15900

MICROSTUF
Crosstalk $129.00

MICROSOFT
Multiplan $179.00

ASHTON-TATE

D Base II $419.00

IUS

EasyWriter II $219.00

EasySpeller $1 19.00

EasyFiler $239.00

CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE

1stClassMail/Form Letter .. $79.00

The Home Accountant Plus . $99.00

SYNAPSE

File Manager $8g.00

LOTUS

123 $329.00

PFS
APPLE IBM

File $79.00 $89.00

Report $79.00 $79.00

Graph $79.00 $89.00

Write n/a $89.00

KRAFT

IBM Joystick $55.00

IBM Paddles 539 00

PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE

PC PlusWord Processing ... $299.00

KOALA

Koala Pad

Apple $85.00

IBM $95.00

Atari $75.00

CBM 64 $75.00

PAPER SUPPLIES

l or2 Address Ubels(Tract.Feed)..$9 95
15 Report PaperfTract Feed) . . 524 95
8' : BlnkWhtPapenTract.Feed)..$ 19.95

MBC-550PC 77777.-.. CALL

MBC-555PC CALL

MBC 1 100 51599.00

MBC1150 52099.00

MBC 1200 51999 00

MBC1250 52399 00

FDD 3200 320K Drive . .539900
FDD 6400-64K Drive. .$499 00
PR 5500 Printer $699.00

PRINTERS

EPSON

MX80 FT. MX100. RX80.

FX80. FX100 CALL

OKIDATA

82. 83. 84. 92. 93 CALL

STAR

Delta 10 $559.00

Gemini 1 0X $299.00

Gemini P15 5449.00

Serial Board $75.00

SMITH CORONA

TP-2 $469.00

Tractor Feed $1 19.00

C.ITOH

Gorilla $209.00

Prownter 851 OP $379.00

Prownter 1 550P $68900

Starwriter F10-40P $1 149 00

Pnntmaster F10-55P $1549.00

Tractor Feed 5199.00

OAISYWRITER

2000 Letter Quality $1 049.00

2500. ..NEW CALL

Tractor Feed 5109 00

DIABLO

620 5949.00

630 $1749.00

IOS

Call lor ALL Configurations on

IDS PRISM PRINTERS.

NEC

8023 AN $399.00

8025 $729.00

3510 $1449.00

3530 51 499 00

3550 51799.00

7710/7730 S1949.00

BMC

401 Letter Quality 5699.00

BX-80 Dot Matrix 5259.00

COMREX

Com writer II Parallel Printer . . . $549.00

MANNSEMAN TALLY

Spirit 80 S3 19 00

MT-1 60L 5589.00

MT-180L 5829.00

TRANSTAR CALL

TOSH I BA CALL

CABLES & CONNECTIONS

Atari to Parallel 529.00

Atari to Serial 529.00

Apple to Parallel $69.00

Apple to Parallel/Graphics. ..599.00

Apple to Serial 589 00

IBM to Parallel 535.00

IBM to Serial 529 00

Parallel to Parallel 529.00

Serial to Serial 529 00

Grappler Plus 5129.00

PKASO 5139.00

Atari to Modem Cable $29.00

CBM 64 to IEEE Board 579 00

Apple 80-Column Card 515900

CBM Pet to Parallel 599.00

CBM Pet to Serial 589.00

f.300.6^8.33f1 1-800-268 • *559 1-800-233-8950

In PA call (717)327-9575, Oept. 1201
477 E. Third St. Williamsport, PA 17701
Order Status #: 327-9576

In NV call (702)588-5654, Dept. 1 201 In Toronto call (41 6)828-0866, Oept. 1 201 In PA call (71 7)327-9575, Oept. 1 201

I P.O. Box 6689, Stateline, NV 89449 2505 Dunwin Ct.,Unlt 1 B, 477 E. Third St. Williamsport, PA 17701

Order Status #: 588-5654 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada LSLITI Order Status #: 327-9576

Order Status #: 828-0866

No risk, no deposit on C.O.D. orders. Pre-paid orders receive free shipping within the UPS Continental United States with no waiting period for certified
checks or money orders. Add 3% (minimum $5.00) shipping and handling on all C.O.D. and credit card orders. Larger shipments may require additional
charges. NVand PA residents add sales tax. All items subject to availability and price change. We stock manufacturer's and third party software for most all
computers on the market. Call today for our new catalog.

COLOR COMPUTERS

ACE 1 000. ACE 1 200. ACE 1 200 OMS.
ACE1 tOO PRO PACK: ACE 1000. ACE
10 Onve & Controller. 80 Column Card.

ACECalc & ACEWriter CALL

APPLE He STARTER PACK
64K Apple He. Disk Drive and Controller.
80 Column Card & Monitor III..,
COMPLETE $1599.00

MICRO-SCI
Apple & Franklin

A2 $219.00

A4° $299.00

A7° $319.00

C2 Controller $79.00

C47 Controller $89 00

RAMA

Elite I (Apple/ Franklin) $279.00

Elite II (Apple/Franklin) ., $319.00

Elite III (Apple/Frank lin) .. $569.00

VISICORP

FOR APPLE. IBM & FRANKLIN

Visidex $189.00

Visihle $189.00

V'Siplot $159.00

Visiterm $89.00

Visit rend/ Plot $229.00

VisiSchedule $229.00

OesktoD Plan $1 89.00

Visicalc4 (IBM) $169.00

Visicalc Advanced lie S 309. 00

Stretch Calc $89.00

Visicorp prices for IBM may vary slightly
LJK

Letter Perfect Apple $109.00

Data Perfect Apple $75.00

AXLON
Apple/ Franklin 128K Ram .., $299. 00
Apple/Franklin Ram Disk ... $729 00

rvipc

Bubdisk [1 28K Non Volilare) . . . $649.00
WICO

Joystick $21.95

Famous Red Ball $23.95

Power Grip $21. 95

Three- Way Deluxe $22.95

Atan/VIC Trackball $34.95

Apple Trackball $59.95

KRAFT

Atari Single Fire $1 3.00

Atari Switch Hitter $16.00

Apple Joystick $44.00

Apple Paddles $39.00

PUTER MAIL ORDER

_K commodore

CBM
8032

CBIVIG-4 ...821 S
VIC SO $89

CALL ON
Executive 64 Portable
1 520 Color Printer/Plotter $1 69 00
1525 80 Column Printer $219 00

1530 Datasette $69 00

1541 Single Disk Drive $24900

1600 VIC Modem $59 00

1650 AD/AA Modem $89 00

1702 14 Color Monitor $24900

pet 64 j56g 00

Pet 4032 ssgg 00

CBM 8032 $599 OO

Super Pet $999 00

B128-80 $769 00

2031 $299 00

8050 $949 00

8250 SI 199 00

908° $1999 00

9090 $2199 00

4023 $379 00

6400 $1399 00

64 K Upgrade $269.00

Spell Master $149 00

Z-Ram $549.00

Silicon Office $749 00

The Manager $209 00

Soft Rom $1 29 00

Jinsam CALL

CalcResult 64 5139.00

CodeWnter 64 $75.00

VisiCalc $169.00

PROFESSIONAL
SOFTWARE

Word Pro 2 Plus $159.00

Word Pro 3 Plus $189.00

Word Pro 4 Plus $279.00

Word Pro 5 Plus $279.00

InfoPro $1 79.00

Administrator $399.00

Power $79.00

Word Pro 64 Plus $65.00

CAROCO

for VIC aD/64

Light Pen $32.00

Cassette Interface $29.00

Parallel Printer Interface ... .$69.00
3SlotExpans. Interface (20). . .$32.00
6SlotExpans. Interface (20). . $79.00

A

ATARI

HOME COMPUTERS

ATARI BOOXI

ATARI BOOXI

ATARI 1SOOXL

ATARI 4QO

ATARI BOO

.$149
.$269
.CALL
. CALL
.CALL

1010 Program Recorder $74 00

102040COI Printer/Plotter $249 00

1025 80Col Printer $449.00

102 7 Letter Quality Printer $299 00

1050 Disk Drive $379 00

1030 Direct Connect Modem . .CALL

CX30 Paddles $1 2.00

CX40 Joystick $8.00

CX42 Remote Joystick CALL

CX77 Touch Tablet $69.00

CX80 Trak Ball $49 00

CX85 Keypad $10500

CX418 Home Manager $69.00

CX488 Communicator II $229 00

KX 7098 Atari Accountant , $209.00
KX7101 Entertainer $69 00

KX7 102 Arcade Champ $75 00

ALIEN

Atari Voice Box $11900

Apple Voice Box $149.00

MEMORY BOAROS

Ax Ion 32 K Ram $59.00

Axlon 48K Ram $99.00

Axlon 1 28 K Ram $299.00

Intec 32K Board $5900

Intec 48K Board $85.00

Intec 64 K Board (400 only). .. $99.00

Intec Real Time Clock $39.00

DISK & CART HOLOERS

Flip-n-File 10 $4.00

Fhp-nFile 50 $1 9.00

Fhp-nFile 400/800 Cart $19,00

PEFGCM

CM. O. TOP so

APPLE/FRANKLIN

1 . Choplifter $27.00

2. Bank Street Writer $55.00

3. PFS: File $89.00

4. Vistcalc $1 79.00

5. Home Accountant $55.00

6. Zaxxon $29.00

7. Most Amazing Thing $28.00

8 Visifile $189.00

9. Fathoms 40 $19.00

10. Deadline $35.00

1 1 PFS: Report $89.00

12. Zork III $29.00

13. Frogger $24.00

14. Pacemaker $24.00

1 5. Snooper Troops si $32.00

16. Delta Drawing $35.00

1 7 Castle Wolfenstine $24.00

18. Wayout $29.00

19 Canyon Climber $1 9.00

20. Bandits $26.00

CBM 64

1 . Word Pro 64 $65.00

2. Jumpman $29.00

3. Gorf (20/64) $14.95

4. Microspec Data Base 64 ... $69.00

5. Logo 64 $39.00

6. Microspec Gen. Ledger 64. . .$79.00

7. Zork III $29.00

8. Frogger (64) $23.00

9. Quick Brown Fox (20/64) ...$49.00

10. Shamus $29.00

11 . Deadline $29.00

12. Assembler 64 $14.95

13. Zork II $29.00

14. 3-D Man $14.00

15. Protector $32.00

16. Starcross $29.00

17. Easy Mail 64 $14.95

18. Grave Robber $1 1 .00

19. Wall Street $19.00

20. Trash Man $32. OO

1 . Donkey Kong $39

2. Zaxxon $29

3. E.T. Phone Home $39

4. Miner 2049er $35

5. Dig Dug $33

6. Choplifter $29

7. Donkey Kong. Jr $39

8. Canyon Climber $25

9. Snooper Troops #2 $34

10. Word Wizard $59

1 1 . Picnic Paranoia $34

12. Jumpman $29

13. Shamus $34

14. Letter Perfect $109

15. File Manager 800 $69

16. Preppie $24

17. Astro Chase $25

18. Blade/ Black Hole $27,

19. Pac Man $33.00

20. Baja Buggies $25,00

ATARI

.00

21

.00

22

00

23

00

24

.00

2S

.00

26

.00

27

.00

28

00

29

00

30

.00

31

00

32

00

33

.00

34

.00

35

.00

36

AT88-S1 $329,001

AT88-A2 $269.00

AT88-S2 $569.00

AT8B-S1 PD $469.00

AT88-D0A $145.00

RFD40-S1 $449.00

RFD40-A1 $279.00

RFD40-S2 $729.00

RFD44-S1 $539.00

RF044-S2 $869,001

TX 99-S1 (Texas Insl.) S279 00 1

RAIMA
1000 Atari Disk Drive . $319 00

TRAX
AT-D2 CALL

FLOPPY DISKS

MAXELL

MD-1 $29.00

MD-2 $39. OO

FD-I(B-) $40.00

F0-2I8 OS DD|..-. $50.00

ELEPHANT

SW'SS SD $18.50

5V. SS OD $24.95

SVV DS DD $29.95

VERBATUM

5V. SS DD $26.00

5V«" DS DD $36.00

HEAD
Disk Head Cleaner $14.95

Crush. Crumbles Chomp. $24.00

Wayout $27.00

Zork II $29.00

Visicalc $159.00

Atari Writer $49.00

Three Little Pigs $25.00

Upper Reaches olApshai ,. .$16.00

Starbowl Football $24.95

Drelbs $26.00

Protector $34.00

Frogger $25.00

Lunar Leeper $24.00

Wizard of Wor $34.00

Kindercomp $21. 00

Moon Shuttle $22.00

Home Accountant $55.00

Temple ot Apshai $29.00

Spell Wizard $39 00

Nautilus $26.00

40. 0 Riley s M

ne $22.00

f-300.643.55ff 1-SOO -268 -4559 f-800-235-8950

In NV call r7l»ISBB.lUMU n-n. ,™« ._ -,- _ • w ^^ ^^ fc •* * \* ^ * ^**

In NVcall (702)588-5654, Dept. 1201
P.O. Box 6689, Stateline, NV 89449
Order Status #: 588-5654

In Toronto call (416)828-0866, Dept. 1201
2505 Dunwin Ct.,Unit 1 B,
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada LSLITI
Order Status #: 828-0866

In PA call (717)327-9575, Dep». 1201

477 E. Third St. Williamsport, PA 17701

Order Status #: 327-9576

APO & FPO: Add 3% (minimum S5.00) shipping and handling

Wim

wwmmm

ualified Educational Institutions.
Circle 104 on inquiry card.

(minimum $5.00)

Clubs and Newsletters

Update for
Human Services

People who work in the
health and human services
can subscribe to a newsletter,
Healthcare Microcomputing
Network, that intends to intro-
duce improvements in micro-
computer usage to healthcare
facilities. Subscribers are
linked with other health-re-
lated corporations through
both the publication and Net-
ivork's on-line database ser-
vice with emphasis on cur-
rent specialized news about
the microcomputer industry.
The Network is published
monthly by Cronin and As-
sociates of Minneapolis, Min-
nesota. For further details,
contact Healthcare Microcom-
puting Network, Suite 520,
6600 France Ave. S, Minnea-
polis, MN 55435, (612)
926-5827.

And Logo Goes On

The National Logo Exchange
(NLX) is a monthly newslet-
ter that provides practical
ideas and tips for teachers
who use the Logo language
in their classrooms. The
newsletter provides a forum
for sharing Logo ideas, tech-
niques, and philosophies.
Articles are written by class-
room teachers and profes-
sional educators to provide
up-to-date reviews of recent
Logo versions and resources.
Subscriptions are $25 a year
in the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico, and $30 elsewhere.
Contact the National Logo Ex-
change, POB 5341, Charlottes-
ville, VA 22905.

Bimonthly
Explorations

Owners of the Explorer-85
computer and S-100 bus can
join a users group that pro-
duces a newsletter every two

months called Explorations.
New issues as well as back
issues are available for $1
each. For details, contact
Leroy W. Marshall, 808 Vas-
sar Lane, Schaumburg, IL
60193, (312) 980-8980.

Pascal for
Advanced Placement

A free newsletter is de-
signed to share beneficial
ideas for those who teach
Advanced Placement Com-
puter Science (APCS), which
uses only Pascal. The APCS
Newsletter will be produced
monthly and will raise such
issues as software in the
classroom, teaching ideas,
and materials for teaching in-
troductory Pascal. Those in-
terested are encouraged to
send their name, address,
and hardware description to
Tim Corica, APCS Neiosletter,
The Peddie School, Hights-
town, NJ 08520.

Computer Group
Has Good News

The Christian Computer
Users Association (CCUA)
serves as a clearinghouse for
information on software and
systems of interest to Chris-
tian churches. It produces
the quarterly CCUA News,
operates a software ex-
change, and runs the com-
puter-based Good News In-
formation Service. A one-
year membership costs $15.
For more information, con-
tact Douglas Vos, Christian
Computer Users Association,
1145 Alexander St. SE, Grand
Rapids, MI 49507, (616)
241-0368.

Tlmex/Slnclalr
In the Finger Lakes

A group for users of Timex/
Sinclair computers is forming

in the Finger Lakes region of
New York state between
Rochester and Syracuse.
Anyone interested can send
inquiries to Mark Tepper, 67
North Main St., Geneva, NY
14456.

Schools Use
Microcomputers

The Center for Social Orga-
nization of Schools of the
Johns Hopkins University of
Baltimore, Maryland, pre-
pares and distributes a news-
letter entitled School Uses of
Microcomputers. These reports
from a national survey in-
clude charts on the percen-
tage of teachers who are com-
puterists, how many schools
have computers, and the
amount of use they receive
during the day. It includes
tables on the uses of drills
and applications of micro-
computers in elementary and
secondary schools. For fur-
ther information, contact Dr.
Henry Jay Becker, Center for
Social Organization of
Schools, Johns Hopkins
University, 3505 North
Charles St., Baltimore, MD
21218.

Participants Welcome

People who are interested
in joining a 68000-software
users group that is forming in
southern California are en-
couraged to contact Carl
Cagan, 211 North El Camino
Real, Suite 101C, Encinitas,
CA 92024, (619) 942-0744.

Connect With
Micro Decision Users

The Connecticut Micro
Decision Users Group
(CMDUG) of Orange, Con-
necticut, meets on the sec-
ond Wednesday of every
month for anyone interested

in the Micro Decision com-
puter. A subscription to the
group's quarterly CMDUG
Newsletter is included with
membership. The fee is $12
per year. For details such as
locations and times of meet-
ings, contact Dave Mintie,
CMDUG, 226 Boston Post
Rd., Orange, CT 06477.

Color Computers
In Philadelphia

A section of the Philadel-
phia Area Computer Society
(PACS) is called the Color
Computer Users Group. It
meets on the third Saturday
of the month at 10 a.m. in the
Science Building of LaSalle
College. Further information
is available from Arnold
Weiss, Apt. 1626, Kennedy
House, 1901 J. F. Kennedy
Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Louisiana IBM PC
Users Group

The NW Louisiana IBM
Personal Computer Users
Group meets on the third
Tuesday of each month at 7
p.m. For further information
on the club's activities, con-
tact Harry Friedman, NW
Louisiana IBM Personal
Computer Users Group, 945
Dudley Dr., Shreveport, LA
71104.

For Friendly Folks

Follklore is a quarterly pub-
lication circulated to all sub-
scribers and members of
FOLLK. Designed for Friends
of LISP/Logo Kids (FOLLK),
it contains articles, columns,
and code that relate to the ex-
panding field of artificial in-
telligence. The group has a
hotline and a bulletin-board
system. Membership is $15 a
year for students and senior
citizens, , $25 for a regular

546 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 148 on inquiry card.

membership, and $100 for
companies or institutions. A
subscription to Follklore alone
is $7.50. For details, contact
FOLLK, Friends of LISP/
Logo Kids, 254 Laguna
Honda Blvd., San Francisco,
CA 94116.

Group for the
Tl 99/4A

The International 99/4A
Users Group (IUG) is seek-
ing members and people in-
terested in the TI 99/4A. The
group produces a bimonthly
newsletter called 4A Forum.
Submissions to the newslet-
ter are welcome. The annual
membership fee is $5. For
details, contact Jim Robinson,
International Users Group
(IUG), 1778 Hays Dr., Louis-
ville, CO 80027.

Osborne Group
in Chicago

Chicago's First Osborne
Group (CFOG) meets regu-
larly and produces a monthly
newsletter entitled PIP (Pe-
ripheral Interchange Pro-
gram) that includes inter-
views, an events calendar,
software reviews, and ar-
ticles. Contributions to the
newsletter are welcome. The
club provides a bulletin-
board service to members,
and membership is open to
anyone for $20 annually.
Contact CFOG, Rob Troxel,
POB 943, Libertyville, IL
60048, (312) 356-6889.

Meet with Antelope

The Antelope Valley Com-
modore User Group meets

on the first Saturday of every
month. For further details,
contact Jim Haner, Antelope
Valley Commodore User
Group, POB 4436, Lancaster,
CA 93539, (805) 942-2626.

HBO in Canada
for the Atari

The Hamilton, Burlington,
Oakville (HBO) Atari User
Group meets on the third
Wednesday of each month at
the Port Nelson United
Church Hall, 3132 South
Drive, Burlington, Ontario. A
newsletter is produced that
contains details about meet-
ings, book reviews, and club
business. Membership fees
are $25 annually for in-
dividuals and $35 for a
family. If you wish to attend
a meeting a $4 fee will be
charged. For information,
contact William Morris, 67
Moxley Dr., Hamilton, On-
tario L8T 3Y8, Canada, (416)
388-3552.

New Delhi
Enthusiasts

A home computer users
club, the ZX Club, meets
twice a month in New Delhi,
India, to exchange the news
and solve problems encoun-
tered by users of the ZX81.
Owners and users of any
home computer are wel-
come, however. The mem-
bers of the club have devel-
oped a music program for the
ZX81. For further details,
contact ZX Club, h-35 d
Saket, New Delhi 110 017,
India. ■

If you would like BYTE readers to know about your club or
newsletter send the details accompanied by no more than one
newsletter to Clubs and Newsletters, BYTE Publications, POB
372, Hancock, NH 03449. Overseas groups are encouraged to
participate. Please allow at least three months for your
announcement to appear.

Give Persona! BASIC™a try
And win Hawaii!

Enter the Personal BASIC
Hawaiian Holiday Contest today!
Because you might become the winner of a trip to Hawaii for
two— featuring airfare, hotel accommodations, a rental car and
$500 spending money.

Other prizes include a $500 shopping spree and five $100
shopping sprees — to be spent in those stores where the winners
purchased Personal BASIC, the world's easiest -to -learn
BASIC language.

Call toll free for the participating dealer nearest you: (800)
227-1617, ext. 420. In California rpri l"*\|/"~ IT A I

call: (800) 772-3545, ext. 420. ^ LMvjI I/\L

But hurry, contest ends January 31, 1984. RESEARCH "

The Digital Research logo and products are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of Digital Research Inc. ©1983 Digital Research Inc.

SOFTWARE

r 1

Software Fashion
P.O. Box986l,Wethersfield,
CT 06109—0861, or call Linda
to order 1 (800) 223-1796. NY

residents call 1 (212) 371-1900.

Hey Linda, I know a good thing when I see it. Send me

computer shirts as indicated below. I'm enclosing $ at $9.00

plus $2.25 postage and handling for each shirt. (CT residents add
7'/2% sales tax). Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Please print clearly.

□ MC DVisa □Check/M.O. card # . exp. date_

Name

Address

City, State, Zip .

Qty.

Color (Black/White)

Size (S,M,L,XL)

Style (a,b,c,d)

Circle 397 on inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

547

WHY YOU SHOULD

RECOMMEND

AKAYPROEVEN

IF YOU DIDN'T

BUYONEYOURSELE

If you're happy with the
computer you now own, we re
happy for you. Because we both
know what you went through
to buy it.

More than likely, it was a
long year's education that sent
you into a complex maze of trial
and error. You spent a lot of
time asking questions in com-
puter stores. More time hunt-
ing for answers in computer
books. Even more time inves-
tigating all the hardware, let
alone software options you
had to consider.

It was a hard way to get
what you needed. A year that
earned you an honorary degree
in computer engineering and the
status of a computer buff.

But just between us buffs,
would you recommend a year
like that to a friend?

FOR THE FIRST-TIME

BUYER, K AYPRO IS A

GODSEND.

We think the 'hard way' is the
wrong way to have to buy a com-
puter. After all, a business person
shouldn't be required to make de-

Registered Trademarks: Apple - Apple Computer. Inc., IBM - IBM
Corp., CP/M - Digical Research. Inc., Z-80 - Zilog. M-Basic - Microsoft,
Inc., Tandy, TRS-80 -Tandy Corpo ration, Osborne — Osborne Computer
Corporation, Xerox - Xerox Corporation. Prices based on published
informaiion as of July 15, 1981. © 1981 Kaypro Corporation

cisions better left to an engineer.

Trying to find compatible
interfaces and software packages
alone would drive most people
up the wall (remember?).

So, we've taken a different

approach to making and selling
our Kaypro II. Rather than a
starter system, with options you
buy piece for piece, it's designed
with all the integrated hardware
and software it needs to be fully
functional.

Off the shelf, Kaypro II is
completely ready for business. We
think that's what the first-time
buyer really needs.

IT'S A COMPLETELY
INTEGRATED SYSTEM.

Since we don't consider a
monitor, disk drives, interfaces or

other hardware as optional extras,
all Kaypro's hardware comes
complete in an integrated system.
Except, of course, for a printer.
As you know, some people don't
need one. And those wno do
must decide whether they need

dot matrix or letter quality
printing.

What's complete on a

rKaypro II?

64K RAM, Z-80 micro-
processor. A 9" green screen

monitor. Dual disk drives, the

same used by IBM. A detach-
able keyboard that's more com-
plete than you'll find on the latest
Apple. Built-in interfaces for both
a printer and communications.

In other words, all the hard-
ware you'd recommend to a first-
time buyer. In one complete
package.

IT COMES COMPLETE
WITH SOFTWARE.

While businesses can be
very different, the fact is that 95%
of all business needs can be ful-
filled by a series of three business
applications programs. Word
Processing/Spelling, Data Base
Management and Financial
Spreadsheeting.

It's the software that's
optional with other computers.

But it too comes complete with
a Kaypro.

And with its CP/M operat-
ing system, Kaypro II is capable
of running thousands of other
business programs, to fill more
specialized needs.

IT SELLS FOR $1595,
COMPLETE.

People are bound to ask you
how much they should spend on
a computer. There is, of course,
an obvious answer: as little as
possible and still get a serious
business system, complete with all
the functions they need.

At $1595, Kaypro II is
the least expensive serious busi-
ness system we know of on the
market today.

There are basic starter sys-
tems advertised for less. But their
optional hardware and software
can double or triple their basic
price. So they can end up cost-
ing $2000-$3000 more than
a Kaypro.

A good example is an Apple
He. With a hardware configuration
comparable to Kaypro lis, com-
plete with comparable software, it
lists for an average price of $4400.
$2805 more than a Kaypro.

IT OFFERS

MORE MEMORY FOR

THE MONEY

Since disk drive memory
capacity is always a concern, once
again the idea is to get the most
for the money. With two disk
drives, Kaypro II gives you 400K
for $1595. With equivalent hard-
ware, an IBM gives you 320K for
about $2800. And Apple lie
gives you 286K for about $2400.

So once again, Kaypro II
delivers.

IT HAS POWER

TO SPARE FOR WHAT

MOST BUSINESSES

NEED.

The more you love compu-
ters, the more tempting it is to
recommend a 16-bit vs. 8-bit

machine. You know that 16-bit
systems are a little faster and
have more power to run longer
programs.

However, 16-bitters are far
more expensive than the 8-bit
variety. And, unfortunately, have
only a handful of business appli-
cations software packages that
really take advantage of them.

SPECIFICATIONS

Microprocessor

Perfect Filer

Z-80

Perfect Calc

Operating

spreadsheet

System

Wordstar word

CP/M 2.2

processing

User Memory

The Word Plus

64K

Profit Plan

Disk Drives:

spreadsheet

2 drives, 400K,

M-Basic

unformatted

12 Games

Interfaces

Uniform — allows

1 Serial

computer to

1 Parallel

'read' and 'write'

Keyboard

TRS-80, Osborne,

Detached, 63-key

Xerox disks

with numeric

Dimensions

keypad

Height: 8 inches

Software included:

Width: 18 inches

Perfect Writer

Depth: 15M inches

word processing

Weight: 26 lbs.

Perfect Speller

(portable)

Considering the real needs
and budget limitations of most
small businesses, why suggest a
company limo when a good
company car will do?

Since 75% of all micros
sold today are 8-bit systems, it's
indicative of their capacity to take
care of business. We'd stick with
a Kaypro II.

IT CAN PAY FOR
ITSELF FASTER THAN
MORE EXPENSIVE
COMPUTERS.

Every business person
wants a computer to pay for
itself in increased productivity.

And the faster the better. Perhaps
on this count alone, Kaypro II is
worth recommending.

As a fully functional busi-
ness system for $1595, Kaypro can
win the payout race hands down.

IT'S BECOME A
LEADING SELLER

THANKS TO

COMPUTER BUFFS,

LIKE YOU.

In fact, Kaypro II is one of
the best sellers in the $1000-
$5000 price range. And it got
there largely because of the
enthusiastic word of mouth, and
word of press, of computer
enthusiasts. Many of whom, after
building their own systems,
bought a Kaypro II as their
second computer.

So you certainly won't be
alone if you recommend Kaypro
II to anyone shopping for a first
computer.

Or look at it this way. Once
you tell people about the com-
plete business computer for $1595,
they'll probably stop bugging you
with a lot of questions.

They may even forget to ask
why you didn't buy a Kaypro II
for yourself.

Just between us buffs, we
can't recommend a good answer
for that.

CALL 800-447-4700 FOR
THE DEALER NEAREST YOU.

Circle 249 on inquiry card.

The Complete Business Computer.

Books Received

The ABZ's of Word Processing
for Executives and Professionals,
Robert M. Segal and Susan
B. Kelley. New York: Stravon
Educational Press, 1983; 64
pages, 21.5 by 28 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN 0-87396-097-1,
$10.95.

Applesoft Language, 2nd ed.
Brian D. Blackwood and
George H. Blackwood. In-
dianapolis, IN: Howard W.
Sams & Co., 1983; 280 pages,
15 by 23 cm, softcover, ISBN
0-672-22073-3, $13.95.

Astrology: A Look into the
Future, Sam D. Roberts.
Holzkirchen, West Germany:
Ing. W. Hofacker GmbH,
1982; 140 pages, 13 by 20.5
cm, softcover, ISBN 3-88963-
171-1, $9.95.

BASIC By Design, Andrew
Kitchen. Englewood Cliffs,
NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1983; 514
pages, 17.5 by 23.5 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN 0-13-060269-8,
$18.95.

BASICally Speaking-A
Young Person's Introduction to
Computing, Frances Lieber-
man Cohen. Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall,
1983; 144 pages, 21.5 by 27.8
cm, softcover, ISBN 0-8359-
0333-9, $12.95.

The Blue Book for the Apple
Computer, 3rd ed. Chicago,
IL: WIDL Video Publications,
1983; 850 pages, 21 by 27.5
cm, softcover, ISBN 684-
17927-X, $24.95.

Byting Back, Rick Geary.
Solana Beach, CA: Valley-
ware Publishing, 1983; 104
pages, 21.5 by 13.5 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN none, $3.95.

Computers and Data Process-
ing: Introduction with Basic,
3rd ed. Keith Carver. New
York: John Wiley & Sons,
1983; 544 pages, 17.5 by 25.3
cm, softcover, ISBN 0-471-
09834-5, $19.95.

The Computer Careers Hand-
book, Connie Winkler. New
York: Arco Publishing Inc.,
1983; 160 pages, 20 by 26 cm,
softcover, ISBN 0-668-05530-
8, $7.95.

Computers for Small Busi-
ness, Gary Bencar. Santa Bar-
bara, CA: La Cumbre Pub-
lishing Co., 1983; 158 pages,
13.5 by 21.5 cm, softcover,
ISBN 0-935222-05-7, $9.95.

Computer Graphics and
Reporting Financial Data,
Irwin M. Jarett. New York:
John Wiley & Sons, 1983; 376
pages, 22 by 29 cm, hard-
cover, ISBN 0-471-86761-6,
$49.95.

Computer Programs for Elec-
tronic Analysis and Design,
Dimitri S. Bugnolo. Reston,
VA: Reston Publishing Co.,
1983; 272 pages, 17.5 by 23.3
cm, softcover, ISBN 0-8359-
0874-7, $16.95.

Computer Programs for
Machine Design, Robert J.
Wenzel. Indianapolis, IN:
Howard W. Sams & Co.,

1982; 276 pages, 21 by 27.5
cm, softcover, ISBN 0-672-
21960-3, $21.95.

The Data Factory, Edward
G. Roeske. New York: Your-
don Press, 1983; 104 pages,
15.5 by 22.5 cm, softcover,
ISBN 0-917072-34-0, $17.

The Directory of Office Infor-
mation Systems, 2nd ed. Asso-
ciation of Information Sys-
tems Professionals. New
York: Information Clearing
House, 1983; 310 pages, 21.5
by 28 cm, softcover, ISBN
931634-02-4, $34.95.

The Easy Guide to Your Apple
II, Joseph Kascmer. Berkeley,
CA: Sybex, 1983; 160 pages,
14 by 21 cm, softcover, ISBN
0-89588-122-5, $9.95.

8088 Assembler Language
Programming: The IBM PC,
David C. Willen and Jeffrey I.
Krantz. Indianapolis, IN:
Howard W. Sams & Co.,
1983; 240 pages, 20.5 by 23.5
cm, softcover, ISBN 0-672-
22024-5, $15.95.

Encyclopedia of Computer
Terms, Douglas Downing.
Woodbury, NY: Barron's Edu-
cational Series Inc., 1983; 160
pages, 13.5 by 20.5 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN 0-8120-2519-9,
$6.95.

Fancy Programming in
Applesoft, Gabriel Cuellar.
Reston, VA: Reston Publish-
ing Co., 1983; 272 pages, 15
by 23 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-
8359-1856-4, $14.95.

The Foolproof Guide to
SCRIPSIT Wordprocessing, Jeff
Berner. Berkeley, CA: Sybex,
1983; 208 pages, 18 by 23 cm,
softcover, ISBN 0-89588-098-
9, $11.95.

How to Buy a Business Com-
puter and Get It Right the First
Time, Edward M. Cross.
Reston, VA: Reston Publish-
ing Co., 1983; 224 pages, 17.5
by 23.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-
8359-2922-1, $14.95.

The Illustrated CP/M-Word-
star Dictionary, Russell A.
Stultz. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall, 1983; 272
pages, 15 by 22.5 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN 0-13-450528-X,
$14.95.

Learning Simulation Tech-
niques on a Microcomputer, Pat
Macaluso. Blue Ridge Sum-
mit, PA: Tab Books, 1983; 154
pages, 13 by 21 cm, softcover,
ISBN 0-8306-1535-0, $10.95.

Microcomputer Controlled
Toys & Games & How They
Work, Van Waterford. Blue
Ridge Summit, PA: Tab
Books, 1983; 240 pages, 13 by
21 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-
8306-1407-9, $9.95.

Microcomputer Graphics,
Donald Hearn and M.
Pauline Baker. Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall,
1983; 320 pages, 18.5 by 24.5
cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-13-
580670-4, $24.95.

Microcomputers in Large
Organizations, Thomas

Through the Trap Door

March 1979— $35

Breaking the Sound Barrier

September 1977— $35

BYTE COVERS

The prints shown at left are beautiful Collector Edition Byte Covers,
strictly limited to 750 prints each, and signed and numbered by the
artist, Robert Tinney. Each print is 18 in. x 22 in., and is accompanied
by its own Certificate of Authenticity. To order, use the coupon below.
Visa and MasterCard orders may call 1-504-272-7266.

Please send .

Trap Door prints ($35),.

Through the □ Visa
Card No. _

Breaking the Sound Barrier Expires: _

prints ($35), or sets of both prints Name:

($55)- I have included $3 per order shipping Address:

and handling ($8 overseas). rjity: _

□ I have enclosed check or money order State:

□ MasterCard

_Zip:

Robert Tinney Graphics • 1864 N. Pamela Dr. • Baton Rouge, LA 70815

550 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

William Madron. Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall,
1983; 192 pages, 17.3 by 23.3
cm, softcover, ISBN 0-13-
580787-5, $12.95.

Microcomputers on the Farm,
Jack O. Beasley. Indianapolis,
IN: Howard W. Sams & Co.,
1983; 208 pages, 13.5 by 21.5
cm, softcover, ISBN 0-672-
22011-3, $14.95.

Minute Manual for Apple
Writer II, Jim Pirisino, Colum-
bia, MD: Minuteware, 1983;
100 pages, 14 by 21 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN none, $7.95.

The Official Silicon Valley
Guy Handbook, Patty Bell and
Doug Myrland. New York:
Avon Books, 1983; 128 pages,
13.5 by 20.5 cm, softcover,
ISBN 0-380-84392-7, $3.95.

Powers of Ten, Philip Morri-
son and Phylis Morrison and
the Office of Charles and Ray
Eames. New York: Scientific
American Books Inc., 1983;
176 pages, 22 by 24 cm, hard-
cover, ISBN 0-7167-1409-4,
$29.95.

The Pre-computer Book, F. A.
Wilson. London, England:
Bernard Babani Ltd., 1983; 96
pages, 17.8 by 11 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN 0-85934-090-2,
£1.95.

Science and Engineering Pro-
grams for the Timex/ Sinclair
1000, Cass Lewart. New York:
Micro Text/McGraw-Hill,
1983; 120 pages, 15 by 23 cm,
softcover, ISBN 0-07-037444-9,
$13.95.

Simplified Guide to Small
Computers for Business, Daniel
R. McGlynn. New York: John
Wiley & Sons, 1983; 256
pages, 17.5 by 25 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN 0-471-86853-1,
$14.95.

6502 Systems Programming,
Thomas G. Windeknecht.
Boston, MA: Little, Brown
and Company 1983; 256
pages, 17.8 by 23.5 cm, soft-
cover, ISBN 0-316-94563-3,
$14.50.

Skarbek Software Directory,
3rd ed. Anna and Joe Skar-
bek. St. Louis, MO: Skarbek

Corp. Inc., 1982; 448 pages,
13.5 by 21 cm, softcover, ISBN
none, $14.95.

Soul of CP/M, Mitchell
Waite and Robert Lafore. In-
dianapolis, IN: Howard W.
Sams & Co., 1983; 400 pages,
18.5 by 23 cm, softcover, ISBN
0-672-22030-X, $18.95.

TRS-80 Color Computer In-
terfacing With Experiments,
Andrew C. Staugaard Jr. In-
dianapolis, IN: Howard W.
Sams & Co., 1983; 206 pages,
13.5 by 21.5 cm, softcover,
ISBN 0-672-21893-3, $14.95.

Using & Programming the
TI-99/4A, Frederick Holtz.
Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab
Books, 1983; 224 pages, 19.5
by 23.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-

8306-0620-3, $9.95.

Using COBOL in an MP/M
System, Neil C. Gelb, CDP
Indianapolis, IN: Howard W.
Sams & Co., 1983; 112 pages,
13.5 by 21.5 cm, softcover,
ISBN 0-672-21936-0, $12.95.

VAX-U Assembly Language
Programming, Sara Baase.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall, 1983; 416
pages, 18.5 by 24.5 cm, hard-
cover, ISBN 0-13-940957-2,
$26.95.

Z80 Assembly Language Sub-
routines, Lance A. Leventhal
and Winthrop Saville. Berke-
ley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-
Hill, 1983; 497 pages, 18.5 by
23.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-
931988-91-8, $15.95. ■

This is a list of books received at BYTE Publications during this
past month. Although the list is not meant to be exhaustive,
its purpose is to acquaint BYTE readers with recently published
titles in computer science and related fields. We regret that we
cannot review or comment on all the books we receive; in-
stead, this list is meant to be a monthly acknowledgment of
these books and the publishers who sent them.

COMPLETE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE
FOR YOUR COMPUTER.

THE

V Mfe.

INDISPENSABLE

Hb|V

GUIDE TO

^^r jflHHHk

PERSONAL

BfijC^M

COMPUTER |
NETWORKING '

jg\

is > cj&jM

*tS

.G&^ddL

vYr%t*

\s~ ^^MW^.

*»%fV?>^

\§Md

v*^--

A COMPLETE. "*M

wz^

ANNOTATED LISTING '

w

Of NAMES AND

NUMBERS SO YOU

CANGOONIINE

WITH OVER 400

SYSTEMS ACROSS

THE COUNTRY:
UKTROtti MAU

W BtCAI DMA
©-" MIKFCMtf.

^ :.-.■: . -S

Think of The Computer Phone Book as

the Yellow Pages to keep by your modem.
It's the only annotated directory of all on-
line data bases that tells personal compu-
ter users all about computer networking.

You can connect with over 400 systems
nationwide. Call a business consultant in
L.A., buy a suit in Chicago or check Wall
Street's latest stock report.

To get all the listed numbers, (even the
unlisted) look for The Computer Phone
Book in stores everywhere, or fill out the
coupon. And get a great connection any-
where, anytime.

New American Library, P.O. Box 999,
Bergenfield, N.J. 07621

Please send me copies of (Z5446)

The Computer Phone Book'"at $9.95 each
($12.50 in Canada), plus $1.50postage and
handling per order. I enclose fjj check

S money order (no COD's or cash), or
arge [j Visa Q MasterCard.

Card#

Exp. Date

Signature

Name

City

State

Zip

Allow a minimum of four weeks for delivery. This
offer, prices and numbers, are subject to change
without notice. Offer expires June 30, 1984.

Circle 484 on inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 551

ORYX
SKSTEMS

QUALITY DISCOUNTS

APPLE/
FRANKLIN

ASHTON-TATE

dBase II

.5 399

ASPEN SOFTWARE

Grammat;k

Proofreader

S 60

42

BEAGLE BROS.

Apple Mechanic S 22

DOS Boss 17

Utility City 22

BRODERBUND

Bank Street Water . . . S 55

General Ledger w/AP . 305

Payroll 275

CDEX

"Visicalc Training S 45

CHARLES MANN

Class Scheduling 299

CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE

Home Accountant . . . . S 55

DOW JONES

Market Analyzer $ 245

Market Manager 219

Microscope 569

Series 40
G/L, A/R, A/P eu.

Inventory

Series 9

Peachcalc

Telecommunications

PENGUIN SOFTWARE

Complete Graphics . . . S
Graphics Magician . . .
Complete Graphics/

Apple Tablet

Special Effects

SOFTECH

Basic Compilers

Runtime $

Softeach

UCSD psysleni set ...
Xeno file

SOFTWARE PUBLISHING

PFS; File $

PFS: Graph

PFS: Report

SUPERSOFT

Basic Tutor

Fortran

SYSTEMS PLUS (Z80 req.|
Landlord S

VISICORP

Visicalc (II or HE) .
Visischedule

195
225

279
279

53
45

169
94

469
39

94
94
94

S79
299

179
225

LOGO CORNER

Krell Logo

Abelson Book

Terrapin Logo w/lull documentation

75
15

115

HAYDEN

Piewnter !

HOWARD SOFTWARE

Tax Preparer !

LINK SYSTEMS

Datofox S

Dalalink

108

Call

Call
79

CP/M
SOFTWARE

MICROPRO

Wordstar |Special) . .

[w/CP/M Card.

|7 col. 64K)
Infostor [Includes

CP/M, 70 col.. 64K) .
Pro Pak

iWS/MM/SS'lndex] .

MICROSOFT

Cobol-80

Fortran-80

TASC Compiler

A.L.D.S

Multiplan(DOS)

OMEGA

Locksmith

Inspector

Watson

S 375

375
499

499

145
125
99
169

COMPUVIEW

•V-Edit 8080 Z80,

IBM/PC S 130

•V-Edit CP/M 86.

MS DOS 160

DIGITAL RESEARCH

•Pascal MT < W'SPP .

MAC

SID (8080 Debugger!
ZSID (Z801 Debugger

CP/M 2.2

C Basic 2

PL/1-80

69

47

PEACHTREE (CP/M)

Peochpak 40 G'L'A'R
♦ A/P [Special] S

389
85
68
90
140
110
375

49
39
49
39

49

LEXISOFT

•Spellb.nde, S 275

MARK OF THE UNICORN

•Final Word S 229

INFOCOM

•Deadline

' Stare ross

'Suspended

•Zork. I, II, III (each|

Planet Fall

d-BASE II CORNER

Ashton-Tate

d-Base II

$

Call
269
475
225

99

199
60

15
20

349
199

Bottom Line Strategist

FPL

Human Soft

dBase Plus

S

Fox & Geller

Quick Code

s

D Util

Software Banc

d-Base II User s Guide:

$

Anderson-Bell

s

Tylog Systems

s

'All above available on PC-DOS

MICROPRO

•WordStar ..

$ Call

•InloStai 275

■Pro-Pack (WS/MM/SS

Index) S Call

All others S Call

MICROSOFT

Basic 80 S 249

Basic Compiler 289

Fortran 80 330

Cobol 80 499

Macro 80 150

MuMalh/MuSimp 194

MuLisp/MuStar 156

•Multiplan 175

MICROSTUF

•Crosstalk S 1 35

ORGANIC SOFTWARE

•Dalebook J

'Milestone

PICKLES & TROUT

CP/M lor TRS-II S

PRO/TEM SOFTWARE

•Footnote S

REVASCO

Z80 Disassembler S

SORCIM

'Supercalc II $

Superwriter
(w/Speller 8. Mailer) . 1

SELECT

Select Word
Processor S

229
229

105

85

179
179

PEACHTREE CORNER

► PeachPak 4 (GL, AP, AR| $ 237

► General Ledger / Accounts Payable / Accounts
Receivable I Sales Invoicing / Inventory Control /
PeachPay Payroll Each 399

► PeochTexi 1 60

► PeochTexi w/ Random House Thesaurus 195

► Spelling Proofreader 95

► PeachCalc 90

► Job Cost System 399

► Client Posting & Accounting 399

► Graphics Language 275

► Business Graphic System 199

NORTHWEST ANALYTICAL

STAR SOFTWARE SYSTEM

•Stalpak S 365

G/L, A/R, A/P or Pay . S 349

OASIS

'Legal Time, Billing. ... 845

The Word Plus S 120

Properly Mgmt 845

Punctualion and Style 99

Formats

All prices below are lor 8" standard. Other formats ore

available. Some formats sublet to Download lee and

>

\

require minimum 2 weeks for delivery. Please inquire.

j

SUPERSOFT

•Diagnostic II S 89

Disk Doctor 75

•Fortran 4 299

Basic 8086 225

C Cross Assembler ... 400

'Scratchpad 219

T MAKER III 220

IBM /PC

Please see CP/M
listing. All products
with a * in front are
also made for
PC/DOS and are
priced the same
unless otherwise
specified.

ALPHA SOFTWARE

Data Base Mgr. II .... S 195

Mailing List 72

Executive Pkg 105

Type Faces 99

Question 35

Apple- IBM

Connection 130

CENTRAL POINT

Copy II PC S 34

CONDOR III

w/ Training S 445

CONTINENTAL

Home Accountant . . . . S 99

DIGITAL RESEARCH

Concurrent CP'M 86. S 225

CP'M-86 50

Cobol 86 499

Pascal MT + 86

(MS DOSl 375

SPP 86 I 30

SID 86 113

C Basic 86 135

DOW JONES

Market Analyzer S 245

Market Manogei 219

ECO-SOFT

Microstal S 230

FINANCIER

Tax Series 105

Personal S 119

GRAPHIC SOFTWARE

Super Chartmon II. ... $ 299

Super Chartnian IV .. . 199

Both (abovel 350

LEXISOFT

SpellBinder S 259

LIFETREE

Volkswnter S 135

LOTUS 123 S Cull

MICROPRO . [All] S Call

PEACHTREE

Please see listing
under CP'M

552 BYTE December 1983

SUPERSOFT

C Compile. 8086 S

StorEdil

Disk Edii

Basic Compilei

Fortran IV PC/DOS

8087 Support

Diagnostics II

Optimizer

Personal Data Base.
Investment Tax Puc .
Scratch Pad

SYSTEMS PLUS

Landlord (prop nicjmtj S
Runtime Basic
Ireq d for abovel ....

T-Maker III S

350

180

75

225

299
40
89

149

99
160
219

45
220

and

many more!

APPLE/

FRANKLIN

BOARDS

ALS CP/M Card S

299

ALS Smarterm

249

ALS I Card II

1-f

ABT Keyboard

99

Axlon Ramdisk 128K ..

299

Bit 3 Dua

209

CCS 7710

Asynch Serial

119

Central Point Alaska .

105

East Side Wild Curd . .

110

Microsoft I6K Ramcard

72

Microsoft Softcore! ....

245

Microsoft Softcurd ' . .

4 29

Microsoft Premium

Softcard (IIEl

197

Microtek Primer l/f . . .

75

Microtek Dumpling-16

195

Microtek Dumpling GX

119

Mountain AD/DA .

279

Mountain Music

System w/Softwore . .

299

PCP 4 MHZ Appli-

Card + 88 Card

599

PCP 88 Cord 16 Bit

+ 64K

475

Prometheus Versacard

159

Prometheus Grciphi tti

Card

99

SSM AISO SomoI l/F

w/cable

129

SSM AIO-2 Serial/

Parallel

179

Street Echo II Speech

Synthesizer l/F

129

Tymac Parallel l/F

w/cable

79

Videx Display

109

Videx Display

Enhancer II

129

Videx Func Strip

69

Videx Videoterm

VT-600 235

Videx Ullraterm 299

Wesper 16K Ram Card 69

IBM /PC
BOARDS

AST RESEARCH

ComboPlus 64K Clock/
Calendar, Serial 8.
Parallel, l/F, Expand-
able to 256K S 287

MegaPlus64K, Clock'
Calendar, Serial Port,
Expandable to 512K
w/Megapak 269

Extra ports available
for Megaplus and I/O
Plus II includes Game,
Parallel & Serial 40

Megapak 256K upgrade
for Megaplus S Call

I/O Plus II Clock/Calen-
dar and Serial Port ... 115

BYAD DS-II S 599

MAYNARD ELECTRONICS

Floppy Drive

Controller $ 165

Floppy Drive Control-

ler w/Parallel Port ... 229

w/Serial Port 249

Sandstar Mem. Cord

— 3 modules cap. .. 194
Sandstar Multifunction
Card - 6 modules cap. 93

Sandstar Modules . . . . S Call

QUADRAM

Quadboard 64K, Clock-
Calendar, Serial &
Parallel Ports,

Software S 296

Microfazer Stack Printer
Buffer (expandable to 512K)

► Parallel/Parallel 8K , . 145

► Parallel/Parallel 64K 188

► Serial/Parallel 8K . . . 170

► Serial/Serial 8K 170

Quadlink 64K Memory,

Game Port allows
Apple Software to
to on IBM/PC i Call

TECMAR Products . .. S Call

XEDEX/MICROLOG

Baby Blue

$

475

TALL TREE

512K JRAM Mem.

Board

$

699

\

MONITORS

Amdek Video 300A

Amber

S

18C

Amdek RGB .

495

NEC 12" Hi-Res Green

187

Sanyo 12" Hi-Res

191

USI Hi-Res 12 Amber

169

MEC JB 1260 Green .

119

PGS RGB Coloi

$

Call

NEC jC 1203 RGB. ..

560

Quadram

Quadchronie

$

Call

Taxan 12" Amber . . .

149

Taxan 12" Green . . .

136

Taxan 12 Med RGB

323

Taxan 12 High RGB

512

Taxan RGB

Cable for PC

17

US Robotics Aulo
Dial (lull auto
answer 300/1200).

US Robotics Auto
Link (auto onswei
300/1200)

US Robotics Password

DISK DRIVES

Tandon TM 55-2

Tandon TM 100 2

Davong DSI 501 Hard
Davong DSI 512 Hard
Davong DSI 519 Hard
Corona 5MB Hard ...
Corona 10 MB Hard . .

CDC 1800

Corvus

Tall Grass

Vista Solo 143K. .. .
Vista Solo & Control
Want Slim L ne

& Controller

Wont Dual Slim

Line & Controller . .

S 275

240

t Call

S Call

t Call

1,395

. 1,795

270

. S Coll

, S Call

. $ 259

329

299

. 529

TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORNER
• ** SPECIAL ***

Hayes Smartmodem 12000/Hayes Smartcom II Software

AST I O Plus II Clock Calendcn and Serial P
Above w Smartmodem 300

Hayes Smartmodem 1200 £

.S 695
415
Smartcom II Software .. 579

MODEMS

PRINTERS

Novation

Apple Cat II S 269

Hayes Micromodem II . 299

Anchor Mark I 84

Anchor Mark VII 129

Hayes

Smartmodem 300 . . . . S 205
Hayes

Smartmodem 1200 ... 499

Hayes Chronograph .. 189
Novation 212

Auto Cat 585

DISPLAY CARD CORNER

Hercules Graphics Board

Orchid Monochrome Graphic Adaptei ....

Plantronics Colorplus

USI Display Card (color/monochrome)

Amdek MAI Card

Tecmar Graphic Master

399
432
389
Coll
Call
Call

C. Itoh Sturtwriter F10 .51,250

C. Itoh Prowntei 8510 . 425

C. Itoh Prowi. le, 1550 . 725

NEC 3550 S Cull

NEC 8023A 475

Okidata Microline 82A 389

OkidataMiciolme 83A 599

Okidata Microline 92 . 499
IDS Prism 80

|w, 4 options) 1,399

IDS Prism 132

(w/4 options) 1,547

IDS MicioPnsm 565

Silver-Reed

Daisy Wheel $ Call

Star Micronics

Gemini 10X 325

Star Micronics

Gemini 15 489

GE Printers S Coll

Epson FX-80 599

Transfer T 130 P 725

Transfer I 315P Coloi 519

Transfer T 120P 499

Mannesman Tally

MT160I 475

MT160L 585

. . and much more.

Please:

► Wisconsin residents add 5% for sales tax.

► Add $3.50 for shipping per software and light
items. For multiple and other items, call.

► Foreign — add 15% handling & shipping for
prepayment. (Int'l money order.)

► Prices are subject to change without notice.

► All items subject to availability.
Store prices are strictly retail.

ORYX SYSTEMS, INC.

425 First St. • P.O. Box 1961
Wausau, Wl 54401

/

•N

DISKETTES

^

3M 5" DS, DD, Box . . . S

40

BASF 5" DS, DD, Box ,

37

Maxell 5" DS. DD,

MD2, Box

40

Verbatim 5

DS DD, Box

Ti

Jltra Magnetics 5

DS, DD, Bonus Box

(12 Diskettes)

35

PLOTTERS

Enter P100 Sweel P

Apple/Franklin,

IBM/PC

Strobe MI00 Plotlei

w/ l/F Apple/Frank
Strobe M100 Plolli-i

(RS 232)

Panasonic Digital

Plotter S Co

. S 599

499

539

MISC.

Chalk Board

. S Call

Koala Technologies

Graphic Tablet

S 99

Symtec Light Pen

I3M/PC

140

Symtec Light Pen

Apple/Franklin

200

TG Joystick IBM/PC ..

49

TG Joystick

Apple/Franklin

46

Versa VersaWnter

Tablet IBM-PC.

Apple/Fianklin

235

Wico Analog Joystick.

59

Wico Apple Adaptei .

18

Wico IBM/PC

l/F Card

52

Keytronic Keyboard

IBM/PC

219

Keytronic Keyboard

Apple/Franklin

249

Curtis PC Products . . .

S Call

Electronic Protection

Series

. S Coll

CP/M is a registered
trademark of Digital
Research. IBM and the
IBM logo are registered
trademarks of
International Business
Machines. Apple and the
Apple logo are registered
trademarks of the Apple
Computer Company.
Franklin and the Franklin
logo are trademarks of
the Franklin Computer
Company.

We welcome:

► COD (Add $2.00 per shipment. Cash or certified check required.

► Visa, MasterCharge & American Express. (Add 4%.)

► Checks. (Allow 1-2 weeks for clearing.

Working Hours:

Mon.-Thurs. 8:30-5:30 • Fn. 8:30-6:30
Sat. 10:00-2:00 • Central Time

affi

V52

W£km

For technical information and
in Wisconsin: 715-848-1374

Int'l Telex: 260181

ORYX SYS WAU

c#SS

v&k

^El

Circle 332 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

553

Ask BYTE

(la)

Conducted by Steve Garcia

ji

RS-232C

+ 5V

220il
W( —

J2

20mA LOOP

:22> LB|AS 1

220&

-w* <^2a| Lout +

{i8> Lqut

fT^> GND

Figure 1: Figure la shows the computer serial output to 20-mA loop conversion. Figure lb shows the active connections for use with
internal current sources. Figure 1c shows the passive connections for use with external current sources.

(lb)

ACTIVE CONNECTIONS

USING INTERNAL CURRENT SOURCES

CURRENT
LOOP OUT

CURRENT ,
LOOP IN \

fGND

lout
Lout + <m}-
Lbias i [22>-
LBIAS 2 [H>-
LlN + <HJ"
LlN " Ll£>-
I^GND <3~

-<f^~) CUSTOMER EQUIPMENT
-fP> 20mA LOOP INPUT

■T+*> CUSTOMER CONTACT
-<3D CLOSURE LOOP OUTPUT

(lc)

PASSIVE CONNECTIONS

USING EXTERNAL CURRENT SOURCES

INPUT
LOOP

LlN

lin - rj!>-

OUTPUT fLOUT + <Hh
L00P UoUT - BT

— <^T] CUSTOMER 20mA OUTPUT

— <T] CUSTOMER SUPPLIES
-f-^> 20mA FOR INPUT LOOP

Apple-Teletype
Connections

Dear Steve,

Can you direct me to an ar-
ticle that shows how to con-
nect an Apple II Plus to a
Teletype Model 33ASR ter-
minal? Because I already
have an 8251A USART (uni-
versal synchronous/asyn-
chronous receiver/trans-
mitter), I'd prefer to use one
if possible.

Specifically, I need to
know details about address-
ing and how to print out pro-
gram listings and results. My
application involves punch
tapes for machine tools.
Thanks for your help.
Dave Madalozzo
Tarboro, NC

The simple schematic
diagram and connection
drawings shown in figure 1

convert the serial output of a
computer to a 20-mA loop
suitable for driving Teletype
machines. The circuit fea-
tures optoisolators to avoid
any chance of an electrical
failure in the Model 33ASR
damaging the computer. 1
assume that you have the
serial port because several
cards for the Apple that pro-
vide this feature are avail-
able. A printed-circuit board
with the components of
figure 1 is available from The
Micromint (561 Willow Ave.,
Cedarhurst, NY 11516, (800)
645-3479; in New York, (516)
374-6793). For a more de-
tailed analysis of RS-232C
and current-loop interfacing,
see "The Current-Loop Inter-
face" portion (page 170) of
"Welcome to the Standards
Jungle" by Ian H. Witten
(BYTE, February 1983, page
146). . . .Steve

554 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Introducing the new RX-80.

A printer this good
could only come from one company

Take a look at the new Epson RX-80 with a critical eye
and you'll know what we mean. Epson printers are
put together with manufacturing tolerances in the
micron range. And meticulously checked for quality —
one at a time.

Our reliability rate is approaching perfection.
Which means you'll probably never — ever — have a
problem with your RX-80.
A real Epson for only $299.

For a limited time, you can get the RX-80 for only
$299. But just because we made it affordable doesn't
mean we've left off the goodies. You get 128 differ-
ent typestyles with a resolution so sharp you have to
look twice to make sure it's dot matrix. You get
bidirectional printing, logic seeking, and a speed of

100 characters per second. And you even get program-
mable forms control, graphics, and a special Quiet
Mode to keep the noise down.
This is your printer.

No matter what computer you own — or will own — do
yourself a favor and make sure your printer is an
Epson RX-80.

We build them to be the finest printers on earth.

No matter how small the price.

EPSON

Number one.
And built like it. epson America, inc.

3415 Kashiwa Street, Torrance, CA 90505

Please call (800) 421-5426 for the dealer nearest you. In California (213) 539-9140

Circle 179 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

555

Ask BYTE.

Real-Time Solution

Dear Steve,

I attempted to interface the
MM58167A real-time-clock
chip to my Ferguson Big
Board computer as described
in your article "Everyone Can
Know The Real Time"
(BYTE, May 1982, page 34).
The circuit worked the first
time on power-up. Satisfied,
I put the interface aside and
went on to other things.

After several months, I
decided to reconnect the in-
terface; that's when I began
experiencing the same prob-
lem that Mr. Edward Beighe
(Ask BYTE, April 1983, page
465) was having. The seconds
counter was stuck on hexa-
decimal FF while the other
counters seemed to be work-
ing correctly. Thinking I had

blown the chip, I purchased
another one — with data
sheets. The second chip pro-
duced the same erroneous
results.

Over the period of time
that I had not used the real-
time clock, I had made sev-
eral changes to my Big Board,
one of which was increasing
the clock rate from 2.5 MHz
to 3.5 MHz. The data sheets
for the MM58167A state that
the maximum time from
ready strobe inactive to data
valid is 800 ns, which I inter-
preted to mean that it could
take 800 ns before data is
ready. I changed my board
back to 2.5 MHz and both
clock chips worked! After re-
peatedly verifying that the
clock would work at 2.5
MHz but not 3.5 MHz, I
made an addition to the Orig-

fsJ407

Figure 2: A remedy for real-time clock-timing problems on
higher-speed systems.

inal clock circuit (see figure
2). The circuit has worked
perfectly at 3.5 MHz ever
since.

I hope this helps Mr.
Beighe and others with timing
problems.

Ronnie Kelly
Chicago, IL

Thank you very much for
your solution to Mr. Beighe's
problem. He did not mention
how he was driving the chip,
but 800 ns is a relatively long
access time, and wait states
should be employed with
faster clock rates. Your solu-
tion is simple and
correct. . . .Steve

CMOS
Microprocessor

Dear Steve,

Last month I bought an Ep-
son HX-20 notebook-sized
computer. Epson advertises
that the HX-20 has two
CMOS 6301 microproces-
sors. I've never heard of a
6301 and no one I asked
seems to know either. Can
you give me the facts?
Thanks.
Brad Kulp
Landover Hills, MD

The 6301 microprocessor
used in the Epson HX-20 is a
CMOS version of the Moto-
rola 6801 microprocessor.
CMOS {complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor)
chips are used throughout the
computer to keep the power
consumption at a low level.

A product description of
the Epson HX-20, by Gregg
Williams, appeared in the
April 1982 BYTE on page
104. It was an introductory
review but it describes many
of the features of the
unit. . . .Steve

IMSAI Manuals

Dear Steve,

I recently bought an IM-
SAI system with serial I/O,
revision 3, circa 1976, with
twin Intel 8251 USARTs (uni-
versal synchronous/asyn-
chronous receiver/trans-
mitter). The manual is miss-
ing, and IMSAI, alas, is no
longer among us. With a little
help from my friends, there
was no problem tracing the
modem signals on the PCB.
The "old-timer" is now
plugged in and working, but I
still would like a copy of the
manual.

Is there some place where I
can buy manuals for vintage
products?
Gisle Hannemyr
Tromso, Norway

Microsystems magazine
features advertisements by a
company that has taken over
the line of IMSAI computers.
It should be able to furnish
the documentation that you
require. Write or call IMSAI
Computer Division, Fischer-
Freitas Corporation, 910 81st

Ave., Bldg. 14, Oakland, CA
94621, (415) 635-7615.
. . .Steve

Modem Musings

Dear Steve,

As a computer technician,
I know how much time and
energy go into your projects.
I appreciate the work you are
doing very much.

I am writing to you on two
subjects. The first is the
ECM-103 modem (BYTE,
March 1983, page 26):

1. The RS-232C interface in
it has no control signals such
as RTS (request to send) and
CTS (clear to send). How
does communication take
place?

2. How do I add ring detec-
tion?

3. Where can I get a DAA
(data-access arrangement),
and what should I expect to
pay?

4. Can I just connect the
telephone interface to the
base of a regular telephone?

5. I would like to be able to
auto-dial by sending ASCII
(American National Standard
Code for Information Inter-
change) strings to the
modem. I thought about
using an 8085 processor
because of its built-in serial
port. Do you have any sug-
gestions?

I have an H-89 with the
serial port on a wire-wrap
board and will put this circuit
on the same board, so I have
a lot of flexibility in what I do.

The second subject con-
cerns future projects. I would
like to see a 68000-
based system with DMA
(direct memory access), math
processor, priority interrupt,
hard- and soft-disk con-
trollers, and everything else
one could want. It would also
be able to use a 32-bit data-
bus version of the 68000
when they become cost-effec-
tive. I also would like to see it
use the Motorola Versabus
and Unix. Maybe it could
have an 8-bit processor to
handle the I/O. In fact, I
would like to have seen this

556 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

There's a side
to the Wang PC
that IBM would

ignore.

•^ #t| ^ Maybe what puts the Wang

1^1 ^•^'■^ ^ A^"W-tfl ^ ^F".^^ Professional Computer ahead of

I WCl** %/■ ■■ ! !■ ■ the IBM PC is what's behind it.

1 1 ■ IV f V/H ^^F Because at the back of the

^ ^^ Wang PC is a series of system

^ interfaces that can tie you into total office

automation now. Integral links that let you
access notonlyotherWang equipment, but
even most popular databases and main-
frames, including IBM.

Trie Wang Professional Computer also
offers a variety of telecommunications options
that can access everything from the Dow
Jones News/Retrieval® service to electronic
mail. And by simply addingword processing
software, the Wang PC turns into the easiest-
to-useword processor on the market.

Face to face, the ^j
Wang PC is superior I]
tothelBMPCin
speed, compatibility
andease-of-use.

Backto back, there's
no comparison.

For a demonstration of the Wang Professional Computer, call
1-800-225-9264. Or send this coupon to: Wang Laboratories,
Inc., Business Executive Center, One Industrial Avenue, Lowell,
MA0L851.

Name

Company

Address

City

State

Zip

.Telephone BY3 i

WANG

The Office Automation
Computer People.

\> 1983 Wang Laboratories, Inc.

Ask BYTE.

instead of the MPX-16. I
think we have enough IBM
PC clones.

Again, thank you for your
efforts.
Bob Iacullo
Doylestown, PA

The ECM-103 and other
modems use two sets of tones
and operate in a full-duplex
mode. Because this method
allows the simultaneous
transmission and reception of
data, no handshaking signals
(RTS and CTS) are needed.

The circuit shown in figure
3 provides a simple means of
ring detection. The article

from which this circuit was
taken appeared in the Feb-
ruary 20, 1975 issue of Elec-
tronics. It is titled "Optically
coupled ringer doesn't load
phone line. " In it, William D.
Kraengel Jr. illustrates a sim-
ple way to capture a high-
voltage signal and safely con-
vert it to TTL or CMOS
levels. While this circuit
drives an oscillator, it could
just as easily toggle a counter
and trip on a preset number
of rings.

A DAA can be obtained
from your local telephone
company or any of several
manufacturers. They must be

FCC-certified and vary in
price. I have seen some as low
as $50 in quantities of 10,000.
Single quantities must be
quoted. One source for a
DAA is Cermetek Microelec-
tronics Inc., 1308 Borregas
Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086.
The telephone interface can
be connected to the base of a
regular telephone.

Many articles have been
published on auto-dialing. If
yours is a Touch Tone sys-
. tern, see my article on page 42
of the December 1981 BYTE.
"Build a Touch Tone
Decoder for Remote Control"
gives information on an en-

coder circuit. Such a circuit
can be driven from a parallel
port (or serial port, through a
UART). If it is a pulse-dialing
(rotary) telephone system,
the pulses can easily be
generated in software.

At the time that I designed
the MPX-16, there was con-
siderably more hardware and
software information avail-
able for the 8088 processor.
With the introduction of the
IBM PC, a plethora of acces-
sory boards was flooding the
market and it seemed un-
necessary to "reinvent the
wheel". . .Steve

TELEPHONE LINE

RING SIGNAL=100VAC. 20Hz

(2 SECONDS ON, 4 SECONDS OFF)

20 Hz

l^F
200V

^h

,^Iaaa

I 40Hz

•10K

MONSANTO
MCT-2

•6.8K

40 Hz

•680J1

TELEPHONE
SET

+ 12V
A

•IK

>,250K

Y FREQUENCY

* CONTROL

. O.OlfiF

ll

440 Hz GATED AT 40 Hz

JUL Jl nn.

8 SECONDS , SECONDS

RESET V+

DISCHARGE

OUTPUT

THRESHOLD
TRIGGER

CONTROL
VOLTAGE GND

T

555
ASTABLE

Figure 3: The ring-detection circuit is useful for detection of high-voltage signals and conversion to common logic levels.

High-Speed
Communications

Dear Steve,

I read your June 1983 BYTE
article (page 35) "Use
ADPCM for Highly Intelligi-
ble Speech Synthesis" with
great interest. I'm particular-
ly interested in the possibili-
ty of developing a method of

transmitting not only high-
quality voice signals through
a 32-kbps (thousand bits per
second) digital channel, but
also high-speed (9600-bps)
modem traffic.

"The Return of TELPAK,"
printed in the March 1983
issue of Telecommunications
magazine (authored by Ivan
Riley of Aydin Monitor Sys-

tems), claims that although
32-kbps ADPCM is capable
of handling 4800-bps
modems, it cannot pass 9600-
bps traffic (CCITT V.29). The
same article claims that a
technique referred to as VQL
(variable quantization level)
encoding is capable of 9600-
bps transmission.
I would appreciate any in-

formation you may have or to
which you can refer me that
deals with VQL or the gen-
eral topic of systems de-
signed to pass analog voice
and modems through 32-
kbps communications links.
Christopher Paul
Bayport, NY

The August 1983 issue of Sys-

558 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

THERE'S NO OTHER COPIER
ON EARTH LIKE IT.

The Minolta Beta 450Z has features no copier ever had before.

Like auto magnification. Which allows the 450Z, with its automatic
document feeder, to take a stack of different size originals and automat-
ically reduce or enlarge them to uniform size copies.

If you simply want to make copies of that stack of originals, the 450Z
will automatically select the correct paper size for each one.

The 450Z has a unique variable magnification zooming lens that gives
you a virtually limitless range of copy sizes. From
almost 50% larger than the original to 50% smaller.

If you don't need reduction, enlargement
or auto magnification, ask your dealer about
the Beta 450 (without the Z).

Both make copies that are out of this world.

Call your Minolta dealer for a demonstration.
Look in the Yellow Pages under the Minolta
trademark. Or call toll free 800-526-5256.
In New Jersey call 201-342-6707.

□ Please have my dealer contact me for
a demonstration of the new Minolta
Beta 450Z.

□ Please send me more information.

Name-
Title-

MINOLTA

Company.
Address

City_
Zip_

_State_

Telephone

Mail to Minolta Corporation
Business Equipment Division
101 Williams Drive
Ramsey. N. 1.07446.

I

® 1983 Minolta Corporation

€^

PMN-,, .

Circle 303 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

559

Ask BYTE.

terns and Software, devoted to
combining voice and data com-
munications, features a special
report on that subject. In addi-
tion, many advertisements fea-
ture devices that handle both
voice and data transmissions.

The magazine can be obtained
from Hayden Publishing Com-
pany Inc., 50 Essex St., Rochelle
Park, N] 07662. Subscriptions
are offered free of charge to
qualified subscribers, and single
issues can be obtained at $4
each. . . .Steve

Ukrainian Word
Processing

Dear Steve,

In addition to doing word
processing in English, I am
looking for a computer with
which I could do word pro-
cessing in Ukrainian as well.
I wrote to you since my prob-
lem with foreign-language
character generation might
best be solved through hard-
ware. While there are soft-
ware programs for various
character generators, I still
haven't found one with
which it is possible to do
word processing. C. Kenneth
Fan, for example, had an ar-
ticle, "An IBM Character
Generator," in the January
1983 Creative Computing. His
program requires at least 96K
bytes of ROM for work
space— whereas this space is
also used by some of the
more powerful word-pro-
cessing programs.

I plan to get a microcom-
puter in the near future, and
I want to know if there is a
computer on the market that
supports foreign-language
character sets. Ukrainian
uses the Cyrillic alphabet, so
I need a complete character
set and not just accents and
a few special characters. Do
you know of any monitor
with a user-definable charac-
ter set? The Epson QX-10
changes its character set from
normal to bold or italic; I sup-

pose that this is done
through an alternate charac-
ter generator. Wouldn't it be
possible to do the same thing
with another alphabet?

I already have an Olympia
ES105 KRO electronic type-
writer with a general-pur-
pose interface that can be set
for either serial or parallel
operation. I also have a Rus-
sian print wheel that I am go-
ing to convert to Ukrainian.

Please let me know which
computer you think would
be easiest to work with. If
you have any suggestions or
ideas, I would appreciate
your advice.

Thank you.
(Rev.) Maxim M. Kobasuk
Glen Cove, NY

The Victor 9000 computer has
a software-generated character
set that is loaded when the sys-
tem is first initialized. Utilities
are available for creating char-
acters interactively and for in-
stalling them in an operating
system. This feature will allow
you to create whatever charac-
ter set you desire. Since it is a
one-for-one substitution, it
should not affect the word-pro-
cessing program.

Apple II, Atari, and other
computers with graphics capa-
bility can create alternate char-
acter sets in software but must
be patched into your existing
word-processing program in
order to be effective for screen
display.

Additional information on the
Victor 9000 can be obtained from
Victor Business Products, 3900
North Rockwell St., Chicago, IL
60618. . . .Steve

Macro Micro Display

Dear Steve,

I am looking for a means of
either projecting a black-and-
white video-display image
using rear-screen projection
or implementing a light-dis-

play system similar to those
used in stadium scoreboards.
I would like to interface my
IBM PC to the system to pro-
vide real-time display infor-
mation at conferences and
conventions.

Requirements for the sys-
tem include character heights
of not less than 6 inches, a
maximum cost of $500, and
high visibility in a well-
lighted environment. Any
suggestions? Thank you.
Bert Whittier
Melrose, MA

Electrohome Electronics man-
ufactures a projection TV
monitor that can be driven by
any microcomputer. This would
seem to be the simplest solution
to your problem; however, I
prefer not to quote its cost. Call
or write them for additional in-
formation at Electrohome
(U.S.A.) Limited, 182 Wales
Ave., Tonawanda, NY 14150,
(716) 694-3332. . . .Steve

Atari Parallel
Interface

Dear Steve,

I've heard rumors that a
printer interface can be built
for Atari personal computers
by using the number 3 and
4 controller jacks, and that a
company is producing such
a product. So far, however,
I have been unable to locate
any such company.

Do you have a schematic
or know of anyone who is
familiar with such an inter-
face? I assume the interface
is serial, but is a parallel in-
terface possible using the
controller ports? Thanks.
Ron M. Yoakem
Bainbridge, OH

Macrotronics makes a product
that will enable the Atari 400 or
800 to drive a parallel printer
through the front controller con-
nector, without the need for the
Atari 850 or a similar interface.

A short driver program directs
all LPRINT commands to the
parallel-printer interface. It is
compatible with BASIC, DOS,
and ASSEMBLER/DEBUG. The
address is Macrotronics Inc.,
1125 North Golden State Blvd.,
Turlock, CA 95380, (209)
667-2888. . . .Steve

Math Language

Dear Steve,

I am having trouble find-
ing a microcomputer lan-
guage that handles complex
arithmetic. As I am current-
ly changing systems, the
available languages will have
some effect on what I pur-
chase. I'd appreciate any
help you can provide.
Stuart Sands
Berkeley, CA

FORTRAN IV has a COM-
PLEX function, but it is not im-
plemented on microcomputer
versions. I have been told by a
professional programmer that
the mainframe implementation
is so slow that he writes his own
routines; it is not very difficult.
All that is necessary is to com-
pute the real and imaginary
parts separately, and then add
them. This may be the easiest
solution to your search.
. . .Steve

Scope Your Data

Dear Steve,

How can I determine the
data rate, parity, and stop-bit
characteristics being trans-
mitted by a computer over
an RS-232C port by examin-
ing these signals on an oscil-
loscope?
Chuck Gollnick
Pullman, WA

Determining the data rate of
a data signal by using an oscil-
loscope is very easy. Send a
series of characters with lots of
"ones" in its binary code. The
question mark (?) is hexadecimal

560 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Last year our fire protection systems
kept the heat off a lot of business owners.

Aw mrMowzY X

OW A F&HWAI- A

<T ~-6HAti£0& Or A Flf^ lM/4

© f/e/d Enterprises, Inc., 1983

T

WHY VO&Z IT $N&A< \A¥&
PFA&Ott Bf&Tti IN H£^£?

It's sheer wizardry the way Fenwal's suppression
systems spot fire and snuff it out instantly. Our systems
use the fastest way known of stopping fire, Halon 1301.
It's perfectly clean and people-safe. That keeps down-
time to an absolute minimum.

We've been building and perfecting our systems for
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you get a system with components
built to work together and backed
by single source responsibility.

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Plus the attention of a local factory trained wizard who's
knowledgeable in cost efficient system configuration.

Whatever you want to protect— valuable documents,
computer rooms, communication centers, control rooms,
switching rooms, anything at all that you can't afford to
be without— we can do the job.

For the name of your local Fenwal wizard,
look in the Yellow Pages under "Fire Protection," or

contact the Castle at (617) 881-2000.

Fenwal Incorporated,

Ashland, MA 01721.

A Division of Kidde, Inc.

Circle 187 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

561

Ask BYTE,

ASCII code 7F (01111111) and
makes a good choice. Set the
sweep rate on the scope so that
these "one" pulses are stable
and note the number of time-
base divisions between any two
adjacent pulses on the scope
screen. The result should be in
the "1 bit in so many millisec-
onds" range for typical trans-
mission rates. The inverse of
this value is the data rate.

Determining the parity and
stop-bit characteristics is more
difficult since the waveform is
not steady. A storage scope
would be necessary for such a
measurement.

A hardware latch to hold one
data word for inspection and a
software routine are other
methods of determining parity
and stop bits. . . .Steve

Big Board Speaks

Dear Steve,

I am assembling a custom
Z80 system for use by my

wife who suffers from a
paralyzed palate and can no
longer speak. She will be
able to communicate with
me by typing and, by using
a modem, will be able to con-
tact me at my office, where
I have a microcomputer and
modem available. In order to
become thoroughly familiar
with the hardware (and to
save a little money), I plan to
assemble a kit. I have chosen
the Ferguson Big Board for
the main board. I need ad-
vice about which disk drives
to use, as all my experience
has been on large, main-
frame timesharing systems.
The Big Board kit has an
on-board Western Digital
1771 disk controller, and the
documentation calls for a
"Shugart Series 800 compati-
ble" drive. The recording
format is single-density IBM
3740. 1 do not have ready ac-
cess to literature covering
these specifications. I would

be very grateful if you could
tell me where I can find the
necessary information to
guide me in purchasing a
suitable pair of drives at a
reasonable price. Are dou-
ble-sided drives practical in
this application?

I read with great personal
interest your two articles in
BYTE (September and Oc-
tober 1982) on the voice
simulator and plan to make
this my first project once the
basic system is running.
Walter Brouillette
Jamesville, NY

The Shugart 801 disk drive is
a perfect companion for the
Ferguson Big Board or virtual-
ly any system that uses the
Western Digital 1771 controller.
It is an extremely popular drive
and is sold by nearly all mail-
order computer stores. They are
available as a bare drive or in a
cabinet with power supply and
cables. See the back pages of

BYTE for advertisements.

For your application, I think
a single-sided drive is adequate
(and cheaper). The amount of
data that can be stored on an
8-inch disk in IBM 3740 format
is a quarter megabyte. . . . Steve

Scratch-built 68000

Dear Steve,

I am trying to build a
68000-based computer from
scrap parts, but I need to find
a board that I can stuff. The
only boards that I have
found have either too little
memory (I would like at least
128K bytes) or a cassette in-
terface (I want a floppy-disk
interface). Is there a kit avail-
able from you or anyone else
that would fit my needs?
Also, could you tell me
whether anyone makes a
68000 board for the S-100
bus? Thank you.
Philip Lawrence
Austin, TX

The best career move you can make is to

It's free. It's confidential.

Today's technical career market changes fast.

But now there's a way to keep up with it. This
new key to career opportunity is your personal
computer. And the cost is nothing but a phone call.

Just call CLEO. That stands for Computer Listings

of Employment Opportunities.

CLEO responds to your commands. You specify
what job categories, companies, or geographic loca-
tions interest you. CLEO calls up the appropriate ads
right on your screen. At every step, you're guided by
explicit online instructions.

Daily updates keep CLEO job listings current.

Educational Microcomputer
Systems manufactures a 68000-
based single-board computer
that may be of interest to you.
While it contains only 20K bytes
of on-board RAM, it does have
two memory-expansion buses
that allow up to 256K bytes. It
has two serial ports, a 16-bit
parallel port, and is software-
compatible with the Motorola
MEX68KDM board. A bare
board and documentation are
available for $99. 95 from Educa-
tional Microcomputer Systems,
POB 16115, Irvine, CA 92713-
6115, (714) 553-0133. In addi-
tion, a recent ad in Computer
Shopper disclosed a 68000-
based processor bare board,
Multibus-compatible, with
documentation, for $69.99. It is
available from Unicom Elec-
tronics, 10010 Canoga Ave.,
Unit B-8, Chatsworth, CA
91311, (213) 341-8833. Also,
Digicomp Research Corporation
sells a dual-processor system for
the S-100 bus. It is based on the

16-bit MC68000 and the 8-bit
Z80 central processing units and
features software switching be-
tween them. Further informa-
tion can be obtained from
Digicomp Research Corpora-
tion, Terrace Hill, Ithaca, NY
14850. . . .Steve

Biblical Word
Processing

Dear Steve,

I have an IBM PC and will
be purchasing mass-storage
equipment as soon as I know
what I want to purchase. My
need at this point is a pro-
gram that will permit me to
enter thousands of pages of
text and then search that text
for occurrences of a given
word or phrase.

I have approximately 1200
sermons that average 30
pages of text each. Eventual-
ly, I want to put all of these
in storage. I realize I will
need approximately 100

megabytes to accomplish
this. Each of these sermons
will be named and dated. I
would like to be able to put
them into the computer in
random order but be able to
retrieve them in chrono-
logical order. After some (or
all) of the sermons are in
storage, I want to be able to
ask the computer to search
all (or a designated portion)
of the sermons for every oc-
currence of a certain word or
phrase. When an occurrence
of the word or phrase is
located, I want to be able to
preview the context of that
word or phrase (with scroll-
ing capability) and then per-
mit either a printout of a
chosen portion of the text or
an advance to the next occur-
rence. I would also want to
be able to call up any given
sermon by name and be able
to preview it (again with the
printout option). Can you
give me any help? Thank

you very much.
Donald Derksen
Keystone, SD

Your need to search and re-
trieve multipage sermons is en-
tirely feasible with your IBM
PC. A hard-disk system will be
needed, and the software can be
as simple as a word processor
with find and replace" capabil-
ity. Your sermons can be entered
as text in pages as they would
normally be typed, so that titles,
phrases, or any word can be
found. The program would have
to be compatible with the hard
disk.

Unfortunately, I am not aware
of such a program. Similar pro-
grams do exist and may be adap-
table for your use. For example,
The Word Processor has the en-
tire King fames version of the
bible on floppy disks loith the
ability to search on any word,
character, or phrase, with dis-
play and print capability. Per-
haps the disks can be replaced

the keyboard of your personal computer.

You can even apply for positions right from your
own terminal. For a detailed job search, or just an
idea of what's available, CLEO is waiting for your
call today. With today's opportunities.

CLEO access: (415) 482-1550 (408) 294-2000
(213) 618-8800 (714) 476-8800 (619) 224-8800

Circle 72 on inquiry card.

300 BAUD, full duplex, standard ASCII code.
Access assistance: (213) 618-1525

^^^fc Recruitment advertisers—
I call (213) 618-0200 collect
HHP to find out how you can

Computer Listings of Employment Opportunities place yOUT ad 0(1 CLEO.

An electronic publishing activity of The Copley Press, Inc.

Ask BYTE.

with your sermons. The address
is Bible Research Systems, 8804
Wildridge Dr., Austin, TX
78759, (512) 346-2181. Other
word-processing programs may
have the capabilities that you re-
quire. One worth checking is
Readiware, POB 680-A, West
Redding, CT 06896, (203)
431-3521.

I think the biggest obstacle to
completing your project is the
entering of 36,000 pages of text
into your computer system. At
5 minutes per page, there is more
than 3000 hours of typing re-
quired. That's seventy-five
40-hour weeks! . . .Steve

More on Modems

Dear Steve,

In regard to your article
"Build the ECM-103, an
Originate/ Answer Modem"
(BYTE, March 1983, page 26),
the information on modems
is invaluable to me. I would
like to know if you could
reference other publications
concerning modems. Thank
you.

Christopher J. Rizzo
Staten Island, NY

An excellent article on
modems appeared in the Novem-
ber and December 1982 issues of
Popular Computing. The
November article, "Modems:
Hooking Your Computer to the
World" by Stan Miastkowski
(page 88), provides a complete
description of the terms com-
monly used with modems and
explains the differences between
modems. The December article
(page 111) describes various
software packages that are avail-
able. All of your questions
should be answered with this in-
formation. . . .Steve

Synthesizing Sounds

Dear Steve,

I recently built the sound-
generating circuit you
described in the July 1982

BYTE, "Add Programmable
Sound Effects to Your Com-
puter," page 60. I've had a
good time with the programs
you presented and even
wrote a program to produce
a siren sound.

Now I'm interested in
knowing more about sound
synthesis and things I can do
with the SN76489A circuit.
Can you recommend any
books or other sources of in-
formation on sound syn-
thesis or electronic sound
effects?

John W. Macrae
Maysville, KY

A two-part article in the
December 1980 and January
1981 issues of Microcom-
puting entitled "Computer
Music the Easy Way" by Steve
Marum describes an S-100 in-
terface to a Texas Instruments
SN76489A Programmable
Sound Generator chip and soft-
ware to create a sophisticated
music editor. This editor will
translate music into the digital
data necessary for the
SN76489A. Back issues can be
obtained from Microcom-
puting, 80 Pine St., Peter-
borough, NH 03458.

An excellent book on sound
synthesis is Musical Applica-
tions of Microprocessors by
Hal Chamberlain, published by
Hay den Book Company Inc.,
Rochelle Park, N]. It covers
digital microprocessor sound
and music synthesis and in-
cludes a lot of background infor-
mation. Some parts get rather
technical, but it will serve as an
excellent reference for this sub-
ject. . . .Steve

Light-Pen
Connections

Dear Steve,

It's easy to build an inex-
pensive light pen ($1.50) for
Atari, VIC-20, or Commo-
dore 64 computers by using

a resistor and a photo-
transistor. The hard part is
finding a DE9 connector to
hook it up to the computer—
unless you cannibalize a
broken joystick. Where can I
find a source of new DE9s?
Thank you.
Matt Blais
Westtown, PA

A search through the back
pages of a recent issue of BYTE
revealed at least two sources for
the DE9 connectors that are
used on the Commodore 64 and
VIC-20 computers. They are
Jameco Electronics, 1355 Shore-
way Rd., Belmont, CA 94002,
(415) 592-8097 and California
Digital, POB 3097B, Torrance,
CA 90503, (800) 421-5041.

They are listed along with the
RS-232C connectors. The DE9
is simply a 9-pin version of the
more popular 25-pin "stan-
dard" RS-232C connectors.
. . .Steve

Data-Bank Catalog

Dear Steve,

I would like to know about
all the data banks available,
and I understand that there
is a book published that has
compiled this information.
Thanks for your help.
Michael G. McElroy
Norman, OK

An excellent list of data banks
appears in The Creative Ap-
ple, edited by Pelczarski and
Tate and published by Creative
Computing Press, Morristown,
NJ 07960. . . .Steve

Too Many Queens

Dear Steve,

My computer teacher
posed an interesting problem
to me. He said that there are
12 setups on a chessboard
where eight queens could be

placed in such a way that
none of the queens threat-
ened each other. The prob-
lem is to try to find these set-
ups by representing a chess-
board by an 8 by 8 matrix.
While the algorithm is fairly
simple, using eight nested
loops to put all eight queens
through every permutation,
I find it difficult to implement
in Commodore BASIC for my
home computer. (The com-
puter in school is a PDP-11
with a Pascal compiler.) I am
interested in trying it on my
computer and seeing how
many hours it takes to find
the solutions. (I assume it
would take hours, because it
took several minutes on the
PDP-11.) Any help would be
appreciated.
David Alexander
East Meadow, NY

An article that appeared in the
October 1978 BYTE, "Solving
the Eight Queens Problem" by
Terry Smith (page 122),
describes another approach to
this problem. The program pre-
sented should run in Commo-
dore BASIC, but I do not know
how long it will "crunch" before
all solutions are printed. He
mentions that "there are 92
solutions of which 23 are dis-
crete." . . .SteveB

In "Ask BYTE,'' Steve
Garcia answers questions
on any area of microcom-
puting. The most represen-
tative questions received
each month will be an-
swered and published. Do
you have a nagging prob-
lem? Send your inquiry to:

Ask BYTE

c/o Steve Ciarcia

POB 582

Glastonbury, CT

06033
If you are a subscriber to
The Source, chat with
Steve (TCE317) directly.
Due to the high volume of
inquiries, personal replies
cannot be given. Be sure
to include "Ask BYTE'' in
the address.

564 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

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BYTE December 1983 565

<?

M&*

r^°}

kwkJtte 'for

wV\<%*

?r*

VeM direct
fwu'f for"

8

The 2700

You might think an offer like that would
be a risky thing for us. But you'd be wrong
n,.?™X? f1^ everyone who tries g
our 2700 distributed electronic printers finds
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convenient for the people whoneedThenT St
And since they function as high speed printers a<=
well as letter-quality printers, you save money rigk^ff

XEROX'and 2700 are .rademarks of XEROX CORPORATION.
566 BYTE December 1983

They also appreciate the fact that thf ?7nn „
«h se^ice avaaab.e in ..it*-

And that in 1982 it won the Printer of the Year
SsTSS^^ZaaT "«*£S3&, of

<zr\vzfr

XEROX

j r Xerox 2700 after
3 it back.

So, if you still feel we're running a risk with our offer,
please feel free to take advantage of us*

To arrange for a nearby demonstration, just call Xerox
Printing Systems Division, toll-free, at 1 (800) 556-1234,
Ext. 95. In California, 1 (800) 441-2345, Ext. 95. Or send
in our coupon.

Then, simply have our local sales office qualify you
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We say at least only because we know you'll keep it
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And probably order more.

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Circle 462 on inquiry card.

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Mail to: Keith Davidson, Xerox Printing Systems Division,
880 Apollo Street, El Segundo, CA 90245. PMN-11-83

BYTE December 1983 567

Event Queue

December 1983

December

Courses in Continuing Engi-
neering Education, Washing-
ton, DC, and San Diego, CA.
Two of the five available
courses are 'Intelligent Ro-
bots: The Integration of Mi-
crocomputer and Robotic
Technology" and 'Program-
ming in the C and Unix Envi-
ronment." Course fees range
from $695 to $875. For infor-
mation on dates, locations,
and fees, contact George
Harrison, George Washing-
ton University, Continuing
Engineering Education,
Washington, DC 20052, (800)
424-9773; in the District of
Columbia, (202) 676-6106.

December

Seminars for Professional De-
velopment, various sites
throughout the U.S. Datapro
Research Corporation offers
more than 35 professional de-
velopment seminars in such
areas as personal computers,
data communications, sys-
tems and software, and office
automation. Complete out-
lines and schedules are avail-
able from Datapro Research
Corp., 1805 Underwood
Blvd., Delran, NJ 08075,
(800) 257-9406; in New
Jersey, (609) 764-0100.

December-January 1984

Courses from Q. E. D. Infor-
mation Sciences, various sites
throughout the U.S. Sched-
uled courses include "Systems
Analysis Workshop," "Data
Security and Design," "Cost-
Benefit Analysis," and 'Proj-
ect Management and Con-
trol." Address inquiries to
Q. E. D. Information Sci-
ences Inc., Q. E. D. Plaza,
POB 181, Wellesley, MA
02181, (800) 343-4848; in Mas-
sachusetts, (617) 237-5656.

December-January 1984

Intensive Seminars for Pro-
fessionals, various sites

throughout the U.S. Elec-
tronics magazine, a McGraw-
Hill publication, offers semi-
nars in management and the
high technology of speech
recognition and synthesis,
controlling electromagnetic
interference, fundamentals of
computer graphics, and mi-
croprocessor interfacing. In-
house presentations can be
arranged. For a catalog out-
lining seminars, locations,
and fees, contact Irene
Parker, McGraw-Hill Semi-
nar Center, Suite 603, 331
Madison Ave., New York,
NY 10017, (212) 687-0243.

December-March 1984

Courses from Integrated
Computer Systems, various
sites throughout the U.S. A
few of the course titles are
"Hands-on Unix Workshop,"
"Designing with 16-bit
Micros," 'Programming in
C— A Hands-on Workshop,"
and "Hands-on Microproces-
sor Troubleshooting." The fee
for most of the courses is
$895. For information, con-
tact Ruth Dordick, Integrated
Computer Systems, 6305
Arizona Place, Los Angeles,
CA 90045, (213) 450-2060.

December-August 1984

Conferences and Expositions
from the Society of Manufac-
turing Engineers, various
sites throughout the U.S. and
around the world. More than
25 conferences and exposi-
tions are scheduled. For a
calendar, contact the Public
Relations Department, Soci-
ety of Manufacturing En-
gineers, One SME Dr., POB
930, Dearborn, MI 48121,
(313) 271-0777.

December 10-12

Computerized Writing Work-
shops, Gainesville, FL. This
workshop is limited to eight
writers who are interested in
breaking into the word-pro-
cessing field. For details,

write the Press Association,
5305 Northwest 57th Lane,
Gainesville, FL 32606.

December 12

The IBM System/36 Sem-
inar, Orlando, FL. This semi-
nar provides a discussion on
the capabilities and perfor-
mance of the IBM System/36.
For registration and details,
contact DGC Inc., 1450 Pres-
ton Forest Square, Dallas, TX
75230, (214) 991-4044.

December 12

Software Workshops in
MMSFORTH, Boston metro-
politan area. This workshop,
"Metaforth and Other Ad-
vanced Topics," is a public
version of the professional
training Miller Microcom-
puter Services (MMS) offers
to client companies in sup-
port of the MMSFORTH
product line. Details are
available from Miller Micro-
computer Services, 61 Lake
Shore Rd., Natick, MA
01760, (617) 653-6136.

December 12-14

An Introduction to Small
Computers for Business Ap-
plications, Hamilton Hotel,
Schaumburg, IL. This confer-
ence and hardware demon-
stration will provide an intro-
duction and review of small
computers and microproces-
sors with an emphasis on
what they are, what their ter-
minology is, and what oper-
ating systems and software
packages are available. Pro-
gram materials are included
in the $350 fee. For details,
contact Bob Mattis, Informa-
tion Systems Division, EECI
Inc., POB 241, Glen Ellyn, IL
60137, (312) 790-0010.

December 12-15

Conference on Human Fac-
tors in Computing Systems —
CHI '83, Boston, MA. Pa-
pers, sessions, and tutorials
will focus on system usabil-

ity. The sponsor of this event
is the special interest group
on Computers and Human
Interaction (CHI) of the As-
sociation for Computing Ma-
chinery (ACM). Further in-
formation is available from
Raoul N. Smith, GTE Labor-
atories, 40 Sylvan Rd., Wal-
tham, MA 02254, (617)
466-4044 or 890-8460.

December 13-15

Automatic Testing and Test
Instrumentation '83, Metro-
pole Hotel, Brighton, Eng-
land. This exhibition and
conference covers all aspects
of test systems. For details,
contact Network Events Ltd.,
Printers Mews, Market Hill,
Buckingham, MK18 1JX,
England; tel: (028 0) 815226;
Telex: 83111.

December 14-15

Hi Tech Update '83, Delta Ot-
tawa Hotel, Ottawa, On-
tario, Canada. An annual up-
date on state-of-the-art high
technologies. Contact Marg
Coll, 1138 Sherman Dr., Ot-
tawa, Ontario K2C 2M4,
Canada, (613) 225-4229.

December 15-16

Personal Computer Local
Networks, San Francisco,
CA. This is the final program
in the four-part Architecture
Technology Corporation
1983 Forum Series. This pro-
gram will bring together
manufacturers and users of
local-network schemes to ex-
change information in an in-
formal setting. The format in-
cludes presentations, panel
discussions, and a techno-
logical summary. The fee is
$395. For further informa-
tion, contact the Architecture
Technology Corp., POB
24344, Minneapolis, MN
55424, (612) 935-2035.

December 27-30

Modern Language Associa-
tion Convention, Sheraton
Centre, New York, NY.

568 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

The Micromint
Collection

Micromint. Supporting the varied projects that appear in Steve Ciarcia's monthly
article in BYTE magazine, "Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar." Offering a wide range of
computers and peripherals supporting the needs of the hobbyist as well as
worldwide corporate clients.

MPX-16 MICROCOMPUTER
IBM PC COMPATIBLE

The MPX-16 is Steve Ciarcia's most ambitious project
to date. The computer runs all application software
written for the IBM PC and is IBM PC bus compatible.
Can be used with video monitor & IBM keyboard with
optional adapter.

Buy the MPX-16 in the form that best meets your
budget As a bare board, as a wave-soldered board
that contains all components less the IC's, as an
assembled and tested circuit board or as a complete
system.

As featured on the cover ol "BYTE" magazine. Also
featured in "Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar" November,
December 1982 & January 1983.

• Runs all application programs written lorthe IBM
PC (simply boot up the system and slip in a disk
formatted tor the IBM PC).

• IBM PC bus compatible + 9 expansion slots.

• Intel 8088 16-bit microprocessor.

• Optional Intel 8087 math coprocessor.

• 256K bytes on-board memory.

• Up to one megabyte of system memory.

• Up to 64K bytes of system ROM/EPROM.

• Two RS-232C serial I/O ports.

• Three parallel I/O ports.

• Disk controller for 5W or 8" drives.

• Sixteen levels of vectored interrupts.

MPX-16 Microcomputer circuit board assembled

W/64K RAM, CP/M-66 or PC-DOS BIOS $1,200.

MPX-16 as above with 256K RAM 1,395.

MPX-16 Semi-Kit (wave soldered circuit

board w/all components) less IC's 595.

Complete kit ol IC's W/256K RAM 595.

MPX-16 Unpopulated (bare) pc board 300.

CP/M-86 Operating System 80.

MPX-16 Switching Power Supply including

cable harness lor 2 disk drives 300.

MPX-16 Technical Reference Manual 50.

MPX-16 Metal Enclosure with cutouts for

two 5U" full height drives 300.

Tandon TM 100-2 double density drive 300.

IBM PC Keyboard Interlace Adapter 100.

Serial terminal cable 35.

Parallel printer cable 35.

Shipping and handling additional on MPX-16 orders.

Z8 BASIC SYSTEM
CONTROLLER NEW!!!

Replaces IB Basic Computer Controller

As featured in Ciarcta s Circuit Cellar,
BYTE magazine, July & August 1981.

• Uses Zilog Z8671 single chip microcomputer.

• On board tiny BASIC interpreter.

• 2 parallel ports plus serial I/O port.

• Just connect a CRT terminal and write control pro-
grams in BASIC.

• 2K bytes of RAM , up to 4K bytes of ROM .

• Baud rates 110-9600 BPS.

• Data and address buses available for 124K memory
and I/O expansion.

• Consumes only 1.5 watts at +5, +12 & -12.

• Cross Assemblers for various computers.

BCCT1 Assembled & Tested $149.

New Low Price

IBM PC is a trademark of International Business Machines, Inc
CP/M86 is a trademark of Digital Research Inc.
MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Inc
28 Is a trademark of Zilog Inc.

Z8 MEMORY, I/O EXPANSION, Z8 CROSS ASSEMBLERS
CASSETTE INTERFACE

From Allen Ashley

TRS-80 Model lorlll $75.

CP/M 2.2 8" or Northstar 5V(" 150.

From Micro Resources

CP/M 2.2 8" or APPLE 5V4" 75.

• Add up to 8K of memory plus 3 parallel ports.

• Cassette Interface— 300 baud K.C. Standard.
BCC03w/4K Assembled & Tested $149.

Z8 ANALOG TO DIGITAL
CONVERTER NEW!!!

• Uses Analog Devices 7581 8 channel 8 bit IC.

• Adds Process Control capability to the Z8.

• 1000 samples per second.

BCC13 Assembled & Tested $140.

Z8 EPROM PROGRAMMER

• Transfer BASIC or Assembly Language application
programs from RAM to 2716 or 2732 EPROM.

• Reguires Z8 Expansion Board for operation.
BCC07 Assembled & Tested $145.

Z8 SERIAL EXPANSION BOARD

• Adds additional RS 232C and opto-isolated 20 ma
current loop serial port to the Z8.

• Runs at 75 to 19,200 baud in all protocols.
BCC08 Assembled & Tested $160.

Z816K MEMORY EXPANSION
BOARD NEW!!!

• Add 16K of additional memory, RAM or EPROM, to
your Z8 System Controller in any multiple.

• Uses 2016, 6116, 2716 or 2732 memory types.
BCC14 W.8K Assembled & Tested $120.

Z8 FIVE SLOT MOTHER BOARD

MB02 Assembled & Tested $69.

SPEECH SYNTHESIZERS

MICROVOX TEXT-TO-SPEECH
SYNTHESIZER

As featured in Ciarcia 's Circuit Cellar
BYTE Magazine September, October 1982.

Microvox is a second generation professional voice
quality text-to-speech synthesizer that is easily inter-
faced to any computer, modem, RS-232C serial
or parallel output device and provides speech of
unbelievable clarity.

• Unlimited vocabulary.

• 64 programmable inflection levels.

• 6K text-to-speech algorithm.

• Full ASCII character set recognition and echo.

• RS232C and parallel output.

• 1000 character buffer, 3000 optional.

• Adjustable baud rates (75-9600).

• Spelling output mode.

• 7 octave music and sound effects.

• On board audio amplifier & power supply.

• X-On/X-Off handshaking.

MV01 Assembled with 1K buffer $299.

MVB2 Complete Kit with 1K buffer 219.

Add $15.00 for 3K buffer option.

SWEET-TALKER VOICE
SYNTHESIZER

As featured in Ciarcia 's Circuit Cellar
BYTE Magazine, September 1981

The Sweet-Talker Voice Synthesizer allows you to add
speech of unlimited vocabulary to your Apple II or any
computer with a parallel printer port at very low cost.

• Utilizes Votrax SC-01A speech synthesizer.

• Unlimited vocabulary.

• Text-to-Speech Algorithm on disk for Apple II.

• Contains 64 phonemes accessed by 6-bit code.

• Four levels of programmable inflection.

• On board audio amplifier & volume control.
ST02 Apple II plug-in, Assembled & Tested

with Text-to-Speech Algorithm on 3.3 disk . $99.
NEW LOW PRICE!!!

ST01 Parallel Port Version, Assembled 99.

New Low Price

VOTRAX SC-01A PHONETIC
SPEECH SYNTHESIZER

The SC-01A Speech Synthesizer is a completely self-
contained solid state device that phonetically synthes-
izes continuous speech of unlimited vocabulary. Used
in Microvox and Sweet-Talker.

SC01A Quantity1-99 $44. ea.

100 + 32. ea.

1000 + 24. ea.

E-Z COLOR GRAPHICS
INTERFACE

As featured in Ciarcia s Circuit Cellar
BYTE Magazine, August 1982

Add color graphics, animation & 3-D effects to your
S-100, TRS-80 Model I and III 8, Apple II at low cost.
The Super Editor software package includes a pattern
editor, sprite editor, slide show, and demo scenes all
in BASIC. Can be used with Color Monitor or TV set
and rf modulator.

• Resolution— 256 X 192 Pixels.

• 16 colors including Black & Transparent.

• 16K Bytes on board I/O mapped video memory.

• Advanced Tl TMS9918A Color Video Processor.

• 32 SPRITES facilitates 3-D effect.

• Composite Video output.

• Krell & Terrapin have LOGO software packages to
support the E-Z Color Boards.

Apple II E-Z Color plug-in board
with Super Editor on 3.3 disk.

EZ01 Assembled & Tested $119.

EZ02 Complete Kit 105.

NEW!! S-100 E-Z Color Graphics board with sound
generator. Atari type joy stick interface, plus M Basic
CP/M Super Editor Software on 8" disk.

EZ04 Assembled & Tested $289.

TRS-80 Model I or Model III E-Z Color w/ Super Edi-
tor software, power supply and enclosure.

Assembled & Tested $249.

Complete Kit 219.

300 BAUD ANSWER/ ORIGINATE
MODEM KIT NEW!!!

As featured in Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar
BYTE Magazine. March 1983

The newest item to Micromint's growing list of
products is this 300 Baud Modem. It is crystal
controlled, uses the Tl TMS 99532 IC, contains just
25 parts and can be used with an acoustic coupler or
in a direct connect mode.

MD04 Complete Kit $60.

MD05 Transformer for Direct Connect Mode 9.

AC01 Acoustic Coopler Kit $20.

TRIPLE VOLTAGE
POWER SUPPLIES

+ 5v(6 300 ma. +/- 12v@25ma.

UPS01 Assembled & Tested $35.

UPS02 Complete Kit 27.

+ 5v (a 1 Amp. + 12v (8 .5 Amp. - 12v (a 50 ma.

UPS03 Assembled & Tested 60.

UPS04 Complete Kit 50.

MICROMINT INC. 561 Willow Avenue.
Cedarhurst, NY 11516
To Order: Call Toll Free 1-800-645-3479
Far Information Call: 1-516-374-6793
Call: Monday-Friday, 9-5 PM

Circle 289 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

569

Event Queue.

Among the highlights of this
convention is a large technol-
ogy exhibit. Full details are
available from the Modern
Language Association of
America, 62 Fifth Ave., New
York, NY 10011, (212)
741-5587.

January 1984

January-February

Fundamentals of Finance and
Accounting Using a Micro-
computer, various sites
throughout the U.S. This
three-day seminar is spon-
sored by the Data Processing
Institute of the New York
University School of Con-
tinuing Education. It will
cover microcomputer appli-
cations for effective decision
making and controlling busi-
ness requirements. Previous
computer knowledge is not
required. The fee for the
course is $695. For specific
dates and locations, contact
the NYU School of Continu-
ing Education Seminar Cen-
ter, 575 Madison Ave., New
York, NY 10022, (212)
748-5094.

January 2-6

Microcomputer Applications
for Executives and Profes-
sionals: An Introductory
Hands-on Approach, Lime-
tree Beach Hotel, St. Thom-
as, Virgin Islands. Applica-
tions, word processing,
spreadsheets, data manage-
ment, and integrated soft-
ware packages are a few of
the topics to be presented at
this seminar. Depending on
enrollment, one or two peo-
ple will share IBM Personal
Computers using Lotus's
1-2-3 spreadsheet and other
selected software. For further
details, contact Dave Olson,
Computer Workshops and
Seminars Inc., 6th floor, 1701
Arch St., Philadelphia, PA
19103, (215) 496-0323.

January 4-6

Seventeenth Hawaii Interna-
tional Conference on System
Sciences, Honolulu, HI. This
conference is devoted to ad-
vances in information and
system sciences with empha-
sis on medical-information
processing, decision-support
systems, and office automa-
tion. For information, con-
tact Emily Yano Jorgensen,
Center for Executive Devel-
opment, College of Business
Administration, University
of Hawaii, 2404 Maile Way
C-202, Honolulu, HI 96822,
(808) 948-7396.

January 4-8

The Third American Society
of Computers in Medicine
and Dentistry Conference,

Sheraton Waikiki Hotel,
Waikiki, HI. The intention of
this forum is to promote the
clinical uses of microcomput-
ers in medical, dental, and
veterinary practices. The co-
sponsor of this event is the
Ohio State University De-
partment of Anesthesia. For
further details, contact
Arlene Rogers, American So-
ciety of Computers in Medi-
cine and Dentistry, POB
21483, Upper Arlington, OH
43221, (614) 421-8487.

January 8-11

Retail Directions '84, New
York Hilton and Sheraton
Centre Hotels, New York,
NY. The 73rd annual conven-
tion and exposition spon-
sored by the National Retail
Merchants Association
(NRMA) will feature new de-
velopments in retail store
technology, business sys-
tems, marketing techniques,
and sales-promotion tools.
Admission is free to bona fide
members of the retail indus-
try. For details, contacfDan
Soskin, NRMA Enterprises,
100 West 31st St., New York,
NY 10001, (212) 244-8780.

January 8-14

CADRE '84 Conference and
Teachers Institute, San Jose,

CA. Computers in Art and
Design, Research and Educa-
tion (CADRE) is a forum that
brings together leaders,
thinkers, and computerists
from all walks of life to ex-
plore the impact of compu-
ters on the arts. The Teachers
Institute begins on January
11. Its fee is $100. Registra-
tion for the conference is $200
or $250 on site. For details,
contact CADRE '84 Confer-
ence, Department of Art, San
Jose State University, Wash-
ington Square, San Jose, CA
95192, (408) 277-2555.

January 9-13

Technology Opportunity
Conference, Houston, TX.
This conference focuses on
the convergence of optical-
storage, videodisk, and com-
puter technologies. For full
details, contact Technology
Opportunity Conference,
POB 14817, San Francisco,
CA 94114, (415) 626-1133.

January 14-15

The Fourth Annual Comput-
er Fair, Northland Mall, Ster-
ling, IL. This event is spon-
sored by the Sauk Valley
Computer Club. For details,
contact Vinus Williams, Rt.
1, Milledgeville, IL 61051,
(815) 625-8585 days.

January 16-17

MOS Analog/Digital Inter-
face Circuit Design for VLSI
Systems, San Francisco Air-
port Hilton Hotel, San Fran-
cisco, CA. This short course
will emphasize applicable de-
sign techniques for very
large-scale integration sys-
tems. Course notes are in-
cluded in the $450 fee. For a
brochure, contact Continu-
ing Education in Engineering,
University of California Ex-
tension, 2223 Fulton St.,
Berkeley, CA 94720, (415)
642-4151.

January 17-19

Mini /Micro-Southeast and
Southcon/84 High Technol-
ogy Electronics Exhibition and

Convention, Orange County
Convention /Civic Center,
Orlando, FL. Mini/Mcro, de-
signed for the original equip-
ment manufacturing commu-
nity, explores peripherals,
processors, data communica-
tions, and software. A few of
the topics to be addressed at
Southcon/84 are artificial in-
telligence, computer-aided de-
sign, and factory automation.
For details on these concurrent
events, contact Electronic
Conventions Inc., 8110 Air-
port Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
90045, (213) 772-2965.

January 17-20

Uniforum, Washington Hil-
ton, Washington, DC. This
conference and exposition is
designed for and by users of
Unix-based systems. For de-
tails, contact Mark Weber,
Professional Exposition Man-
agement Co. Inc., Suite 205,
2400 East Devon Ave., Des
Plaines, IL 60018, (800)
323-5155; in Illinois, (312)
299-3131.

January 18-23

Commtex International and
NAVA/ICIA '84 Convention,
Dallas Convention Center,
Dallas, TX. This communi-
cations and information tech-
nologies exposition highlights
the latest developments in
audio-visual, video, and mi-
crocomputer products for
many communication needs.
The concurrent convention is
sponsored by the National
Audio Visual Association/
International Communica-
tions Industries Association
(NAVA/ICIA). For informa-
tion, contact Robert Milko,
NAVA, 3150 Spring St., Fair-
fax, VA 22031, (703)
273-7200.

January 23-25

Teaching Math with Micro-
computers, Hacienda Resort
Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. This
seminar, sponsored by the
National Council of Teachers
of Mathematics (NCTM), is
designed to inform educators

570 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

AVIS RAPID RETURN.

IT'S FAST. ITS EASY.
AND NO ONE HAS ANYTHING UKE IT!

IT GIVES YOU A RECORD OFYOUR
CHARGES IN WELL UNDER A MINUTE.

You'll never have to
go to the rental
counter again to
return your car and
get a record
of your rental
expense. Be-

.See how fast you can

return your car. CaUSe We

give you something no one
else can. Avis Rapid
Return" The first-ancl
only-fully automated, self-
service car return system

\P 30 S>#

© 1983 Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. Avis*

in car rental history!

And Rapid Return is as easy

to use as your pocket calculator.

Just punch in your car number,

mileage and gas gauge reading.

In well under a minute it not only
completes your car
return; it also gives
you a copy of your
rental charges.

And since you get
your charges so quickly
you'll be able to com-
plete your expense
account quickly, too.

"I get a copy of my expenses without
waiting at the rental counter!"

AVIS

NO LINES. NO WAITING.
NO COMPETITION.

The simple fact is that the compe-
tition just isn't fast enough to
beat Rapid Return. And it's been
proving itself at some of the busi-
est airports and downtown loca-
tions for the past several months.

As a result, whenever you
run to use new Rapid Return, you
won't run into a
line to slow you
down. And all
you need to use
Rapid Return is
an Avis or an-
other major
credit card.

So if you want
to return your car
and get a copy of
your rental
charges the fastest
way possible, there's just one place
to go, Avis. Because only Avis
offers the technological leadership
that delivers state of the art
services like Rapid Return.
It's designed to make car renting
faster and easier than ever for you.

It's easy to use as your
pocket calculator!

Avis features GM cars. Chevrolet Caprice Classic.

TRYING HARDER MAKES AVIS SECOND TO NONE.

For reservations and information, call 1-800-331-1212. Or your travel consultant.

Rapid Return available at many major airports and downtown locations for charge customers who require no modification of their charges.

Circle 38 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

571

Event Queue.

in elementary, intermediate,
and secondary schools about
using microcomputers effec-
tively in mathematics educa-
tion. For details, contact
NCTM Seminar Series, 1906
Association Dr., Reston, VA
22091, (703) 620-9840.

January 24-26

Advanced Semiconductor
Equipment Exposition (ASEE)
and Technical Conference,
Convention Center, San Jose,
CA. Five sessions designed as
a broad-based program focus
on the manufacturing aspect
of the semiconductor indus-
try. For details, contact Joyce
Estill, Cartlidge & Associates
Inc., Suite 205, 4030 Moor-
park Ave., San Jose, CA
95117, (408) 554-6644.

January 25-27

The Business Telecommuni-
cations Exposition, Stadium
Club, Giants Stadium, East
Rutherford, NJ. This exposi-
tion is designed for managers
in the fields of telecommuni-
cations, facsimile communi-
cations, and communications
in voice, video, and data.
Other topics to be covered
are office automation, word
processing, and purchasing.
Registration is required for
admittance to the exposition.
Contact Michael Houston,
The Exposition Group Inc.,
9128 Columbia Ave., North
Bergen, NJ 07047, (201)
662-1318.

January 27-29

Resource '84, Shamrock
Hilton Hotel, Houston, TX.
This computer exposition is
dedicated to users in the
medical, dental, legal, and
accounting professions who
need to buy a new system or
want to upgrade existing
systems. Telecommunica-
tions information and soft-
ware applicable to home and
office uses will be displayed.
Admission is free for physi-
cians, dentists, attorneys,
and accountants; all others
pay $2.50. Entrance to any or

all of the seminars is $10. For
details, contact Joyce Fadem,
Professional Resources Inc.,
POB 740433, Houston, TX
77274.

January 31-February 3

The Sixth Annual Communi-
cation Networks 1984 Confer-
ence and Exposition, Wash-
ington Convention Center,
Washington, DC. Voice and
telecommunications, elec-
tronic mail, data processing,
and communications are a few
of the products and services to
be displayed at this event.
Registration information is
available from Louise
Myerow, POB 880, Framing-
ham, MA 01701, (800) 225-
4698; in Massachusetts, (617)
879-0700.

February 1984

February 2-4

The Third Annual SCS
Multiconference, Bahia
Hotel, Mission Bay, San
Diego, CA. This conference,
sponsored by the Society for
Computer Simulation (SCS),
is composed of four confer-
ences: Modeling and Simula-
tion on Microcomputers,
Simulation in Health Care
Delivery Systems, Aerospace
Simulation, and Simulation
in Strongly Typed Lan-
guages, Ada, Pascal, Simula.
For details, contact Gloria
Rico, SCS, POB 2228, La
Jolla, CA 92038, (619)
459-3888.

February 7-9

Florida Agribusiness Com-
puter Conference and Trade
Show, Civic Center, Lake-
land, FL. This conference will
demonstrate how computers
can be used as decision-
making tools for managers in
agribusiness. The sponsor of
this second annual farm com-
puter conference is the Uni-
versity of Florida's Institute

of Food and Agricultural
Sciences (IFAS). For details,
contact IFAS Director of
Conferences, 1041 McCarty
Hall, University of Horida,
Gainesville, FL 32611, (904)
392-5930.

February 13-16

Kuwait Info '84, International
Exhibition Center, Kuwait
City, Kuwait. Exhibits in this
third annual event will en-
compass a broad range of in-
formation businesses, includ-
ing data processing, word
processing, communications,
office automation, micro-
graphics, security systems,
and environmental control
systems. Information is avail-
able from Carol Purdey, In-
termarket Network Corp . ,
Suite 203, 1110 Vermont
Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20005, (202) 822-0127.

February 13-16

ACM Computer Science
Conference, Franklin Plaza
Hotel, Philadelphia, PA. This
conference is sponsored by
the Association for Com-
puting Machinery (ACM)
and the computer science
departments of many univer-
sities. For details about the
Twelfth Annual Employment
Register, which is a highlight
of the conference, contact the
ACM Computer Science Em-
ployment Register, Depart-
ment of Computer Science,
University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 15260. For de-
tails about the ACM Com-
puter Science Conference,
contact the Association for
Computing Machinery, 1133
Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10036, (212)
265-6300.

February 20-22

1984 Office Automation
Conference (OAC '84), Los
Angeles Convention Center,
Los Angeles, CA. The fifth
annual OAC, sponsored by
the American Federation of
Information Processing Soci-

eties (AFIPS), will feature
five tracks oriented toward
the interests of managers and
administrators; technology
managers and planners;
analysts, consultants, and
implementors; product de-
signers and developers; and
users of the automated office.
For information, contact
AFIPS Inc., 1815 North Lynn
St., Arlington, VA 22209,
(703) 558-3617.

February 20-23

APAC '84, Inter-Continental
Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Arabian Productivity Ad-
vancement Using Comput-
ers/Graphics (APAC) is the
first international conference
and exposition on computer
graphics to be held in Saudi
Arabia. Industry and govern-
ment representatives from
Middle Eastern and Western
nations will attend. For infor-
mation, contact APAC '84
Conference Director, World
Computer Graphics Associa-
tion Inc., Suite 399, 2033 M
St. NW, Washington, DC
20036, (202) 775-9556.

February 21-23

Softcon, Superdome, New
Orleans, LA. This internation-
al software conference and
trade fair is designed for
retailers, independent sales
organizations, consultants,
government agencies, educa-
tional institutions, and profes-
sional software developers.
Registration is $15. For further
information, contact North-
east Expositions, 822 Boylston
St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02167,
(800) 841-7000; in Massachu-
setts, (617) 739-2000.

February 22-28

Imprinta 84, Fairgrounds,
Dusseldorf, West Germany.
This international congress
and exhibition will feature
techniques and services in
print communication and its
alternatives. For details, con-
tact Dusseldorf Trade Shows,
500 Fifth Ave., New York,
NY 10110, (212) 840-7744. ■

572 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Rulishciu/ef

The Feeder World
of Quality

Portrait and landscape forms - Models for most
letter quality printers - With or without interfaces -
Electronically or mechanically controlled - No
operator adjustments required - No reverse ▲
platen motion required - High precision
registration - UL-recognitions - Multi-part ^
forms - No paper cassettes - Field
proven - Envelope attachment -
Any paper size up to 12" x 15" - A
Clip-on mounting - Complete
control of paper and its path-
way to print-mechanism!- ^
Lightweight - The Single
Bin Cut Sheet Feeder

RT200

. Bi-directional
. Forms-Tractor.
k For precise

continuous form
. feeding.

RS700

Mechanical Sheet Feeder.
Automatic feeder with mechanical control
mechanism. No electronics required.
Driven forward by printer platen.

RS800

, Demand Sheet Feeder.

Feeds sheets on command from an external
interface. Compatible'with RS950.

most in use -

Swiss-made

quality

RS900

L Single Bin Sheet Feeder.

Self-controlled automatic feeder with internal

electronics for universal application,
k. The most widely used single bin feeder in
. the world.

Rutishauser Products are available
for a wide variety of popular types
of Letter Quality Printers.

AES • Anadex ■ Binder •
3rother- Centronics ■
Daisy Systems ■

RS 950/RS 1950 Double Bin Sheet Feeder
-. Feeds sheets from either of two supply
^. bins upon command from an external
' . interface. Direct control by printer
^- electronics. OEM supplied
' . interface or custom inter-
face available for
. selected printers.

Maybe A
you didn't know
we offer such a large
Family of Devices!

[MffliTTTTTl

Rutishauser Data AG, Rhynerstrasse9, 8712 Stafa, Switzerland

Tel. (01) 926 43 00, Tx. 875171 ruti ch

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Tel. (214) 3439154, Tx. 730609 ruti dal - a subsidiary of Rutishauser Data AG

Circle 496 on Inquiry card.

Diablo ■
Data-Royal ■
Dataproducts •
Facit • Fujitsu ■
HPI ■ IBM-System 6 •
Mannesmann Tally ■ NEC
Olympia ■ Qume • Ricoh • T.A.
Santec • SCM ■ TEC/C. Itoh • Toshiba
Walther ■ Wang • Xerox

RS 1000/RS 1100

. Programmable Double Bin Sheet Feeder. Inde-

pendent self-controlled feeding from two
' . supply bins, with or without external elec-
tronic commands. Several modes of
. operation including user programmable
sheet selection and programmed
' . platen motion sheet selection.
• Feeds sheets up to 12" wide.

RF 400 Front Feed Device.
Programmed insertion
of single or multipart
L forms for precisely
registered appli-
L cations - pre-
printed
forms,
ledger
cards,
' etc.

What's New?

HOLIDAY COMPUTING

* ,**•

Collector Plate Shows Santa Computing

A limited edition collec-
tor plate called Santa's
Computer is available
from American Artists. The
plate, executed in a
fashion similar to the late
Norman Rockwell, depicts
Santa at a computer con-
sole entering requests from
good children as his faith-
ful elves scurry about sort-
ing letters and preparing
lists for his calculations.

This 8'/2-inch fine china
plate was created by Scott

Gustafson, a Chicago-
based illustrator. Gustafson
has illustrated a number of
publications and children's
books and has worked as
an artist for the Saturday
Evening Post. The issue
price for this collectible is
S29.50. For more informa-
tion, contact American Ar-
tists, Fourth Floor, 225
West Hubbard, Chicago, IL
60610, (312)828-0555.
Circle 603 on inquiry card.

Tab-feed Greeting Cards

Seasonal greeting cards
with continuous tab feed
and clean-edge perfora-
tions have been introduced
by Compucards. The inside
of the card is blank so that
you can print your per-
sonal holiday greetings.
Complementary envelopes
are provided.

Presently, Compucards
offers a choice of
Christmas cards. The first

features Mrs. Claus ad-
justing her husband's
scarf; the second depicts
four jolly revelers arriving
in their horse-drawn
sleigh. Both cards are
rendered in red and black
inks. A package of 20
cards with envelopes is
S9.95. For details, contact
Compucards, POB 894,
Stone Mountain, GA
30086.

Computer Board
Game for Children

Computer Caper is a
computer-literacy board
game for children ages 4 to
8. It comes with stickers
and a computer riddle
book. To win, you must be
the first player to move
your computer chip from
Input Island to Printout
Pass. Two to four players
can participate. Computer
Caper is available for S10,
postage paid, from Holiday
Games Inc., 5501 West
North Ave., Milwaukee,
Wl 53208, (414) 444-
1060.
Circle 607 on inquiry card.

Home Learning

Entertainment

System

Chalk Board's Power-
pad, a touch-sensitive in-
put device, and Leonardo's
Library of software pack-
ages form an integrated
learning/entertainment sys-
tem. The Powerpad is a 1 7-
by 20-inch hard plastic
case housing a 1 2- by 12-
inch touch-sensitive tablet
that effectively replaces
your computer keyboard.
Powerpad uses a form of
membrane-switch technol-
ogy that has thousands of
digital switches that register
multiple points of contact
simultaneously.

A Mylar overlay that fits
the Powerpad work area is
supplied with each pack-
age in Leonardo's Library.
The overlay, when used
with its accompanying car-
tridge or disk software,
works with the Powerpad
to provide a range of inter-
active applications, such as
an artist's canvas or a
piano keyboard. Six subject

areas make up Leonardo's
Library: language arts,
mathematics, music,
science, social studies, and
visual arts. A Logo pack-
age and a programming kit
are among the programs
offered.

The Powerpad and Leo-
nardo's Library run on
such home computers as
the Apple II, II Plus, and lie.
Atari 400/800, Commo-
dore VIC-20 and 64, and
the IBM PC and PC/XT.
Powerpad costs S 99.95.
Software packages range
from S24.95 to 549.95. For
further information, con-
tact Chalk Board Inc., 3772
Pleasantdale Rd„ Atlanta,
GA 30340, (800) 241-
3989; in Georgia, (404)
496-0101.
Circle 604 on inquiry card.

Computer Widow
T-Shlrts

Purple-on-lavender
T-shirts and nightshirts
bearing the lament "Com-
puter Widow" are avail-
able from JMK Computer
Services. T-shirts cost
S7.95, plus S 1 .25 shipping.
The nightshirts are S 1 2.95,
with S 1 .50 postage. Con-
tact JMK Computer Ser-
vices, POB 1672, West
Caldwell, NJ 07007, (201)
227-3348.
Circle 602 on inquiry card.

Low-cost Robot

Beeps and Barrels

Along

Rhino Robots' Scorpion
is a compact, software-pro-
grammable robot that
makes noises as it trundles
along your floor.

574 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

Scorpion's base measures 9
by 12 inches and resem-
bles NASA's Lunar Land-
ing Module. With it, you
can devise your own arti-
ficial-intelligence ex-
periments while spending
less than S700.

Scorpion is equipped
with a 6502 microproces-
sor, an 8K-byte EPROM, 2K
bytes of RAM, and two
6522 interface chips that
provide 32 I/O lines and
four programmable timers,
two of which can be event
counters. Its eight micro-
switches discern obstacles
in its path and provide the
means for avoiding those
obstacles when retracing a
preset path. A two-axis op-
tical scanner with a resolu-
tion of 1 .5 degrees of scan
per step recognizes pat-

terns over a 300-degree
span in both vertical and
horizontal planes. Visual
patterns can be displayed
on your computer's video
monitor. Additional hard-
ware includes sensing
bumpers, a speaker, two
ground tracks, two "eyes,"
and four motors, two of
which are drive wheels.

Scorpion works with any
computer with an RS-232C
interface. It operates from a
12-V DC power supply.
Shipped in kit form with
complete assembly and
programming instructions,
Scorpion costs $660. For
more information, contact
Rhino Robots Inc., POB
4010, Champaign, IL
61820, (217) 352-8485.
Circle 601 on inquiry card.

Bumper Sticker for Hackers

Surprise the computer
hacker in your life with the
"I Love My Computer"
bumper sticker from Inter-
national Computer Prod-
ucts. Printed on a durable
white plastic base, this
bumper sticker features the
customary red heart to ex-
press affection. As an

added attraction, a pair of
red lips replaces the "o" in
"Computer." For each copy,
send SI. 50, plus S0.20
shipping, to International
Computer Products, 346
North Western Ave., Los
Angeles, CA 90004.
Circle 600 on inquiry card.

Computer Tie

Tie-One-On is marketing
a holiday gift for those
hard-to-buy-for males: the
computer tie. Woven into
this navy blue tie are the
words bit, byte, floppy,
hard, RAM, ROM, micro,
and mini. The tie is made of
a silk/polyester blend and is
available for SI 5.95, post-
age paid, from Tie-One-On
Inc., POB 40225, Philadel-
phia, PA 19106, (215)625-
2855.
Circle 605 on inquiry card.

SYSTEMS

IMS 1 603 2-based Megamicro Runs Unity

The Megamicro LMC-
16032, a 32-bit, virtual-
memory microcomputer
based on National Semi-
conductor's NS16032
microprocessor and run-
ning under Human Com-
puting Resources' Toronto
Unity operating system,
has been introduced by the
Logical Microcomputer
Company. The LMC-
1 6032, which operates on
the IEEE-796 (Multibus)
standard, provides de-
mand-paged address and
data space of up to 16
megabytes for each of its
32 possible users. It can
perform 161,000 double-
precision, 64-bit floating-
point multiplications per
second. The LMC- 16032
can handle 16 hard-disk
drives for a total memory
capacity of more than
1 600 megabytes.

In its basic configuration,
the LMC- 16032 comes
with virtual memory,
floating-point hardware,
5 1 2K bytes of parity check-

ing RAM, eight serial RS-
232C ports, an intelligent
disk controller, and a
20-megabyte Winchester
hard-disk drive. Toronto
Unity, an implementation
of Berkeley's 4. 1 enhance-
ment of Bell Laboratories'
Unix operating system,
serves as the DOS, and C
and FORTRAN compilers
are supplied. Fully assem-
bled and tested, the basic
system costs S 1 5,000. An
enclosure and all manuals,
cables, and power supplies
are provided.

Such optional hardware
as error-correcting RAM,
additional serial and parailel
ports, and 16-, 20-, and
40-megabyte hard-disk
drives can be ordered. Op-
tional languages include
Pascal, PL/I, COBOL, Ada,
and LISP. For further infor-
mation, contact the Logical
Microcomputer Co., 140
South Dearborn St., Chica-
go, IL 60603, (312) 580-
0250.
Circle 617 on inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 575

What's New?

Computer-aided Drafting System
for Architects

Bausch & Lomb has in-
troduced a computer-
aided drafting system for
architects. Called Prodraft,
this system has a 15-inch
high-resolution (1024 by
800) raster-graphics dis-
play and an MC68000
processor. A menu tablet
lets the operator quickly
select repetitive figures and
functions, and the 6.7-
megabyte Winchester
hard-disk drive is accom-
panied by a single-sheet, A-
to-D size plotter. Special
menus include residential,
commercial, light com-

mercial, and renovation
packages.

An Architectural Draft-
ing Library composed of
more than 100 predrawn
figures and symbols is
available. Prior computer
experience is not required
because Prodraft comes
with a training manual
and videotaped instruc-
tions. Prodraft sells for
529,995. Contact Bausch
& Lomb, Interactive
Graphics, POB 14547,
Austin, TX 78761, (512)
837-8952.
Circle 609 on inquiry card.

Single-board Computer

The single-board EQ-4
from Insight Enterprises is
compatible with CP/M 2.2
and 3.0. It has virtual
memory-mapping circuitry
that lets the Z80A central
processor and the DMA
controller directly access
128K bytes of RAM, 2K
bytes of EPROM, and 4K
bytes of video memory in
8K-byte blocks.

Interfaces incorporated
into the EQ-4 include SASI,
four serial RS-232C chan-

ts CP/M-compatible

nels with independently
programmable data rates
ranging from 110 to
76,800 bps, a Centronics
parallel printer, and floppy-
disk ports. The floppy-disk
controllers can handle
single- and double-density
5/4- and 8-inch drives si-
multaneously. CTC, DART,
and PIO peripheral con-
trollers are standard. The
parallel keyboard input ac-
commodates 7- or 8-bit
ASCII-encoded boards with

jumper-selectable active
high and low strobes.
Horizontal and vertical
sync signals and composite
video output compose
EQ-4's video features.
Standard Microsystems'
8002 video-display attri-
butes controller provides
the EQ-4 with an on-chip
character generator, 128
characters in a 7- by 1 1 -dot
matrix, and character-
oriented, wide- and thin-
line graphics. Attributes
supported for each charac-
ter are reverse video, char-
acter blank, blink, under-
line, and strike-through.

The single-unit price for
the EQ-4 is S750, which in-
cludes CBIOS, utilities, and
source codes. Complete
specifications are available
from Insight Enterprises
Corp., Suite 12, 373 North
Western Ave., Los
Angeles, CA 90004, (213)
461-3262.
Circle 613 on inquiry card.

Line of Micros

Marketed at

Compushack Stores

A line of IBM PC-com-
patible computers from
Tava Corporation is sold at
Compushack stores.

The Tava PC features
64K bytes of RAM, five PC-
compatible expansion
slots, a parallel printer inter-
face, two serial ports, and a
keyboard. The RAM is ex-
pandable to 256K bytes,
and up to nine expansion
slots are possible. It costs
S995.

The portable Tava PC 1
is an enhanced version of
the Tava PC, offering iden-
tical memory, expansion,

and interface capabilities.
Enhancements include
dual slim-line 320K-byte
5/4 -inch floppy-disk drives
and a 9-inch display. The
PC 1 retails for SI 995.

The Tava Executive PC
(base price, $2995) has
built-in network capabilities
that can accommodate 1 6
terminals. Standard hard-
ware includes 256K bytes
of RAM, 640K bytes of dual
floppy-disk storage, a
parallel printer port, and a
serial interface. RAM is ex-
pandable to 512K bytes.

For complete details,
contact your local Compu-
shack outlet or Compu-
shack, Tava Corp., 16861
Armstrong, Irvine, CA
92714, (714) 261-1000.
Circle 616 on inquiry card.

Color Computer
Uses 6809E

The Bestcom GTX- 1 000
color computer, based on
the 6809E microprocessor,
can be attached to a home
color television. The basic
GTX- 1 000 comes with 1 6K
bytes of RAM, 1 6K bytes of
ROM, a built-in modem
connector, one cassette
and two joystick interface
ports, and an RS-232C
port. An optional expan-
sion unit has provisions for
a parallel printer, additional
memory, and floppy- or
Winchester-disk drive con-
trollers. The standard
operating system is Micro-
soft Extended BASIC. Con-
tact Graphtek Corp., 2959
West Fairmount Ave.,
Phoenix, AZ 85017, (602)
277-7434.
Circle 612 on inquiry card.

576 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

Portable Computer Has Built-in
State Analyzers

Omnilogic has unveiled
Omni II, a portable CP/M-
compatible computer with
built-in timing and state
logic analyzer capabilities.
The 27-pound, software-
intensive Omni II can col-
lect 1000 data samples on
each of its 1 6 channels or,
as an option, 330 samples
per channel on up to 48
channels. For software
analysis, up to 16 chan-
nels of data recognition
are available. All test
parameters and data can
be stored on a CP/M-
based floppy-disk format
for additional off-line
analysis. Any display can
be dumped to a printer.

Omni It's hardware
specifications include a
Z80 microprocessor, 64K
bytes of memory, two
double-density 5/4 -inch
floppy-disk drives, a 9-inch
green-phosphor monitor,
and RS-232C and Cen-
tronics-type parallel ports.
It's supplied with such
general-purpose software
as CP/M-80, Perfect
Writer, Perfect Speller, Per-
fect Filer, Perfect Calc,

Profitplan, and S-BASIC.

The Omni II is priced at
S3950. Contact Omnilogic
Inc., POB87, Renton, WA
98057, (800) 228-6664; in
Washington state, (206)
271-2000.
Circle 610 on inquiry card.

Low-cost Computer

Offers High-price

Features

Memotech Corporation
is marketing a low-cost
Z80-based computer called
the MTX-512. Standard
hardware includes 64K
bytes of RAM, 16K bytes of
dedicated video RAM, real-
time clock, 256- by 192-
pixel high-resolution graph-
ics, 40-column text, 1 6 col-
ors, and user-definable
graphics abilities. I/O ports
for a Centronics-type paral-
lel printer and two game-
controllers are provided
along with separate tele-
vision and video monitor
ports, a game cartridge
port, an uncommitted port,
and a 2400-bps cassette in-
terface. Three voices, high-

fidelity output, and a
white-noise generator
make up the MTX-512's
sound capabilities. Its
79-key keyboard has sepa-
rate numeric and cursor-
control pads as well as
function keys. Oxford
BASIC and an assem-
bler/disassembler are
embedded in 1 6K bytes of
ROM.

Network interfacing, up
to 512K bytes of RAM, an

80-column video board,
dual RS-232C ports, and
5/4- and 8-inch floppy-disk
drives with CP/M are of-
fered as options. Pascal
and FORTH are available
as add-on ROM packs. The
suggested retail price for
the MTX-512 is S595. For
further information, con-
tact Memotech Corp.,
7550 West Yale Ave.,
Denver, CO 80227, (303)
986-1516.

Fiber Optics Link Multiusers in Unix
Environment

The Cadmus 9000 fami-
ly of microcomputers uses
a 50-megabit-per-second
fiber-optic link to support
64 graphics workstations
or more than 100 ter-
minals in a distributed Unix
environment. Features of

the Cadmus 9790 Ad-
vanced Function Work-
station include a 10-MHz
MC68000 microprocessor,
one-half megabyte of
main memory (expand-
able to 4 megabytes), and
a bit-mapped graphics

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

577

What's New?

controller with a 1024- by
800-pixel display area. An
adjustable 17-inch mono-
chrome video monitor, a
mouse interface, detach-
able keyboard, a 65-mega-
byte Winchester hard-disk
drive, a streaming tape
cartridge for storage back-
up, and an optional local-
area-network interface
make this multiuser Unix-
based system unique.

For complete technical
specifications, purchasing
details, and shipping infor-
mation, contact Cadmus
Computer Systems, 600
Suffolk St., Lowell, MA
01852, (617) 453-2899.
Circle 608 on inquiry card.

High-speed Board for
STD Bus

Techno has announced
a high-speed 6502-based
single-board computer for
STD-bus applications. The
CPU-lOOhasa built-in RS-
232C serial interface for
direct terminal/printer con-
nection and room for up
to 8K bytes of memory.
Two user-defined I/O
ports, two interval timers,
serial-to-parallel and
parallel-to-serial shift
registers, and two bidirec-
tional 8-bit data ports with
control lines are included.
The CPU- 1 00 can function
as the central processing
unit of a multiboard sys-
tem with memory expan-
sion to 65K bytes.

A 2K-byte monitor and
mathematics package are
available. Contact Techno
Inc., 14 Crandall Ave.,
Pompton Lakes, NJ
07442, (201) 839-0740.
Circle 6) 1 on inquiry card.

1 6-bit Computer for
Business or Personal Use

A 1 6-bit business/per-
sonal computer has been
announced by Sumicom
Inc. The basic System 330
has an 8088 microproces-
sor, 128K bytes of RAM,
three on-board expansion
slots, and a full-function
93-key ASCII keyboard.
The low-profile keyboard
offers a standard alphanu-
meric typewriter format
that's augmented with 10
numeric keys, 14 editing
keys, and eight double-
function keys. The System
330 supports CP/M-86, MS-
DOS, Pascal, FORTRAN,
COBOL, and BASIC. It
costs SI 795.

A choice of mass-storage
options is offered: single or
dual 160K-byte 5 'A -inch
floppy-disk drives, 8-inch
drives, dual 720K-byte flop-
py disks, and 8- or
16-megabyte hard disks.
Color and monochrome
display screens are avail-
able. An expansion box
providing six additional
slots can be obtained. Also
available is a linked soft-
ware package that inter-
connects five subsystems:
word processing, database

management, financial
planning, communica-
tions, and accounting. At
the heart of this software is
a system manager that per-
mits data from one applica-
tion to be extracted and in-
serted in another.

The System 330A, out-
fitted with a single
160K-byte floppy-disk
drive, MS-DOS, and an
eight-color monitor, costs
$2695. With dual disk
drives and color monitor,
the 330B is $3195. A pair
of 720K-byte floppy-disk
drives comes with the
$3625 System 330E. The
proprietary linked software
is $540. The expansion
unit ranges from $510 to
$3495, depending on op-
tional capabilities. For fur-
ther information, contact
Sumicom Inc., 17862 East
1 7th St., Tustin, CA 92680,
(714) 730-6061.
Circle 614 on inquiry card.

Dual Floppy Drives
in Single Case

Digital Equipment Cor-
poration asserts that its

Rainbow 100+ is the first
machine from a major ven-
dor to offer 256k-bit mem-
ory technology. The 1 00 +
is also said to be the first
computer to carry a Win-
chester hard-disk and twin
floppy-disk drives in a
single enclosure.

Employing both the 8-bit
Z80A and the 1 6-bit 8088
microprocessors, the Rain-
bow 1 00 + comes with 1 0
megabytes of Winchester
storage, 800K bytes of dual
floppy-disk storage, serial
synchronous and asyn-
chronous communica-
tions, memory-mapped
video, full international
character support, built-in
terminal emulator, and a
serial RS-232C/RS-423
printer port. Its 1 28K bytes
of RAM is expandable up
to 896K bytes. Diagnostics
and a computer-based in-
struction course are sup-
plied. The basic Rainbow
100+ costs $5475, in-
cluding documentation.
An operating-system kit
that includes CP/M-86/80
version 2.0 and MS-DOS
version 2.05 can be pur-
chased for $250.

Digital offers a choice of
white, green, or amber
monochrome display
monitors. Each 12-inch
monitor offers 80- or 120-
column displays, bit-
mapped graphics, and
high-definition characters.
The monitors cost $325.

For entering data, Digital
markets a low-profile key-
board for $245. Featuring
a sculptured key array, the
105-key keyboard is di-
vided into four areas: tradi-
tional typing, editing, nu-
meric, and special function.

Options include RAM

578 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

memory extensions, high-
resolution graphics, com-
plete technical documenta-
tion, and a line of printers.
Digital Equipment Corpor-
ation maintains its cor-
porate headquarters in
Maynard, MA 01 754.
Circle 619 on inquiry card.

Tabletop Computer

Creative Micro Systems'
9687 computer is available
in a variety of setups. This
tabletop machine offers 14
internal card slots, Win-
chester hard-disk capacities
ranging as high as 50
megabytes, and up to 1
megabyte of floppy-disk
storage. It can be ordered
with 10 serial ports and as
much as 1 megabyte of
RAM.

The basic 9687 features
a 2-MHz M6809 micropro-
cessor, 64K bytes of static
RAM, two serial ports, two
parallel ports, one double-
density double-sided
650K-byte floppy-disk
drive, a 20-megabyte Win-
chester hard-disk drive, and
the OS-9 operating system.
It costs $5995; quantity dis-
counts are offered. For full
details, contact Creative
Micro Systems, 3822 Cer-
ritos Ave., Los Alamitos,
CA 90720, (213) 493-
2484.
Circle 618 on inquiry card.

Tax Manager
for Accountants

Samuel Klein and Com-
pany, certified public ac-
countants, has configured
an integrated tax-manage-

ment system designed to
help accountants manage
their tax practices. The Tax
Manager comprises a port-
able computer with a self-
contained 10-megabyte
hard-disk drive, a dot-
matrix printer, and a host
of accounting software.
When equipped with a
modem, it can communi-
cate with on-line services.
The base price is S4995.

System software repre-
sents the foundation of the
Tax Manager. A key pro-
gram, called Tenforty,
gives you a single-screen
model of IRS Form 1040 so
that you can plan taxes for
the years 1981 through
1987 in a matter of sec-
onds. For review, you can
print out the tax plan. A
word processor and spell-
ing checker help you gen-
erate IRS and everyday cor-
respondence, instruction
letters for tax returns, and
mailing labels. An elec-
tronic spreadsheet provides
the means for creating
complex financial models,
budgets, and projections.
Tax Manager's relational
database gives you control
over filing requirements,
staffing, and status reports.
Financial-analysis ratios,
Bardahl test computations,
and interest schedules can
be computed. Other capa-
bilities include general led-
ger, accounts payable/re-
ceivable, and payroll.

Additional software
packages are offered. More
information is available
from Samuel Klein and Co.,
MAS Software Services
Division, 1 1 80 Raymond
Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102,
(20 1 J 624-6100.
Circle 615 on inquiry card.

SOFTWARE

Business Package Includes Spreadsheet,
Graphics Module, Word Processor

Open Access from Soft-
ware Products Interna-
tional serves as an all-in-
one "super program"
that's capable of handling
the prime tasks of a busi-
ness manager. Included in
this package are an elec-
tronic spreadsheet, a three-
dimensional color graphics
module, a word processor,
an appointment scheduler,
and a communications
module, all of which are
centered around a data-
base manager that ac-
cesses all input data. Open
Access also offers pop-up
windows that let you view
different forms of informa-
tion simultaneously with-
out going through menus
or command sequences.

Open Access is designed
for the IBM Personal Com-
puter, its compatibles, the
DEC Rainbow, and desk-
top computers from Texas
Instruments, NCR, and
Wang. It costs $595. For
more information, contact
Software Products Interna-
tional, 10343 Roselle St.,

San Diego, CA 92121

(619) 450-1526.

Circle 636 on inquiry card.

Business Tool Can Be
Run by Novices

Novices and experts can
use Sofstar's Business Plan-
ning Tool to create bud-
gets, forecasts, and busi-
ness plans in familiar
income-statement and bal-
ance-sheet formats. Ac-
counts are defined by posi-
tioning the IBM Personal
Computer's cursor at the
desired location and enter-
ing an account name. Ac-
counts must fall within one
of the following categories:
income, expense, assets, or
liabilities and equity.

The Business Planning
Tool features a 12-month
window that presents a
range of possibilities based
on assumptions contained
in account descriptions. A
graph screen is used to dis-
play a horizontal bar graph
of an account. All data or

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 579

What's New?

individual components of
an account can be
displayed or edited. Editing
of constants and seasonal
variations is provided. The
Business Planning Tool
does not require program-
ming commands or special
symbols. All formatting is
completely automatic.
Another feature is the
ability to write complex,
Preformatted spreadsheets
that can be used with
Visicorp's Visicalc.

The Business Planning
Tool runs on 128K-byte
IBM Personal Computers
with one disk drive. It costs
S ] 95 and is manufactured
by Sofstar Inc., 13935 U.S.
Highway #1, Juno Beach,
FL 33408, (305) 627-55 1 1 .
Circle 620 on inquiry card.

Utility Programs with
the Inside Track

The Inside Track is a col-
lection of utility programs
for the IBM Personal Com-
puter from Data Base Deci-
sions. This package com-
prises 61 programs that
provide you with assem-
bly-language-assisted
speed by means of subrou-
tines that can be called
from interpretive BASIC or
from a compiled language.
These subroutines perform
such functions as read and
write files as fast as DOS,
display data on screen four
to 1 0 times faster than the
BASIC PRINT statement,
copy memory from one
location to another, and
copy-protect disks. Certain
programs let you reverse a
block of memory for use as
a program scratchpad or
limit the memory used by

compiled BASIC programs
to eliminate reloading of
COMMAND.COM and to
allow concurrent program
loading. Other programs
handle such chores as dy-
namically scheduling up to
four programs from within
a program.

The Inside Track requires
a 64K-byte IBM PC with
PC-DOS, a disk drive, and
an 80-column monitor.

Most of the programs run
with any version of PC-
DOS; however, a few pro-
grams require DOS 2.0, in
which case 128K bytes of
memory is necessary. This
package is available fac-
tory-direct for S45, plus
S2.50 shipping, from Data
Base Decisions, 14 Bonnie
Ln„ Atlanta, GA 30328,
(404) 256-3860.
Circle 635 on inquiry card.

Cash and Time-Management
Programs Aid Professionals

American Software Ap-
plication Programs has an-
nounced five cash-control
and time-management
programs designed for pro-
fessionals: Due Process for
attorneys, Net Worth for
CPAs, the Blue Print for ar-
chitects, the Spec Sheet for
engineers, and the Guide
Line for consultants. Each
program provides com-
plete client accounting
with 1 8 different statement
formats, comprehensive
management reports, ap-
pointment scheduling, and

letter writing with name
and address merge capabil-
ities. Also provided is a utili-
ty program that repairs files
and indexes, splits files onto
several disks, merges files
when upgrading to a hard-
disk drive, and backs up
files for historical records.

These programs run on
CP/M and CP/M-86 sys-
tems. They come with doc-
umentation designed for
first-time users. Free dealer
and end-user support is
provided over toll-free tele-
phone lines. Each program

retails for S995; demonstra-
tion kits are available for
S 70. For more information,
contact American Software
Application Programs, Suite
270, 100 East Thousand
Oaks Blvd., Thousand
Oaks, CA 91360, (800)
252-2727; in California,
(805) 496-5329.
Circle 626 on inquiry card.

Machine-Independent
Operating System

SI is a general-purpose,
machine- and processor-in-
dependent operating sys-
tem from Multi Solutions.
Distinctive characteristics
include building-block con-
struction, machine-lan-
guage implementation,
system facilities for applica-
tions, networking facilities,
real-time operation, file-sys-
tem compatibility, and win-
dow management. Up to
256 processors can be
simultaneously supported
with any task running on
the central processor. It of-
fers conventional com-
mand processors, menus,
and prompts; extensive
graphic support; window-
ing and bit-mapping; and
bit-mapped printer/plotter
and terminal support.

S 1 is portable to a variety
of systems, including 32-bit
machines. It can read and
write files to and from
CP/M, MP/M II, MS-DOS,
Unix, Xenix, p-System, Flex,
and other operating sys-
tems. It presently is running
on Z80, 68000, and
8080/8085 computers.
Languages available in-
clude C, FORTRAN, and
Pascal.

Prices for a precon-

580 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

figured SI package begin
at $200. OEM and system
houses inquiries are wel-
come. For a brochure out-
lining this product, contact
Multi Solutions Inc., 660
Whitehead Rd., Lawrence-
ville, NJ 08648, (609)
695-1337.
Circle 623 on inquiry card.

Write Your Own
Programs at Home

Dynatech Microsoft-
ware's Home File Writer
enables Commodore 64
and Atari 800 and XL series
users to write a variety of
applications programs for
everyday use. Possible ap-
plications include house-
hold inventory, recipe files,
medical and health rec-
ords, mailing lists, and tax
information. This self-
prompting program lets
you enter the screen for-
mat and calculations onto
your monitor in plain
English. It then translates
your information into a
form that will work on the
computer. Home File
Writer rejects improper or il-
legal input and gives you
another opportunity to
enter your data correctly.
Once your application pro-
gram is written. Home File
Writer can be removed,
which minimizes hardware
overhead. Its operation is
totally transparent.

Home File Writer is sup-
plied with documentation.
It costs $69.95. For more
details, contact Dynatech
Microsoftware Inc., 7847
North Caldwell Ave., Niles,
IL 60648, (800) 621-4109;
in Illinois, (312) 470-0700.
Circle 625 on inquiry card.

By a Factor of Two

Two encryption systems
based on the National
Bureau of Standards Data
Encryption Standard have
been developed by Prime
Factors.

U-Psypher is a file-ori-
ented, interactive program
for full-file encryption on
computers that run CP/M,
MP/M, and MS-DOS. Des-
crypt/MS is a DES assem-
bler source code for 8080,
8085, Zilog Z80, 8086.
and 8088 microproces-
sors. Both encryptors can
be integrated into real-time
systems. Implementations,
module sizes, and through-
put requirements are user-
specifiable. U-Psypher
costs $99; Descrypt/MS
with source code DES is
$ 1 500. Contact Prime Fac-
tors, 6529 Telegraph Ave.,
Oakland, CA 94609, (415)
654-5090.
Circle 624 on inquiry card.

Lobo Chats to the
Max

Compu-Talk, an assem-
bly-language program,
turns the Lobo Max-80
computer into a talking
computer. With Compu-
Talk, the Lobo can interac-
tively communicate with
Votrax's Type'NTalk or
Personal Speech System.
This program provides
spelled speech, identifica-
tion of uppercase and
lowercase characters, key-
stroke echo, and audible
feed of program control
keys. The voice can be
switched on or off at any
time, and it can be set to
spell out acronyms. It
speaks and reads the line

and column number on
which the cursor is located,
provides page and line re-
view, and vocalizes special
characters.

Compu-Talk requires
one 5/4 -inch disk drive,
Type'NTalk, a connector
cable, and the LDOS oper-
ating system. A version is
available for Radio Shack
TRS-80 Models I, II, III, IV,
12, and 16. Compu-Talk
costs $129.95. A complete
package containing the
program, interface cable,
and Type'NTalk is avail-
able for $429.85. The doc-
umentation alone is $20.
Contact Compu-Talk Sys-
tems, POB 28355, Colum-
bus, OH 43228, (614)
279-8271.
Circle 632 on inquiry card.

Drafting Training
Program

A computer-aided draft-
ing program for training
high school and college
students, GRID can pro-
duce, store, retrieve, and
edit two- and three-dimen-
sional drawings. Entirely
menu-driven, GRID
(Graphics Instruction De-
vice) runs on Hewlett-
Packard HP-85, -86. and
-87 desktop computers.

Features of the program
include single-keystroke
commands, English-lan-
guage instructions, and the
ability to plot drawings on
the video display and
three-dimensional data in
either orthographic, iso-
metric, or cabinet views. A
graphics editor lets students
see results of an editing
command as it's entered,
and GRID'S single-step

mode lets you watch a
drawing develop one line
at a time. It has the ability
to step backward through
your drawing command,
erasing lines as it goes.
Drawing commands in-
clude points, arc, circle,
polygon, and step/repeat.
With a digitizer module,
GRID costs $495, including
manual. It's available in
3'/2- and 5 14 -inch floppy-
disk formats. Contact Re-
sponsive Logic, 156
Donald St., Oregon City,
OR 97045, (503) 655-
4980.
Circle 622 on inquiry card.

Burroughs Emulation

for Personal

Computers

Intercomputer Commu-
nications Corporation's
Intercom 100 software
allows such personal com-
puters as Corona, Colum-
bia, Eagle, Compaq, and
IBM to emulate a Bur-
roughs MT983/TD830 on-
line terminal. It simul-
taneously supports up to
five addresses: four for con-
current operator dialogues
and bidirectional file trans-
fers and one for back-
ground printing. This pro-
gram offers a plain-English
configuration and menus
that are clear enough for
nontechnical users.

Intercom 100 comes on
a 5/4 -inch floppy disk.
Each copy costs $99. For
further information, con-
tact Intercomputer Com-
munications Corp., Suite
2A, 3195 Linwood Ave.,
Cincinnati, OH 45208,
(513) 321-3199.
Circle 634 on inquiry card.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 581

What's New?

Visicalc IV Features Graphics, Data
Management, and User-Defined Commands

Visicorp has announced
the availability of Visicalc
IV for the IBM PC and XT.
This program integrates all
the features of standard
Visicalc and extends them
with graphics, sorting,
spreadsheet management,
and a capability for user-
defined commands,
known as Keysaver. Visi-
calc IV's new graphics
commands let you convert
spreadsheet data into a
graphical format instantly.
"What-if" analyses can be
created with a single key-
stroke that calls up one or
more of the eight integral
graphics options. Complex
or special graphs can be
stored on disk and later
quickly retrieved with a
single keystroke. Graphs
can be printed in standard
or large size, normal or
reverse image, and normal
or sideways. Available
graphs include area, bar,
dot, pie, scatter, line, and
such sophisticated graphs
as high, low, closed, and
stacked and comparative
bar. Both monochrome
and color graphics are sup-
ported.

Visicalc IV's high-speed
sorting and rearranging
capabilities treat your
spreadsheets as if they
were a database. This
allows you to generate ad
hoc reports as well as stan-
dard financial models. Sort-
ing can be performed on
rows or subsets of rows;
columns can be rearranged
with a few keystrokes.

The Keysaver feature lets
you store a series of Visi-
calc commands and opera-
tions under any key, in-
cluding function keys. A

single file can accom-
modate as many as 66 user
commands. Defining a
keystroke sequence is said
to be a simple operation
because the software con-
tinually tracks the last 75
characters typed. At any
time, you can recall these
keystrokes, define them as
a command, and assign
them to a function key, or
you can modify the se-
quence if desired.

Visicalc IV is available
from Visicorp dealers na-
tionwide. The suggested
retail price is S250. Visicorp
is headquartered at 2895
Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA
95 1 34, (408) 946-9000.
Circle 638 on inquiry card.

Technical Analysis

Tools Bundled in

Single Program

A number of analysis
tools are packed into the
Technical Investor from Sa-
vant Corporation. This pro-
gram contains three types
of moving averages, five
different volume indicators,
regressions, point and
figure charts, speed resis-
tance lines, relative
strength plots, and oscilla-
tor functions. Automatic
routines let you define the
charts you want. Up to
four chart windows can be
displayed simultaneously,
and each window is inde-
pendently controllable. If
your IBM PC or Compaq
computer is equipped with
a smart modem, communi-
cations with either the
Dow Jones News/Retrieval
or the Warner Computer

Systems database can be
achieved with a press of a
button. You can also mix
the types and amounts of
data in disk storage.

The Technical Investor
requires 128K bytes of
memory, dual double-sided
double-density disk drives,
and a color graphics card.
A dot-graphics printer and
a modem are strongly re-
commended. The list price
is $395, which includes a
manual with instructions
for novices and details for
experienced users. Com-
plete information is avail-
able from Savant Corp.,
POB 440278, Houston, TX
77244, (800) 231-9900; in
Texas, (713) 556-8363.
Circle 627 on inquiry card.

Teacher Authoring
System Is Easy to Use

TAS, Teacher Authoring
System, is a menu-driven
program that's designed to
adapt to any classroom
curriculum. Running on the
Radio Shack TRS-80 Models
III and IV, TAS combines an
authoring program with
presentation, student rec-
ords, and file-maintenance
programs so that even
teachers without program-
ming experience can use it
to create computerized les-
sons. With this program,
teachers can write up to 10
pages of text and design
graphics to highlight ma-
terial, store pages tempor-
arily for later recall, add up
to 50 questions to refer-
ence any one of five re-
view pages, print master
lists of questions and ans-
wers, and adjust a lesson's
format for each student.

This two-module system

comes with an instructor
disk (with backup) for the
development and main-
tenance of lessons and stu-
dent records and a student
disk with the presentation
program and a sample
lesson. The user manual
contains a tutorial section
that describes the lesson
development process and
a reference section. It re-
quires 48K bytes of
memory and a disk drive.
The retail price is S 149.95.
Complete information is
available from Teach Your-
self By Computer Software,
2128 West Jefferson Rd.,
Pittsford, NY 14534, (716)
424-5453.
Circle 630 on inquiry card.

Maglcblnd Upgrades
Word Processors

Magicbind is a file-merg-
ing program with ad-
vanced features for users of
Wordstar, Magic Wand,
and other CP/M-based text
editors that generate ASCII
files. At any time with
Magicbind, you can insert
data items into the main
body of a document,
merge two or more files in-
to a single document,
select records based on
special classification codes,
verify data-file accuracy by
examining the number of
fields in each record and
the number of digits in a
field, print mailing labels,
and automatically number
chapters, paragraphs, ar-
ticles, and listed items.
Magicbind maintains sepa-
rate page- and record-
number counters, which
facilitates selective printing
of multipage documents. In
addition, it provides more

582 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

than 60 print-formatting
capabilities, including bold-
face, underline, superscript,
subscript, accenting, auto-
matic footnoting, and pro-
portional, nonproportional,
justified, and nonjustified
printing.

Magicbind requires 48K
bytes of RAM and a Diablo
63071650-compatible
printer or a NEC Spinwriter.
It costs S250. The print-
formatting program, called
Magicprint, can be pur-
chased separately for
SI 95. For full details, con-
tact Computer Editype Sys-
tems, 509 Cathedral Park-
way 10A, New York, NY
10025, (212) 222-8148.
Circle 670 on inquiry card.

Business Package for
Model 100

Businesspak + , a set of
six cassette-based business
programs for the Radio
Shack Model 100, has
been introduced by the
Portable Computer Support
Group. The complete pack-
age, including manual,
costs 589.95.

For word processing,
Write + lets you set mar-
gins, right-justify type, and
print multiple copies. It has
more than 36 features, and
it supports both serial and
parallel printers. A planning
tool and minispreadsheet,
Expns+ provides 18 col-
umns with up to 18 entries
each. This spreadsheet can
give you totals for each
day and category. Names
of rows and columns can
be changed, and replica-
tion across columns,
cumulative totals, and
automatic growth or

decline rate projection are
offered. All its mathematics
functions are built in.

For printing out bar, line,
and pie graphs of any
Expns-i- report, there's
Graph + . This program
shows the percents on pie
charts and the values on
other charts, and it works
with the DMP-1 00 and
other dot-matrix printers.
Put + lets you list informa-
tion in an organized man-
ner. It features prompts and

the ability to rapidly create
addresses or schedule
items. Sort+ lets you
alphabetically or numerical-
ly sort any list compiled
with Put+ . Telex + allows
you to send mailgram mes-
sages over telephone lines.
For full details, contact
Portable Computer Support
Group, 1 1035 Harry Hines
Blvd., #207, Dallas, TX
75229, (212) 351-0564.
Circle 631 on inquiry card.

Word Processor for Eagles

Muse Word Processing
from Marc Software Inter-
national, which offers an
advanced scientific typing
feature with 13 levels of
super/subscripts, is avail-
able for the Eagle PC and
1600 Series computers.
Special character sets are
supported on the Eagle so
that Greek and mathe-

matics characters can be
displayed on the video
screen. This package pro-
vides the processing re-
quired to coordinate the
key that is struck on the
keyboard with the on-
screen character and with
the character that is
printed. Standard features
include a spelling checker.

mailing-list processor, ab-
breviation glossary, column
functions, automatic hy-
phenation, and advanced
document-selection capa-
bility. Muse offers a
recovery system that saves
a document when your
computer crashes and an
encryption feature that pro-
vides password security.

The Muse Word Proces-
sor runs on 256K-byte
Eagles supporting a hard
disk and DOS 1.1 or 2.0.
The single-copy price is
$595; multiple discounts
are offered. The manufac-
turer provides full technical
support and general infor-
mation by means of a hot-
line service. Contact Marc
Software International Inc.,
Suite 200, 260 Sheridan
Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306,
(415) 326-1971.
Circle 629 on inquiry card.

Music Learning
System

Simply Music is a product
for learning music on the
Alphasyntauri Computer
Music System. This soft-
ware is designed to en-
hance the way music is
heard, played, and
learned. It offers three dis-
plays that show live key-
board playing and prere-
corded pieces in action:
Grand Staff, Keyboard Pic-
ture, and Color Bar/Oc-
tave. Grand Staff displays
bass and treble notes on-
screen and, as you play the
keyboard, notes and
chords are shown on the
staff. With Keyboard Pic-
ture, the keyboard is de-
picted in a top-down view
on your monitor with each

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 583

What's New?

key labeled with its letter
name. Individual notes are
assigned a color and a
position on your screen
and each octave has its
own row with the Color
Bar/Octave display. As
notes are played, the color
bars light up, showing their
relative position within the
octave. Song parts can be
switched off, lowered in
volume, or revoiced for dif-
ferent instruments. Other
features include key trans-
position and speed control.
Simply Music is available
for both four- and five-
octave Alphasyntauri
Music Systems. It costs
SI 99. Complementary
courseware packages are
offered. A complete Simply
Music courseware pack-
age, including a four-
octave synthesizer, costs
S i 495. For more details,
contact Syntauri Corp.,
Suite 1 1 2, 4962 El Camino
Real, Los Altos, CA 94022,
(415) 966-1273.
Circle 637 on inquiry card.

PERIPHERALS

Device Enlarges

Displays for Visually

Impaired

The Model DP- 10 from
Visualtek is a plug-in device
that aids the visually im-
paired by automatically en-
larging the characters dis-
played on Apple monitors.
This device magnifies char-
acters from 2 to 16 times
their original size without
operator intervention or
special programming. Since
the DP- 10 enlarges charac-
ters up to 5 inches high,
only a portion of the ori-
ginal display can be seen at
one time. To fix this, a user

control panel, operating
much like a joystick, pro-
vides control over the im-
age. With the control
panel, users can access
material at speeds of up to
600 words per minute.

The Model DP- 10 works
with the Apple II, II Plus,
and He. The base price is

S2495. A similar unit for
the IBM PC will be an-
nounced during the first
quarter of 1984. Full details
are available from Visualtek
Inc., 1610 26th St., Santa
Monica, CA 90404, (213)
829-6841.
Circle 65 1 on inquiry card.

APPLE II LOGIC ANALYZER SYSTEM

System Converts Apple

Total Logic Corporation
has announced the availa-
bility of a hardware and
software system that con-
verts the Apple II into a
sophisticated logic ana-
lyzer. The LA- 100 offers
such capabilities as a 1 6-bit-
wide data path, 1024-
word memory, qualified
clock inputs, a 1 6-bit trigger
word that allows data col-
lection to begin or end on
the trigger with or without
a programmable delay,
and the ability to display
data either as bits or as a
timing-like graphics display.
The LA- 100 also lets you
use your Apple's disk sub-
system for both storing and

II into Logic Analyzer

recalling data and instru-
ment setups.

The LA- 100 system is
made up of a plug-in card,
connector cable, and soft-
ware. It costs S795, includ-
ing a comprehensive users
manual. It can be ordered
factory-direct from Total
Logic Corp., Suite 1 10, 343
West Drake, Fort Collins,
CO 80526, (303)
226-5980.
Circle 649 on inquiry card.

Triple Apple
Execution Speed

Titan Technologies' Ac-
celerator II is said to more

than triple the execution
speed of virtually all Apple
II and II Plus programs.
When attached to any Ap-
ple slot, this 6502-based
card creates parallel opera-
tions: the Apple's main
board handles video out-
put while the Accelerator II
duplicates the Apple's 48K
bytes of memory. In addi-
tion, this card supplies the
Apple with a built-in lan-
guage card.

The Accelerator II is
hardware compatible with
most standard Apple pe-
ripherals. All peripherals,
however, are not able to
run at faster speeds (e.g.,
disk drives and modems).
To compensate for this,
switches are provided to
decrease the speed for indi-
vidual devices. The Ac-
celerator II has a suggested
retail price of S599. For
more information, contact
Titan Technologies, 310
West Ann St., Ann Arbor,
Ml 48104, (313)662-8542.
Circle 640 on inquiry card.

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'■tsfci

36 Seconds of

Preprogrammed

Speech

Voice-Alive can be pre-
programmed for up to 36
seconds of speech. This
speech-synthesizer board is
said to provide tape-record-
er-quality speech, complete
with inflections and emo-
tions. A self-contained unit,
Voice-Alive comes with a

584 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

1 -watt audio amplifier and
up to 12 ROMs for vocabu-
lary. Standard features in-
clude programmed time
delays of up to one hour, a
56-pin edge connector,
and eight inputs for initiat-
ing separate messages or
words. Inputs can be ac-
tivated by TTL signals or by
shorting them through
ground contacts. Lookup
tables for each input ac-
tivate single or multiple
messages, repeat a single
message, or activate multi-
ple messages interspersed
with pauses. Voice-Alive
can be activated by micro-
processor signals or by sim-
ple switch closures. It mea-
sures 4'/2 by 6'/2 inches.

A single Voice-Alive
costs between $350 and
$750, depending on mem-
ory requirements. For
orders of one to five units, a
vocabulary set-up charge
of $250 is applied. Custom
vocabularies, such as a for-
eign language, are avail-
able. For particulars, con-
tact Datavoice Corp., Suite
1900, 2 North LaSalle St.,
Chicago, IL 60602, (312)
327-8488.
Circle 643 on inquiry card.

Module Accepts 32K
of Static Memory

The processor-indepen-
dent 5006A STD bus mem-
ory module can accom-
modate up to 32K bytes of
static memory. This
module will accept
6 1 1 6-type RAMs, type
2716 EPROMs. MOS
ROMs, and 5-volt pin-com-
patible EEPROMs. Different
types of static memories
can be intermixed without

module reconfiguration,
and unused sockets are
automatically disabled.
With 6116 series RAMs, ac-
cess times of 1 00, 1 20, and
150 ns are possible. A
single 5-volt power supply
is required.
The 5006A memory

module is available in
populated and depopu-
lated versions for $250 and
$99, respectively. Contact
STD Microsystems, 399
Sherman Ave., Palo Alto,
CA 94306, (415) 327-
6800.
Circle 650 on inquiry card.

Analog I/O Board Commodore
Compatible

The Model 24/8 Analog
I/O board expands Com-
modore VIC-20s and 64s
with eight channels of A/D
and eight channels of D/A.
The A/D converter is 12
bits wide, and its fast ac-
quisition time (100 /xs)
makes it suitable for data
acquisition. The Model
24/8's on-board RAM per-
mits high sample rates and
block moves of data to the
host computer. The 8-bit
D/A channels are suitable
for most control applica-
tions.

The Model 24/8 can
serve as a stand-alone con-
troller or its control loop
can be closed with the
Commodore for user
supervision and interac-
tion. Its sample rate, chan-

nel selection, and oper-
ating modes are under
your control through sup-
plied software.

The Model 24/8 costs
approximately $295. Kits
may be available during
the first quarter of 1984.
For full specifications, write
to Applied Electronics Con-
sultants, POB 349, Clem-
son, SC 29633.
Circle 648 on inquiry card.

Finger Print
Your Printers

Finger Print lets users of
IBM PC and Epson printers
select a variety of print
functions by merely tap-
ping the printer's panel

buttons, eliminating the
need for special control
characters. Among its 10
special print functions are
perforation skip-over, left
margin indent, buffer clear,
and compressed, double-
wide, and emphasized
characters. No soldering is
required.

Finger Print is supplied
with operating instructions
and control panel refer-
ence labels. It costs $59.95.
Contact Dresselhaus Com-
puter Products, 837 East
Alosta Ave., Glendora, CA
91740, (213) 914-5831.
Circle 644 on inquiry card.

Communications

Manager Is

Z80 Computer

Babytalk is an intelligent
communications-manage-
ment interface for the IBM
PC and Texas Instruments
Professional Computer.
Babytalk, produced by
Microlog, is a self-con-
tained Z80-based miCrO-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

585

What's New?

computer that provides a
terminal emulator, a smart
modem, a print spooler,
64K bytes of dynamic
RAM, CP/M-80 compatibili-
ty, and automatic time/
date. It emulates such pro-
tocols as 3270 bisync and
3270 SNA, and 3780
batch/bisync as well as a
variety of asynchronous
terminals, including DEC
VT-100 and IBM 3101. Its
on-board modem offers
300-, 600-, and 1200-bps
operation and auto-dial
and auto-answer. This
direct-connect modem sup-
ports Bell 103/202 and
CCITT V.21/V.23 pro-
tocols. For print spooling,
Babytalk has both serial
and parallel ports. Other
features include a utility
that lets you define func-
tion keys with multistroke
sequences up to 80 char-
acters long.

Babytalk costs $895. For
more information, contact
Microlog Inc., 222 Route
59, Suffern, NY 10901,
(914) 368-0353.
Circle 642 on inquiry card.

Colorful Speech
Introduced

Spectrum Projects has in-
troduced a low-cost voice-
synthesizer for the Radio
Shack TRS-80 Color Com-
puter. Built around the
Votrax SC01 phoneme
synthesizer, the Voice Pak

has an unlimited vocabu-
lary, automatic inflection,
four programmable pitch
levels, and the ability to
produce a full sentence
from a single line of BASIC.
It's equipped with a voice
editor that can create an
unlimited number of words
and sound effects.

The Voice Pak ROMpak
is supplied with a users
manual and a software
cassette. Fully assembled
and tested, it costs $69.95,
plus $3 per order for ship-
ping and handling. Voice
Pak is available directly
from Spectrum Projects,
93-15 86th Dr., Wood-
haven, NY 11421, (212)
441-2807.
Circle 641 on inquiry card.

PUBLICATIONS

Round Table's
Gathering

Computer Business is a
monthly publication con-
taining abstracts of articles
published in business, fi-
nancial, and computing
magazines. Produced by
Round Table Associates,
the contents explore
what's new and signifi-
cant in computer and
communications publica-
tions. Topics are arranged
under the categories of
mainframes, mini- and
microcomputers, soft-
ware, peripherals, data
communications, office
automation, consumers,
electronics, and more.
Back issues are $15. Con-
tact Round Table Associ-
ates, POB 45923. Los An-
geles, CA 90045, (213)
649-2846.
Circle 659 on inquiry card.

Directory Focuses on Distributors of
Microcomputer Software

A directory that focuses
on the microcomputer-
software middleman,
Micro Software Distribu-
tors: A Sourcebook for
Publishers Seeking New
Markets, contains profiles
of more than 1 50 compa-
nies that purchase or li-
cense software for quan-
tity resale. Each company
is described in terms of the
software it seeks, what it
pays, the marketing rights
it obtains, to whom it sells,
and the support it pro-
vides. Explanations about
submitting proposals are
included. The directory,
which costs $95, covers
hardware and software
manufacturers, book pub-
lishers, retailers, and other
organizations seeking pro-
grams for resale. Contact

Software Research Co.,
POB 9524, Drawer C,
Washington, DC 20016,
(202) 364-8700.
Circle 654 on inquiry card.

By and for Lisa Users

Signal is a free newslet-
ter produced by the Sema-
phore Corporation for
users of Apple's Lisa. Its
entire format is created
using only the Lisa.
Subscriptions are free to
users who submit the
serial numbers of their
Lisas. Other readers can
subscribe to Signal for $ 1 0
for 10 issues; $20 outside
of North America. Contact
Signal, 207 Granada Dr.,
Aptos, CA 95003.
Circle 656 on inquiry card.

586 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

Japan's News
from Satellite

Satellite Systems Engi-
neering of Bethesda,
Maryland, produces a bi-
weekly newsletter that is a
source of news and infor-
mation about telecommu-
nications in Japan. It cov-
ers such subjects as tech-
nological advances, new
products, joint ventures,
computers, legislative and
administrative actions, and
people. The Japan Tele-
communications News
costs S325 annually. If
you subscribe before
1984, you'll receive a dis-
count. Contact Satellite
Systems Engineering Inc.,
Japan Telecommunica-
tions News, Suite 520E,
7315 Wisconsin Ave.,
Bethesda, MD 20814.
Circle 655 on inquiry card.

Vector Electronic
Offers Catalog

Almost 1000 electronic
packaging, breadboard-
ing, and prototyping items
are described in Vector
Electronic Company's 68-
page catalog. One-third of
the catalog covers micro-
computer prototyping
boards for the VME,
S-l 00, Multi-, andSTD-bus
systems. Other systems in-
clude the IBM PC, Exorci-
sor, Apple II, DEC, and
Tl 980. Another section of
the catalog covers a large
variety of card racks and
cases with a cross-index
between card size and
case-model number. Con-
tact Vector Electronic Co.,
12460 Gladstone Ave.,
Sylmar, CA 91342, (213)
365-9661.
Circle 658 on inquiry card.

For Apple Software
In Education

A directory about cur-
rent educational software
programs produced for the
Apple II is organized by
subject, contains a master
index, and provides a pub-
lisher-information section.
The 1983-84 Swift's Edu-
cational Software Direc-
tory— Apple II Edition
reflects this year's increase
in software listings with an
enhanced format for en-
tries. The price is SI 8.95.
Contact Sterling Swift
Publishing Co., 7901
South IH-35, Austin, TX
78744, (512) 282-6840.
Circle 662 on inquiry card.

Free Telex Book

Telex Communications
from Your Personal Com-
puter, Word Processor, or
Terminal, a 20-page free
booklet from RCA Com-
munications Inc., describes
how to register for the
Telex service, the tele-
phone interface and sig-
naling protocol reguired,
how to send a Telex
message in real time or
store and forward, and

how to receive incoming
Telex messages through
real time or an RCA Data-
bank. It includes sample
formats as well. For de-

tails, contact RCA Com-
munications Inc., 60 Broad
St., New York, NY 10004,
(212) 806-7736.
Circle 663 on inquiry card.

Netcom

Products lor TafeCQMi&itnkittti&m

• DaidCo'^truuK,!-'':'^ Switches

{uuiflijiiui

nimu

Products for Telecommunications

A free 12-page catalog
is available from Netcom,
manufacturers of telecom-
munications eguipment
and accessories. The cata-
log includes information
on cable assemblies, data-
communications switches,
sharing devices, modems
and interfaces, power
conditioners, patching sys-
tems, and other tools
needed in telecommunica-
tions. The company's
product line includes a full
range of AC power-line
conditioning eguipment.

filters, and voltage regu-
lators, and services such as
system design, installation,
and testing. For a catalog,
contact Netcom, 79 Hazel
St., Glen Cove, NY 1 1542,
(516) 67 1-88 11.
Circle 653 on inquiry card.

For Your 64

What's? for the 64 is a

resource guide of new
products for the Commo-
dore 64 computer. Over

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

587

What's New?

100 pages include infor-
mation about programs,
software, peripherals, in-
terfaces, book titles, maga-
zines, and user groups that
cater to the Commodore
64. It includes a directory
of sources that focus on
operating needs encoun-
tered by owners. The

book includes a magazine-
article bibliography of
literature and written pro-
grams. The guide sells for
S 1 5. Contact What's? for
the 64, 3494 Chickasaw
Circle, Lake Worth. FL
33463.
Circle 661 on inquiry card.

CHIPS

COUNTER A

COUNTER B

Block diagram ol the RCA Dual
Timer/Counter MOTEL Interface, CDP6848.

Chip Counts

A CMOS dual counter/
timer chip is compatible
with general-purpose and
multiplexed address and
data buses of popular
microprocessors. The
CDP6848 is a CMOS pe-
ripheral device capable of
operating on the Moto-
rola-Intel (MOTEL) micro-
processor bus in five
modes. The chip accepts
separate read and write
signals or a common read/
write signal with a data
strobe. Counters and reg-
isters can be addressed in
memory directly by such
microprocessors as RCA
CMOS CDP6805. 8048,
8049, 805 1 , and NSC 800.
Contact RCA/Solid State
Division, POB 3200,

and Times

Somerville, NJ 08876,
(800) 526-2177; in New
Jersey, (201) 685-6423.
Circle 667 on inquiry card.

4-blt Smart LCD
Driver/Controller

A CMOS 4-bit, single-
chip LCD controller/driver
called the /*PD7514 can
drive either three or four
backplanes in triplexed or
quadruplexed modes or
two backplanes in bi-
plexed mode. It offers low
power consumption and
operates from a single
+ 5-V power supply.
Other features include
four vectored interrupts
(two internal and two ex-

ternal) and two standby
modes. Its instruction set
consists of 97 instructions.
The /iPD7514 is available
in an 80-pin flat-pack con-
figuration. It costs $8.95
for large-quantity orders
and is available from NEC
Electronics USA Inc., One
Natick Executive Park,
Natick, MA 01760, (617)
655-8833.
Circle 668 on inquiry card.

Low-Power
Quad Comparator

The LP339 consists of
four independent voltage
comparators in a single
chip designed to draw
only 60 microamperes of
total current. Each com-
parator operates over a
common-mode voltage
range. The LP339 is de-
signed to interface with
the CMOS logic family. It
includes sensing at ground
potential, a pin-out iden-
tical to the LM339, and
high-output sink-current
capability. It is protected
against reverse voltages
and will operate from sin-
gle- or split-power sup-
plies. Characteristics in-
clude a low-input biasing
current and a low-input
offset voltage. The cost
per unit is 72 cents in
quantities of 100 or more.
Contact National Semi-
conductor Corp., 2900
Semiconductor Dr., M/S

1925, Santa Clara, CA
95051, (408) 721-5856.
Circle 666 on inquiry card.

RMS-to-DC Converter

The AD637 is a root-
mean-square to DC con-
verter that offers accuracy
and wide bandwidth with
0.02 percent nonlinearity.
Operating from DC to
8MHz with a maximum of
+ 0.5mV fixed offset and
+ 0.2 percent of reading
total unadjusted error, a
single external capacitor
sets low-comer frequency
and determines low-fre-
quency accuracy, ripple
level, response speed, and
settling time. The AD637
computes the true root-
mean-square value of
complex AC waveforms
and operates with + 3-V
to ± 1 8-V supplies. An on-
chip buffer amplifier pro-
vides typical 5-V/^s slew
rate, maximum ± 2mV in-
put offset, and maximum
5nA bias current. It is pack-
aged in a 14-pin ceramic
package. In quantities of
1 00 or more, the AD63 7 is
priced from $13. Contact
Analog Devices, Rt. 1,
POB 280, Norwood, MA
02062.
Circle 664 on inquiry card.

Write Controller/
Head Driver

A tunnel-erase floppy-
disk controller with erase
delays, the MC347 1 P from
Motorola is a write con-
troller/head driver inte-
grated circuit designed to
provide the entire interface
between the write-data
and head-control signals

588 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

BLOCK DIAGRAM

R/W1 R/W2

1'

Is

*$&

4'*.

Toggle
Select

Erase
Delays

12

WD o -

11

Select
Enable

J 7

16

8

Current
Select

18

20

!<

l?

I4

»t

-E0

■ IT

•CT0
■CT1

Vref Iref WG

and the heads (write and
erase) for either tunnel- or
straddle-erase floppy-disk
systems. It combines all
write functions formerly
accomplished using sep-
arate building blocks or
discrete transistors.

Means for selecting a
range of write currents
and for head selection dur-
ing both read and write
operations are provided.

Provision is also made for
adjusting degauss period,
inner-outer track compen-
sation, and the delay from
write gate to erase turn-on
and turn-off. In quantities
of 1 00 or more, the
MC347IP is S4.25. Con-
tact Motorola Semicon-
ductor Products Inc., POB
20912, Phoenix, AZ
85036, (602) 897-3826.
Circle 665 on inquiry card.

FOREIGN

80 Columns

An intelligent terminal
emulator with an 80-
column printout capabil-
ity, ITE+ has been devel-
oped by Transam for in-
stallation into the main
body of the HX-20 or the
expansion unit. The ma-
chine-code program in
ROM allows the HX-20 to
be linked to a larger com-
puter and to act as a de-
vice for entering and re-
ceiving data. This commu-
nications link may be
made via cable or tele-
phone line.

ITE+ can be used for

for the HX-20

editing text to be trans-
mitted or for reviewing
messages already re-
ceived. Text, once
prepared, can be saved to
a file, transmitted, or
printed. The editor uses
the HX-20's virtual screen
and scrolls left and right for
a full line length. For view-
ing and correcting data,
you can display a single
line of text by using 4 lines
of 20 columns for a total of
80 lines of displayed text.
ITE+ has the ability to
print a full 80-column line.
It does this by printing the

text out sideways in blocks
of 18 lines.

Optionally, Transam of-
fers a parallel interface and
a battery-powered acous-
tic coupler for the HX-20.
The interface lets you con-
nect the HX-20 to an ex-
ternal parallel printer and
print data when the serial
port is taken up with an
acoustic coupler or cable.

ITE+ costs $50, plus
VAT (value-added tax). The
parallel interface is $85, plus
VAT. Contact Transam
Microsystems Ltd., 59/61
Theobald's Rd., London
WC1X 8SF, England; tel:
01-405 5240/21 13; Telex:
24224 (Ref. 1422).

Circle 675 on inquiry card.

Three New Cards

Three add-on cards
from Rade Systems Ltd.
plug into the company's
Z80-based single-board
computers. The first card,
featuring a 10-MHz 8086
processor card, has 1 28K
bytes of on-board mem-
ory, expandable to 1
megabyte, which can be
added to an optional 8087
coprocessor. The second
card is a 512 by 512
graphics card with a high-
speed plot rate to a max-
imum of 1.5 million pixels
per second, in either 8 col-
ors plus cursor or a 16-
gray scale. The third card,
soon to be available, is a
10-MHz 16032 processor
card with 128K bytes of

on-board expandable
memory in 256K-byte in-
crements. Both the 1 6082
memory-management
chip and the 16081 float-
ing-point processor are
available on-board as op-
tional devices. Contact
Rade Systems Ltd., 290a
High Rd., Willesden,
NW10 2EU England; tel:
01-451 4414/5/6.
Circle 674 on inquiry card.

Five Versions
of the Big Buffer

The Big Buffer hardware
spooler for parallel printers
increases system speed. Its
I/O ports are Centronics-

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

589

What's New?

r~-~»i-

%

compatible. Five versions
with memory capacities
ranging from 8K to 120K
bytes are available. The
spooler features a reset key
that clears the buffer con-
tents and a monitor mode
in which each character
sent from the computer is
printed in hexadecimal
and ASCII codes, making it
possible ro inspect all
codes that are sent from
the computer to the

printer. An optional 1 10-V
AC, 60-Hz power supply
costs $30. Prices range in
U.S. funds from $170 for
the 8K-byte version to
$363 for the 120K-byte
version. Dealer inquiries
are welcome. Contact
Mikrocomputertechnik,
Winchenbachstr. 3a, POB
201 605, D-5600 Wupper-
tal 2, West Germany; tel:
0202/510444.
Circle 673 on inquiry card.

Apples for All

Technical Aids & Sys-
tems for the Handicapped
|TASH) has developed a
Mod Keyboard System
that allows disabled per-

sons to operate an Apple II
Plus with standard soft-
ware. Words, phrases,
and standard characters
are displayed on the key-

board. Up to 14 displays
of time-saving words,
phrases, and commands
are displayed by the key-
board; additional displays,
words, and phrases can
be customized. Users can
create and edit text or mes-
sages up to 500 characters
long. Color and audio are
available together; black-
and-white disables audio
feedback. The Mod Key-
board System includes a
Commodore VIC-20, a
direct-scan cartridge, mon-
itor, ability switch, and
user manual. Although it
contains a VIC, the sys-
tem can be used with an
Apple II Plus and multiplex
circuit board and a con-
necting cable or compati-
ble printer. Pi ices vary
depending on features.
For details, contact TASH
Inc., do Sunnybrook
Medical Centre, 2075 Bay-
view Ave., Toronto, On-
tario M4N 3M5, Canada,
(416) 486-3569.
Circle 669 on inquiry card.

Magnum Portable

Features Pop-up

Display

The Dulmont Magnum
portable computer features
a pop-up, eight-line by 80-
character LCD. Standard
hardware includes the
16-bit Intel 80186 micro-
processor, 128K bytes of
ROM, two serial ports, one
parallel port, a real-time
clock, and a bus expansion
socket. The Magnum can
be equipped with up to
256K bytes of battery-
backed CMOS RAM and an
additional 128K bytes of
ROM. It has a full-size

QWERTY keyboard with
user-definable function
keys and a power-save cir-
cuit that shuts down the
central processor when it's
been idle. A word proces-
sor, a spreadsheet, a plan-
ner/diary, and BASIC-86
are supplied in ROM. The
operating system is MS-
DOS. Its approximate size is
1 2 by 1 1 by 2 inches (305
by 280 by 51 mm). It
weighs about 8 pounds
(3.5 kg).

The Dulmont Magnum
costs less than $2500
(Australian dollars). For full
information, contact Dul-
mont Electronic Systems,
POB 1 668, Hornsby North-
gate, New South Wales
2077, Australia; tel: \02)
477 6444; Telex: AA74936
DULMON.
Circle 672 on inquiry card.

Bubble Memories

Have Password

Security

Ecosea Technologies
has unveiled a line of mag-
netic bubble-memory cards
for the IBM PC and PC XT.
Two versions are available:
the PDIB128, which pro-
vides 128K bytes of non-
volatile storage, and the
PDIB384, a 384K-byte
card. Either card resides in
a single IBM slot, using only
two I/O lines. Hardware-
based password security is
a key feature of these non-
volatile memories. Once
you create a password,
you can use it to lock up
the computer, the bubble
memory, or both. No
method of bypassing or il-
legally reading the pass-
word is said to exist.

590 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

What's New?

Ecosea's bubble mem-
ories operate as a standard
DOS 2.0-type device. They
are compatible with all
DOS software and do not
require any patching of
system files. DMA and in-
terrupts are supported but
not required. Comprehen-
sive diagnostic software,
utilities, and installation
and operator manuals are

provided. The PDIB128
and the PDIB384 cost
S995 and $1995 [Cana-
dian funds], respectively.
For more information, con-
tact Ecosea Technologies
Corp., Unit 1 3, 465 King St.
E, Toronto, Ontario M5A
1L5, Canada, (416) 366-
1000.
Circle 671 on inquiry card.

GAMES

Trio of Games

Fun & Games Software
markets a three-pack of
games for Televideo 803
and Teletote computer
users. The three high-reso-
lution graphics games are
Nature's Revenge, Cannon
Shoot, and Lunar Module.
Each features animated dis-
plays depicting the actions

for Televideos

and movements for all
phases of the game.

The 803 Games-Pak
costs S46.50. It can be
ordered directly from Fun &
Games Software, 3333
East Redlands, Fresno, CA
93726, (209) 226-1918.
Circle 683 on inquiry card.

Here's One for

Bombs Over Manhattan
is a strategic defense game
from Tamalpais Software.
The object of the game is
to defend your city from
enemy attack and accrue
enough points to allow
peace talks to begin. When
peace is achieved, you can
reconstruct damaged por-

Woody Allen

tions of your city and move
on to the next level of play.
Points are scored by inter-
cepting bombs and mis-
siles. If you lose, your city is
consumed to the refrain of
"We'll Meet Again." Your
city can be one of nine ma-
jor American cities or one
of your own design. Three

levels of difficulty are of-
fered: Neophyte, Moder-
ate, and Idiot Savant. A
unique feature of Bombs
Over Manhattan is its
Someone's Coming mode,
which is a tiny word pro-
cessor that can be accessed
during any point in the
game. The word processor
lets you write, edit, print,
and store documents up to
66 lines long.

Bombs Over Manhattan
runs on 64K-byte IBM Per-
sonal Computers with PC-
DOS, a color graphics card,
and a double-sided double-
density 320K-byte floppy-
disk drive. A joystick is op-
tional. The suggested retail
price is $29.95. Dealer in-
quiries are welcome. For
more information, contact
Tamalpais Software, POB
02338, Portland, OR
97202, (503) 232-002 1 .
Circle 689 on inquiry card.

Devilish Game for
TI-99/4A

Diablo, designed for the
TI-99/4A computer, con-
sists of two tracks on each
of 1 1 6 movable panels for
a total of 232 tracks.
Players must arrange the
twisted tracks to keep a
moving ball on a contin-
uous path. Each section of
track is removed from play
after it has been negoti-
ated. Diablo becomes in-
creasingly difficult as less
and less track is available to
support the advancing ball.
This graphics game can be
operated by joysticks or
through keyboard control.
Sound effects add to the
fun.

Diablo requires 16K

bytes of memory and the
Extended BASIC module.
It's available on cassette or
floppy disk for $ 1 9.95 from
the Extended Software
Co., 11987 Cedarcreek
Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45240,
(513) 825-6645.
Circle 688 on inquiry card.

Three-dimensional
Game for Apple

Cubit, an arcade-type
game for Apple computers,
uses a three-dimensional
pyramid made up of cubes
as its playing field. The ob-
ject is to change the color
of all the cubes by hopping
from one to another. You
must avoid bouncing balls,
snakes, and gremlins. Your
safety rests upon a set of
transport disks and a magic
star.

Cubit features four levels
of difficulty, each of which
is divided into four rounds
of play. It's playable with
either a joystick or key-
board on 48K-byte Apples
running DOS 3.3. The sug-
gested retail price is $39.95.
Dealer and distributor in-
quiries are invited. Cubit is
produced by Micromax
Systems Inc., 6868 Nancy
Ridge Dr., San Diego, CA
92121, (619) 457-3131.
Circle 682 on inquiry card.

Computerized

Coloring Book Has 25

Hl-Res Pictures

Versa Computing's Col-
or Me is a computerized
coloring book suitable for
children ages 3 to 12. It's
composed of 25 high-reso-
lution pictures of varying
degrees of difficulty. Each

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 591

What's New?

Color Me picture is sprin-
kled with objects and an-
imals familiar to children
and has a large, uppercase
title to help reinforce word
and subject recognition.
Children use paddles or
joysticks to choose colors
from the more than 30
available and to select pro-
gram options. Color Me
pictures can be used over
and over again.

Color Me comes on flop-
py disk for Apple II Plus/lie
and IBM Personal Comput-
ers and on cassette for the
Radio Shack TRS-80 Color
Computer. The retail price
is S 29.95. Contact Versa
Computing Inc., Suite 104,
3541 Old Conejo Rd„
Newbury Park, CA 91320,
(805)498-1956. .
Circle 684 on inquiry card.

MISCELLANEOUS

Adjustable Arm Lifts

Monitors Up and

Away

Lintek's Monitor Mover
is an adjustable mechanical
arm that holds most com-
puter displays up and off
your desk. This system is
made of a heavy-duty desk
clamp, a 360-degree swivel
base, a 15-inch vertically
adjustable arm, and a CRT
mounting tray. The tray
swivels and can be tilted
up to 15 degrees. Each
Monitor Mover features

steel construction and an
off-white urethane finish.

Optional extended moni-
tor cables and two addi-
tional styles of desk mounts
are available. The list price
is SI 29.95. For details, con-
tact Lintek inc., POB 8056,
Grand Rapids, Ml 49508.
Circle 694 on inquiry card.

Coin Vending

Control System for

Libraries

XCP's fully automated
vending control systems
allow library patrons to use
microcomputers without
staff supervision to control
time and usage. Two ver-
sions of the Microvend
Computer Usage Control
System are available: the
3300T and the 5500T. The
Model 3300T accepts quar-
ters and tokens; it does not
make change. The 5500T
accepts nickels, dimes, and
quarters. It also accumu-
lates coins until the correct
amount is deposited and
makes change.

Both systems can be ad-
justed to provide 1 to 25
minutes of equipment
usage. A cumulative time
capability allows unlimited
equipment time; each time
the correct vend price is de-
posited, another time unit
is added. An override key
allows free computer
usage by staff members.
Other features include an
accounting meter, a shut-
off warning signal, lighted
coin-deposit indicator, and
multivending capabilities.
Installation is simple; plug
the computer's CRT power
cord into the Microvend
control box, close and lock
the door, and plug the

computer and Microvend
into a wall socket.

An annual rental with-
out a purchase option or a
36-month lease term with
a 20 percent purchase op-

tion are available. For full
contractual information,
contact XCP Inc., 8 West
Main St., Dryden, NY
13053, (607) 844-9143.
Circle 695 on inquiry card.

State Analyzer Can

The Micro Tracer state
analyzer offers a IK-byte
trace buffer, pattern-recog-
nition logic, and formatted
serial output in a box
weighing less than 5
pounds. Plug-in personality
modules interpret proces-
sor codes, and an 18-inch
ribbon cable with a 40-pin
clip to place over the micro-
processor sets up the Micro
Tracer. Data is captured by
either a 1 6-bit trap address
entered by the front-panel
keyboard or by a separate
trigger probe that connects
to any logic-level signal in
the system. Data can be
displayed or printed in se-
quential processor cycles or
disassembled and pre-
sented in assembly mne-
monics. Micro Tracer can
display data one cycle at a
time on a front panel LED.

Micro Tracer's base price
is S995. Personality mod-
ules are available for Z80/
Z80A and 8085/8085A
microprocessors; other

Be Carried into Field

modules are under devel-
opment. Additional mod-
ules cost $200 each. For
full details, contact Spy-
wood Systems, POB 794,
Holliston, MA 01 746.
Circle 691 on inquiry card.

Vfslcalc Wall Chart
Guides Users

A two-color, 18- by
25-inch wall chart graph-
ically depicting all Visicalc
commands is available
from Crest Software. Key-
stroke combinations with
explanations, editing key
combinations, operators,
and math functions are all
covered. A Superscripsit
wall chart for the Radio
Shack TRS-80 Model III is
also available.

Each wall chart costs $4,
plus $2 shipping. They can
be ordered from Crest Soft-
ware, 2132 Crestview Dr.,
Durango, CO 8 i 301, (303)
247-9518.
Circle 690 on inquiry card.

Where Do New Products Items Come From?
The information printed in the new products pages of BYTE is
obtained from "new product" or "press release" copy sent by
the promoters of new products. If in our judgment the infor-
mation might be of interest to the personal computing experi-
menters and homebrewers who read BYTE, we print it in some
form. \X/e openly solicit releases and photos from manufac-
turers and suppliers to this marketplace. The information is
printed more or less as a first-in first-out queue, sut ject to oc-
casional priority modifications. While we would not knowing-
ly print untrue or inaccurate data, or data from unreliable com-
panies, our capacity to evaluate the products and companies
appearing in the "What's New?" feature is necessarily limited.
We therefore cannot be responsible for product quality or
company performance.

592 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

cw/\nnai

Q.

q:

O
U

The Channel Connecting You And Computers

APPLE-SOFTWARE

LIST SALE

APPLIED SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY

Versa Form 389.00 259.00

Qtose 189.00 139.00

Templates PO/INV @ 49.95 39.00

ML/CRJ/EJ @ 39.95 33.00

ASHTONTATE™

dBase II 700.00 395.00

QPI Systems'"

GL/AP/AR/INV/PR @ 395.00 295.00

BR0DERB0ND~

A.E. 34.95 25.00

CENTRAL POINT SOFTWARE

Copy II Plus 39.95 32.00

CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE™

Home Accountant 74.95 49.00

FCM 99.95 08.00

00W JONES SOFTWARE'"

Market Analyzer1" 350.00 279.00

FOX 6 GELLER'"

Quick Code 295.00 195.00

dGraph 295.00 195.00

dOnl 99.00 09.00

Quick Screen 149.00 119.00

INFOCOM'"

Deadline 49.95 34.00

Zork l/ll/lll @ 39.95 27.00

MICROPRO"

Inlostar 495.00 299.00

MICROSOFT*

Multiplan'" 275.00 179.00

MUSE*

Supertext Home Office 99.00 73.00

PERFECT SOFTWARE'"

Perfect Writer 495.00 219.00

SIERRA ON-LINE SYSTEMS

Frogger 34.95 25.00

SILICON VALLEY SYSTEMS

Word Handler 59.95 39.00

List Handler 49.95 35.00

SOFTWARE PUBLISHING CORP.™

PFS: File 125.00 85.00

SPINNAKER'"

Educational Software UP TO 30% OFF

VISICORP'"
Visicalc
Other Products

250.00 169.00
UP TO 34% OFF

APPLE-HARDWARE

LIST

SALE

CENTRAL POINT SOFTWARE

Alaska Card™

129.95

99.00

EPS

Keyboard w/Basic Pram

399.95

319.00

Basic Prom (?

32.95

29.00

GIBSON LABS

LPS Hi/Res Light Pen

349.00

279.00

HAYES MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCTS*

Miromodem II W/SC I

329.00

249.00

Smanmodem1200RS232

899.00

499.00

KENSINGTON8

System Fan Saver

89.95

69.00

KRAFT

Paddles

49.95

39.00

Joystick

64.95

49.00

KOALA™

Graphic Tablet

124.95

95.00

MICRO SCI

A2 Drive w/o controller

345.00

249.00

A2 Drive w/controller

445.00

325.00

MICROSOFT®

Soltcard

345.00

219.00

Premium Softcard

495.00

36900

NOVATION

212 Apple Cat II

725.00

599.00

Smartcat 103/212

595.00

469.00

Maxifone

1150.00

999.00

ORANGE MICRO™

Buffered Grappler + 16K

239.00

185.00

PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS

Microbulfer II + 16K

259.00

199.00

SSM

Modem Card w/source

325.00

259.00

Transmodem 1200

695.00

499.00

VIDEX

Uliraterm

379.00

279.00

Other Products

UP TO 27% OFF

IBM PC SOFTWARE

APPLIED SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY

VersaForm

389.00

259.00

Qbase

189.00

139.00

Templates PO/INV @

49.95

39.00

ML/CRJ/EJ @

39.95

33.00

ASHTON-TATE™

dBase

700.00

395.00

CENTRAL POINT SOFTWARE

Copy II PC
CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE™

Home Accountant

FCM
DIGITAL RESEARCH™

CP/M 86

Concurrenl CP/M 86
DOW JONES SOFTWARE™

Market Analyzer
FOX Fj GELLER

Quick Code

dGraph

dUtil
INFOCOM ™

Deadline

Zotk l/ll/lll @
MICROSOFT"

Multiplan

Muln- Tool word w/Mouse
PEACHTREE SOFTWARE™

Peachtext 5000
PERFECT SOFTWARE™

Perfect Writer
SIERRA ON-LINE SYSTEMS

Frogger
SOFTWARE PUBLISHING CORP.

PFS: File
SPINNAKER™

Educational Softwares
VISOR?"

Visicalc

Othei Products

IBM HARDWARE

HAYES MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCTS®

Smartmodem 1200B

Smartmodem 1200|RS232|
KRAFT

Paddles

Joystick
KOALA™

Graphic Tablet
MICROSOFT®

Mouse
NOVATION

Smartcat 103/212 |RS232|

Maxifone (RS232|

LIST

SALE

39.95

32.00

150.00

89.00

124.95

79.00

60.00

45.00

350.00

235.00

350.00

279.00

295.00

195.00

295.00

195.00

99.00

69.00

49.95

34.00

39.95

27.00

275.00

179.00

495.00

349.00

395.00

239.00

495.00

219.00

34.95

25.D0

140.00

9500

UP TO 30% OFF

250.00

169.00

UP TO 34% OFF

UCTS®

599.00

479.00

699.00

499.00

49.95

39.00

69.95

49.00

150.00

115.00

195.00

149.00

596.00

469.00

150.00

999. DO

QUADRAM
Quadlink
Quadboard 64K
Quadboard II 64K

MONITORS

AMDEK

Color 1 + LO/RES

Video 300

12" HI/RES Gieen

Video 300A 12" Amber
NEC

12" HI/RES Green

12" LO/RES Color

12" HI/RES Color (PC)

LIST SALE

680.00 579.00

395.00 285.00

395.00 285.00

399.00

179.00
199.00

285.00

399.00
699.00

PRINTERS-
OKI DATA

ML-82A

ML-83A

ML-84P

ML-84S

ML-92P

ML-93P

ML-92S

ML-93S

DISKETTES

DYSAN®

5V4" SS/SD

6W' SS/DD (plastic box)

5'A" DS/DD (plastic box]
IBM®

5V«" SS/DD

5'A" DS/DD
MAXELL®

5'A" SS/DD

5V<" OS/DD
TDK®

5'A" SS/DD

5'A" OS/DD

ACCESSORIES-

AMARAY

5'A" Disk Bank (white)
5'A" Disk Bank (smoke)
5'A" Disk Bank System

INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS
5'A" Flip-N-File

549.00

899.00
1395.00
1495.00

699.00
1249.00

799.00
1349.00

7.50

7.50

29.95

29.95

339.00

157.00

159.00

159.00
379.00
599.00

419.00
719.00
1049.00
1129.00
529.00
939.00
599.00
1019.00

32.00
37.00
43.00

2990
3990

28.90
41.90

39.00
47.00

6.50

6.50
25.00

25.00

National: 1-800-821-4381

Calif: 1-800-421-3245 • Local: (805) 683-3006 / 683-1 779 S

5788 Dawson St., Goleta, CA 93117 HOURS: ORDER DESK 8-6:30 Mon-Sat. Store Mon.-Fri. 9-6:30 - Sat. 9-5

TERMS: Add 3% lor shipping h handling. $3.00 minium. UPS next day delivery for iiems in siock. Add 6% for CA Sales Tax. Add 2% (O total lor Visa & Master Charge. All sales linal for software, accessories & diskettes

Defective Hardware, Monitors, Printers returns must be within 10 working days of purchase accompanied by RMA# for exchange only Apple is the Registered Trademark of Apple Computer Inc. IBM is the Registered Tiademark of International

Business Machines Corp.

Circle 489 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

593

BYTE's Bits

Two New Office Products from IBM

Practically every major computer com-
pany has tried either to imitate the IBM
Personal Computer or to design periph-
erals for it. And now even IBM has
jumped on the bandwagon. By IBM, we
mean of course not the small Entry Sys-
tems Group in Boca Raton, Florida,
which produces the popular PC, but the
large Information Systems Group, which
produces those large systems that are
almost synonymous with the IBM logo.
Recently, amid a flurry of rumors about
the new Peanut or PC Junior, the Infor-
mation Systems Division announced two
significant products based on the PC: a
desktop System/370 and a new version of
the IBM 3270 display terminal that fea-
tures concurrent processing and windows.

The IBM Personal Computer XT/370

As its name implies, this new enhance-
ment of the IBM PC XT is designed to
emulate the legendary IBM System/370
mainframe. According to IBM, it should
run many of the same programs that run
on the large machines in the System/370
VM/CMS (Virtual Machine/Conversa-
tional Monitor System) family. In addi-
tion, the machine has the capability to
function as an IBM 3277 display terminal
connected to a host computer. And it is
still functional as a PC.

The cost for the complete XT/370 system
with 10 megabytes of disk storage is
$8995. (A 20-megabyte system will cost
$11,690.) An upgrade kit for an XT will
cost $3790. You will also need, however,
a new software package (called VM/PC),
which costs $1000, and a monitor and
adapter board for each of these hardware
configurations. Thus, for about $10,700,
you can have the equivalent of a small
System 370 on your desk.

The XT/370 (which, following a tradi-
tion of hard-to-remember 4-digit names,
is officially called the 5160 Model 588)
consists of a standard XT plus three ad-
ditional boards. One is a new terminal-
emulation board that emulates the IBM
3277 display terminal. The second con-
tains 512K bytes of memory. The third
contains a set of coprocessor chips.

by Rich Malloy

The three processors on this board were
all produced by IBM in association with
Intel and Motorola. The first is based on
the Intel 8087 and handles floating-point
arithmetic. The remaining two are based
on the Motorola MC 68000. One of these
can directly execute 72 of the instructions
used by the 370. The second can emulate
45 of the 370's other instructions. A few
remaining instructions that refer
specifically to the 370 have not been
emulated.

The VM/PC (Virtual Machine/Personal
Computer) software runs under PC-DOS
version 2.0 and enables the XT to func-
tion as a single-user virtual machine with
480K bytes of real memory and up to 4
megabytes of virtual memory.

As for performance, the XT/370 is hin-
dered by the relatively slow speed (com-
pared to mainframes) of its disk drive. But
within this constraint, IBM claims that for
commercial applications the XT/370 is
about half as fast as an entry-level IBM
4300 system. For scientific applications,
the XT/370 should be twice as fast, thanks
to the 8087 chip.

The XT/370 should run several popular
compilers without any alterations. These
include OS/VS COBOL, VS FORTRAN,
and Pascal/VS. These programs, along
with customer application programs, can
be downloaded from a host 370 system.
Special reduced monthly charges will be
assessed by IBM for 370 software used on
the XT/370.

This new system should be available
during the second quarter of 1984. Don't
look for it in your local Computerland
store, however. IBM plans to offer it only
to large customers through its National
Accounts Division, at least for the time
being. One wonders if, a few months
down the road, Amdahl and Prime will
offer similar products at reduced prices.

The IBM 3270 Personal Computer

This second product from the Informa-
tion Systems Group combines a standard
IBM PC with an IBM 3270 display ter-
minal. The noteworthy feature of this sys-
tem is its capability to access up to four

programs running concurrently on one or
more host computers, along with a PC-
DOS application program and two "note-
book" data areas. Also, a new high-res-
olution monitor is available for this sys-
tem.

The 3270-PC has 256K bytes of memory,
with options available for up to 640K
bytes. A 122-key keyboard includes all of
the keys of both a regular PC and a 3270
terminal.

The color monitor (called the 5272—
another four-digit name) features eight
colors with a very high resolution, equal
to that of the PC's monochrome monitor.
An antiglare screen is also provided, but
bit-mapped graphics are not. It seems a
safe bet that a graphics adapter board will
soon be available for this monitor and that
it will be the new color monitor for the
PC. The price for this new display is $995.

The 3270-PC Control Program, which
runs under PC-DOS 2.0, allows you to ac-
cess up to seven programs: four on a host
computer through the 3270 link, two
"notebook" data-storage areas, and a PC-
DOS application program. You can define
a number of windows through which you
can monitor any of these programs. You
can define the size, color, and position of
any of these windows.

The Notebook data-storage areas let you
transfer data from host programs to PC-
DOS programs and vice versa The size
limit for each area is about 4000 bytes, and
you can easily edit the contents of the
notebooks. For example, you can run
Lotus's 1-2-3, select part of the results for
transfer to a Notebook area, add some
descriptive labels, and then transfer the
Notebook contents to a host computer's
electronic-mail program.

The cost for a 3270-PC system with
256K bytes of RAM is $4290. Additional
requirements include the 3270-PC Con-
trol Program ($300) and a monitor plus
adapter board. It should be available from
IBM's National Accounts Division in the
first quarter of 1984. ■

Rich Malloy is BYTE's product-review editor.

594 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

ORDER WITH CONFIDENCE

from one of the nation's largest
consumer electronic parts distributors!

DISK DRIVE

PRICE EVER!

Slim disk drive for
Apple II® com-
puter. New
in a box. .
J?

#

A sturdy

cabinet and 3' cable are included.

Runs on Apple controller or our

optional controller.

ORDER NO. mm»#» m—

83-APL-DD-1 s229.95

CONTROLLER
CARD

For two disk drives.
ORDEfl NO
83-APL-CTL-1

*4a95

IBM COMPATIBLE
JOYSTICK ^

Heavy duty

all metal.

Featuring

ultra linear

pots, self

centering, dual fine center

adjustments. The finest industrial/

commercial joystick available.

ORDER NO. ... __

83-IB-XY-23 S44.95

APPLE COMPATIBLE

JOYSTICK With double
trigger feature. (Four total)
light weight, linear pots.

ORDER NO.

83-APL-XY-9

APPLE' COMPATIBLE
JOYSTICK

plug. ^

W.

Cord

terminated

with 16 Pin plug

Our most popular joystick

ORDER NO. .._ __

83-APL-XY-10 S 16.50

REPLACEMENT
KEYBOARD FOR
APPLE II

Heavy duty — error free switches.

Switchable N key rollover, last

key repeat. Upper/lower case

capability. Alpha lock, cable

included.

ORDER NO. .__ __

83-APL-KB-7 s79.95

SELF CENTERING
APPLE
COMPATIBLE
JOYSTICK

ILE ^^

With double

triggerfeature.

(Four total)

light weight, linear pots.

ORDER NO. .__ __

83-APL-XY-18 S29.95

ARCADE

TYPE

JOYSTICK

*>

For Atari, Commodore, Texas
Instruments, Sears. Heavy duty
leaf switches.
ORDER NO. -._ __

83-ATR-JY-1 s15.00

RF MODULATORS

Use your TV as a monitor. Con-
verts video signals into RF. Hooks
up to Apple with no modifications.
FCC listed. Two versions: With
sound and without sound.
ORDER NO. withou, s,cnn

83-VM42 sound s 16.00

ORDER NO. witn so1 n_

83-CRM-320 sound s21.95

5A APPLE IP

COMPATIBLE

REPLACEMENT

POWER

SUPPLY

®%^

Full 2A more than the original
power supply. Heavy duty. 110/
220V operation. Mounts directly
into Apple II case. AC cord
included.

ORDER NO.

83-APL-PS-51

$7a95

5A POWER SUPPLY
With BUILT-IN
COOLING FAN

Newly patented Apple II® com-
patible 5A power supply. Fits
completely into Apple II case.
Eliminates the need for external
cooling fan.

ORDER NO. .__ __

83 APL-PS-53 S89.95

DATA SPEC™ SUPER CABLES

Fully shielded — shock proof — low loss.

25 Conductor RS232 cable assembly

with 100% alluminex shield. Special

underhood molding

and shielding.

The best

cables

currently

made!

ORDER NO.

83-MRS232MM-3

83-MRS232MM-5

83-MRS232MM-10

83-MRS232MM-25

83-MRS232MF-3

83-MRS232MF-5

83-MRS232MF-10

83-MRS232MF-25

PLUG/JACK

Male/Male

Male/Male

Male/Male

Male/ Male

Male/Female

Male/Female

Male/Female

Male/Female

PRICE

$24.95
27.95
29.95
37.95
25.95
28.95
30.95
38.95

SOLDER TYPE 25 PIN
"D" (RS232)
CONNECTOR

ORDER NO. 1-11 12-49

83-DB25M Solder Type $2.25 $2.00

Male
83-DB25F Solder Type 250 2.60

Female
83-DH25H Hood with 130 150

hardware

RF CABLES

RCA to RCA. Connects
computer to monitor, etc.

ORDER NO.
83-BRR-3
83-BRR-6
83-BRR-12

3'

6'

12'

PRICE

$1.95
2.50
4.50

Please Note: ORA Electronics products are intended to be sold to persons with a working knowledge of electronics and computing. If you do not have such
knowledge, please visit your local dealer for products and information.

MINIMUM ORDER $25.00. VISA, MASTER CARD accepted. No surcharges. Exact UPS charges will be added. PREPAID: Certified checks
and money orders, send exact amount. No shipping, handling or insurance charges in the continental USA. PERSONAL CHECKS: add 5% shipping charges,
allow 3 weeks to clear. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: US currency and 20% extra for shipping. CA Residents, add sales tax. OEM DEALERS: send for special prices
on your company letterhead.
NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR OPEN ACCOUNTS— NO EXCEPTIONS.

ELECTRONICS

A DIVISION Ot AUIANCE RESJAROH COSPOMAIION

"OUR SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE"

To order, call TOLL FREE: (800)423-5336

Calif, TOLL FREE: (800)382-3663

Local: (213)701-5848

Telex 181011 ORA PARTS NTGE

18215 PARTHENIA STREET, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91325

BYTE December 1983

595

Book Reviews

Electronically
Speaking:
Computer Speech
Generation

John P. Cater
Howard W. Sams & Co.
Indianapolis, IN: 1982
232 pages
sbftcover, S 14.95

Reviewed by
Joseph A. Scott

Most technical books tend
to be written for people who
already know the fundamen-
tals of a particular field but
who need to broaden their
expertise. Other technical
books offer a cursory treat-
ment designed for people
who want a general idea of a
certain field without the
details. Both alternatives are
unsatisfactory for the novice
who is genuinely interested
in developing a particular
skill or expertise but who has
no previous knowledge. Elec-
tronically Speaking addresses
itself to just such a reader.

Cater's book is written for
"the neophyte to speech syn-
thesis." It assumes the reader
has some knowledge of com-
puter operation, a modicum
about computer architecture
and electronic circuits, and
an awareness of the ways a
computer can interface with
the world. Both the neophyte
and a more advanced stu-
dent of speech synthesis now
have a ready source of infor-
mation about a variety of
products currently available
to generate computer speech
as well as a baker's dozen of
circuits for speech-synthesis
applications that you can
build yourself.

The heart of the book lies
in the sixth chapter. Here
Cater details three major
technologies in artificial-
speech production: wave-
form encoding for speech re-
construction, the analog-
formant-frequency synthesis

method, and LPC and PAR-
COR synthesizers. Visual
and verbal analogies and ex-
amples, block diagrams,
flowcharts, and skeleton
schematics enhance the neo-
phyte's understanding.
Chapter 6 also compares the
technologies in terms of
quality and understandabil-
ity of the produced speech,
cost, and memory require-
ments.

Chapter 7 reviews 16
speech-synthesis peripherals
for small computers ranging
from Centigram Corpora-
tion's Cindy (formerly called
LISA) to Texas Instruments'
Speak & Spell. Each periph-
eral is categorized by the type
of speech-generating technol-
ogy it uses, and the author
compares each in terms of its
theory of operation, vocabu-
lary, storage capability, and
cost. The chapter includes
photographs of a few synthe-
sizers, some of the internal
hardware, block diagrams of
the operating systems, and
relatively complete or skele-
tonized schematics. It in-
cludes three summary charts
for each type of synthesizer
and compares the models in
such areas as size, speech
capability, computer type
used, and cost. Although the
author points out that some
incomplete descriptions are
due to the proprietary nature
of some of this information,
that is to be expected in a
new field. This caveat does
not detract from the chapter's
value. This chapter is infor-
mative for people who are
either contemplating adding
speech to a computer or who
want to be able to intelli-
gently discuss the state of the
art in speech synthesis.

While chapters 6 and 7 de-
lineate the state of the art in
voice synthesis in terms of
how it is achieved and what
is available, two other chap-
ters discuss the historical
development of speech-mak-

ing devices and the potential
of synthesizers today. The
chapter on history provides a
brief but fascinating discus-
sion of early speech-making
devices that range from von
Kempelon and Wheatstone's
talking bellows to the Voder
synthesizer displayed in 1939
at the World's Fair.

The last chapter offers a
potpourri of uses for voice
synthesizers for home and
commercial applications.
Here those of a more prac-
tical bent may be somewhat
disappointed because the
uses suggested are currently
met adequately and inexpen-
sively by bells and alarms.

But several intriguing ques-
tions must be answered
before artificial speech can
become a part of mainstream
technology. Cater addresses
both the equipment end and
the less tangible aspects of
communication humans take
for granted. This additional
dimension is found in a cou-
ple of chapters that discuss
human speech. One chapter
focuses on the physical, phys-
iological, and neurological
mechanisms of speech pro-
duction. This chapter is a
useful reference point to
understanding the standards
against which artificial
speech will be compared. It
also provides an awareness
of the complexity of human
communication that must
somehow be replicated by a
mechanical or electronic sys-
tem.

A chapter on linguistics
provides a look at the char-
acteristics of what sounds are
produced, classifies the
sounds produced in speech
and used in English, and
describes how they are pro-
duced. Three tables in this
chapter provide handy infor-
mation for the new user of
speech synthesizers. The
tables list the most frequently
used speech sounds and
spoken words in the English

language and the relative
power of a selection of
speech sounds. This informs
the novice who is developing
a vocabulary of the words he
will need and the sounds he
has to perfect to make syn-
thesized speech more under-
standable.

Finally, mention must be
made of a chapter that raises
questions and makes sugges-
tions about a topic rarely
mentioned in technical
books. Cater devotes a
chapter to what he calls the
"etiquette of computer
speech." He raises the issue
of how humans will react in
a world where not only peo-
ple but things talk and where
the things are not adept at
responding to social signals
that say "shut up." Cater
makes us aware of subtler
aspects of human communi-
cation that presently lack
parallels in talking com-
puters. For instance, humans
usually tell each other non-
verbally when they are about
to speak and then await rec-
ognition. To do otherwise
begs being labeled something
ranging from aggressive to
boorish. Unless our talking
computers are programmed
to similar good manners, we
may find ourselves in the
midst of an armada of ag-
gressive, boorish appliances.

I wish the author had in-
cluded a discussion of some
of the considerations and
problems associated with in-
stalling a speech synthesizer
on a personal computer,
Murphy's Law being what it
is. And I could have used
some guidance on how to
improve a synthesizer's dic-
tion, elocution, or what have
you. Perhaps these concerns
are so vast that they could fill
another volume. ■

Joseph A. Scott (6 Mione Way,
Chico, CA 95926) is a psychology
professor at California State Univer-
sity in Chico.

596 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 407 on inquiry card.

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Circle 79 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

597

Book Reviews

Mastering CP/M

Alan R. Miller

Sybex Inc., Berkeley, CA:

1983

400 pages, S25

Reviewed by
Bruce R. Evans

At last, someone has writ-
ten a book for those of us
who hanker to get into the
guts of CP/M but lack the
perseverance to get through
Digital Research's obtuse
manuals. Oh, there are lots
of introductory books that
start with "This is a disk.
There's a hole in the middle
of it. Insert it into the drive
as in the photo." However, a
lot of us passed that phase
years ago. We want to modify
our disk-operating systems to
run modems, printers, and
even hard disks. Until now,
nobody seemed interested in
us.

Sybex Inc. and Alan R.
Miller have come to our res-
cue. Miller starts with an
overview of the layout and
location of the CP/M operat-
ing system. He quickly goes
through the standard acro-
nyms-CCP, TPA, IOBYTE,
and the like. Miller deftly
puts these rather vague con-
cepts into perspective. He
then does the same with the
built-in commands and tran-
sient programs such as Pip,
Stat, and Mac, Digital Re-
search's macro assembler.
Emphasis is solely on assem-
bly-language utilities. Before
you know it, Miller has
covered what most other
authors spend a book on and
you are doing things like
writing an assembly-lan-
guage program to let you re-
start a crashed program.

Chapter 2 is worth the
price of the entire book. Al-
though I am proficient in
assembly-language program-
ming, I have never quite been

able to understand how to
modify the low-level BIOS
(basic input/output system).
I doubt I am alone. And un-
less you already know how
to do it, the CP/M manuals
are hopeless at explaining
this procedure. Most other
CP/M books don't even at-
tempt this. Alan Miller
makes it easy; his method is
ingenious. As he explains the
procedure, he has you go
through all the steps without
actually changing your BIOS.
Then you save the unmodi-
fied BIOS, load it back onto
the system tracks, and try to
run it. If you followed all the
steps, it will go just fine.
However, if it doesn't, you
know that you messed up
the steps rather than the new
driver routines you wrote.

In chapter 3 the author ac-
tually has you add new driv-
ers to your BIOS. Again,
Miller does the unusual. He
assumes that anyone using
this book will be proficient
enough to write his own
bare-bones routines. There-
fore, Miller concentrates on
adding bells and whistles to
our programs. Instead of a
simple printer driver, he
shows you how to write
printer-control and status-
checking subroutines, how to
use the IOBYTE to stream
your output, and, finally, how
to create a memory cache to
direct your output to a disk
file. If you're getting the idea
by now that the software in
this book is as valuable as the
instruction, you're right.

Next, Miller starts to build
a macro library. These sub-
routines are used repeatedly
in assembly-language pro-
gramming—for 16-bit arith-
metic, screen control, disk
manipulation, and more.
Rather than rewrite these
with every program, the pro-
grammer saves them on disk
and then instructs his assem-
bler to add them during as-

sembly of his program. Un-
fortunately, ASM, the assem-
bler that comes with CP/M,
doesn't have the capability to
use these. You must be using
CP/M's Mac assembler to
benefit from this section. If
you're not, you'll quickly see
why you need it to do any
serious programming.

The next four chapters lead
you through the intricacies of
the high-level BDOS (basic
disk-operating system) for
both disk and nondisk uses.
Again, you learn by writing
yet more utility programs
and macros. If you follow this
through, you'll have written
24 macros and 15 complete
programs. You'll have a disk
full of utility programs and
the knowledge to use them.

Now that you are proficient
with BDOS, Miller leads you
through the disk directory.
You read not just the ab-
breviated form that the DIR
command gives, you get all
the nuts and bolts of the sys-
tem including memory maps
and disk parameters. Al-
though CP/M is a fairly effi-
cient system, it can be im-
proved upon. By this point in
the book, you're prepared to
try to do just that.

Miller finishes with the
mandatory listing of 8080 and

Z80 mnemonics. Again, he
can't stand to be conven-
tional. His listings are fol-
lowed by details of both in-
struction sets. Although it's
definitely not a course in as-
sembly-language program-
ming for beginners, this book
is also an excellent reference
manual for advanced pro-
grammers. Again, Miller
shows his knowledge of 8080
and Z80 programming by
pointing out the similarities
and the traps present.

Alan Miller has written a
book aimed at the experi-
enced programmer that will
explain the ins and outs of
the CP/M disk-operating
system. By leading the reader
by the hand without in-
sulting him, by building up
a macro library that will ex-
tend the raw CP/M system,
and by demonstrating an in-
timate knowledge of the sub-
tleties of CP/M, Miller's book
is a worthy replacement for
Digital Research's documen-
tation. If I sound enthusiastic
about this book, it's because
I ami

Bruce R. Evans (26 Marwin Rd.,
Pickering, Ontario L1V 2N7,
Canada) is a family physician and an
experienced CP/M user.

BYTE's Bugs

Line Change

Dean Brown of Alderwood
Manor, Washington, spotted
a bug in James Folts's IBM PC
BASIC cross-reference utility
(August, pages 378-384). The
program will work properly
with programs having 5-digit
line numbers if line 6050 is
changed from

6050
LABEL$(LABEL.NUMBER)

= SPACE$(5)

to

6050

LABEL$(LABEL.NUMBER)

= SPACE$(6)

Brown explains, "The
change is necessary because
the STR$(val) function used
in line 6060 prefixes positive
numbers with a blank, thus
requiring the field length to
be one greater than the
length of the line number to
be displayed."*

598 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Circle 350 on inquiry card.

^ * *

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ITEM #806 FOR 2 EA. 8" THINLINE FLOPPY (TANDON TM848-1 & 848-2 OR EQUIV.), OR ONE HARD DISK, POWER SUPPLY: +8V/8A, ±16V/3A,
i 5V/5A OVP. 5V/1A & 24V/5A. SIZE: 12"(W) X 19.5"(D) X 9.8"(H).

ITEM #516 FOR 2 EA. 5%" FLOPPY (TANDON TM-100 - 1. 2. 3. 4 OR EQUIV). OR ONE 5'A" FLOPPY & ONE 5'A" WINCHESTER HARD DISK
(TANDON TM 600-2, 3 OR EQUIV.), POWER SUPPLY: +8V/8A, ± 16V/3A OVP, +5V/6A OVP, + 12V/6A, 8A PEAK. SIZE: 13.75"(W) X 19.5"(D) X 7(H).

SHIPPING FOR EA. PWR SUPPLY: $5.50 IN CALIF.
$8.00 IN OTHER STATES;$18.00 IN CANADA
FOR EA. TRANSFORMER: $5.00 IN ALL STATES;
$12.00 IN CANADA. CALIF. RESIDENTS ADD
6.5% SALES TAX.

DEALER

INQUIRIES

INVITED

No. 806 & .

No. 516 Mainframes

ii — ■ ■ ■■

VISA

MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. BOX 4296
TORRANCE, CA 90510

TELEX: 182558

SUNNY INTERNATIONAL

(TRANSFORMERS MANUFACTURER)
(213) 328-2425 MON-SAT 9-6

SHIPPING ADDRESS:
22129V2 S. VERMONT AVE
TORRANCE, CA 90502

Circle 406 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

599

ATTENTION BIG BOARD USERS!
WHY USE OUTDATED TECHNOLOGY?

INSIGHT ENTERPRISES

IS NOW DELIVERING A NEW

STATE-OF-THE-ART CP/M Z80-A

SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER

On board video • 128K of Dynamic RAM and 4K ol STATIC (video mem-
ory) • DMA • SASI {hard disk Inlerloce) • Floppy disk controller (4 drives
cjy combinoilon o( 5-1/4 ' or 8") • 4 serial pons • Full Cenlronlcs
printer port • Expansion bus • Wide line and thin line graphics •
Extended track Duller • Printer under • Fully interrupt driven • Parallel
or Seriol keyboard • Compact Size • (8x14 inches)

$750.00 ,

APPLE WARE, INC

^- The Apple Usees Group
Software Library Bonanza
At truly affordable prices!
Far the firsi time rjri|uy your
Apple to rts fullest capacity,
using specially packed dtBks
with over 60 outstanding

firograms each.
not available from any other source)
Each packed disk includes an extensive variety of
interesting, useful and entertaining programs
indispensable to all computerists' Each mixed category
packed disk includes

BUSINESS * EDUCATIONAL • DATA BASE • GAMES
UTILITIES • SCIENCE • MUSIC • GRAPHICS • FINANCE
Library Disks I, II and III are mixed categories Dedicated
disks are

• GAMES • UTILITIES • GRAPHICS - INTEGER *
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. Each packed disk is
available for only S59.95 each.

WHY PAY MORE?

Order direct from this ad and Save up to 51 50. Buy

Library Disks I, II and III and net a special bonus disk
FREE over 260 programs for £1 79 95 + S3
shipping For the best value, receive all 9 disks featuring
over 600 of our besL programs foe only 65 C each
for a package price of only S3B9 Postage Paid!
NEW Business • Professional • Eiecutive Package [enabling
you to bring your business to its nighest level rjl efficiency] also
avaJabie drde Readers Servca Card for our complete catalog

For Orders Only Call now
TOLL FREE: 1800-327 8664
Florida: 1-305-987 8665

|

vrSA

Compatible if

:l Franklm Ace [For 3 3 DOS]

NEW GENERATION OF

INTELLIGENT PAL/EPROM

PROGRAMMERS- FOP THE

NEW BREED OF ENGINEERS

35 EPROM5 • ROM EMULATION

DIGITAL. MEDIA

3178 GIBRALTAR AVENUE

COSTA MESA, CA 92626

C71«*J 751-1373

Circle 229 on inquiry card.

Circle 29 on inquiry card.

Circle 146 on inquiry card.

EXCLUSIVE - FREE

MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY

• Prices are the lowest available.

Model Qtv. 1 Qtv. 2-10

FDD10O-8 S225 $200

FDD200-8 $275 $250

'Additional quantity discounts available

With the FDD-200-8. you buy twice the storage

capacity at a nominal cost increase.

Shugart-
Compatible Drives

FDD100-8
FDD20O-8

#No other company
can otter the manufac-
turer's 90-day warranty at no
extra charge.

• All warranty work is accomplished at the manu-
facturer's factory authorized service center.

• We ship from existing inventory.

Visa/Mastercharge

MftS^fVl Disk Drive Services

689 L South Slate College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92631
(714) 526-1992/Call Collect: Mail Order: Add $7
Shipping, California residents add 6% sales tax

Circle 207 on inquiry card.

Now, Interconnect Any
Two RS232 Devices

WIRING
ADAPTER

$24.95

Connects any two
RS-232 devices in any
pattern. Temporary or permanent. Comes
complete with ten plug-in jumper wires.
Wiring Adapter just $24.95
plus $1 .75 for postage and
handling, (IL res. add5%
sales tax); we accept MC,
Visa, ana Purchase Orders
from rated firms. Get FREE
illustrated catalog of
interface and monitoring
equipment.

Oil electronics

P.O. Box 475 B • Mendota, IL 61342

Phong: (815) 539-5827

Circle 40 on inquiry card.

FLOPPY

DISK-DRIVE

REPAIR

Command Services
exclusively repairs
Tandon and Shugart

disk drives We are

affordable, fast and experienced.

For service, call toll free:

1-800-782-5500

In New York State call:

1-800-323-1800

Command Services Corporation

7143 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool. New York 13088
315-457-1432

Circle 78 on inquiry card.

SOURCESOFTWARE

Professional-quality, CP/M compatible
Z80 assembler accepts standard Zilog
mnemonics as well as 19 pseudo-ops,
prints a sorted symbol table, and can
read from multiple input tiles. Modular
structure allows easy revision as a
cross-assembler

Complete souce listing with detailed
tutorial on theory of assemblers is con-
tained in a 200-page manual. Profes-
sional techniques fully explained include
Radix 40. binary search, expression
processing by recursive descent, etc.
Source code also available on a standard
format 8" SSSD disk.

Manual with listing S25
Manual and 8" disk S50

(foreign orders add S3 surface. S10 airmail)

PO Box 208

Red Bank. N.J 07701
(201) 530-7245
NJ residents please add 6% stiles tax

COMPUTER

PD/Eili all features of Promqueen less mimic mode.
Software enhanced to include EPR0M QC utilities, RS-
232 communication, printouts. 28 pin ZIF socket.
Reads, edits runs and
programs all 5 volt
2500 and 2700 series
EPR0MS plus variety
of EEPR0MS all with-
out personality mod-
ules. Commodore C-
64 host computer.
Inquire about the
mimic mode capabil-
ity in our VIC Promqueen. $299.00
ROM Packs Industrial quality circuit cards are
socketed, solder masked, fully bypassed, and in-
clude a ground plane for low noise operation. In-
cludes 1 EPR0M. 8K& 16K models for VIC-20 and
C-64. Specify 2732 or 2764 EPR0M type. Molded
plastic case. $39.00

GLOUCESTER COMPUTER

1 Blackburn Center. Gloucester. MA 01930 617-283-7719

ANALOG** DIGITAL
DIGITAL** ANALOG

CONVERSION MODULES

SOFTWARE
CAIN CONTROL

from 1 to 1024

mi board test 5-100 :' if i'i kh;
mixable high and low inputs gain

hicjh ivfurrwy programmable gain instrumentation
amplifier rustom hrvvri tesi S 100 2 to 15 khz
conversion time rnunl id' hirjh rmd touj inputs gran
From 1 in IQO'i 12-bit sample and hold amplifier
8 channel differential 16 . ■ mo. -i analog to digital

For additional details about the AD-100-4 and other
fine California Data Corporation 100°c individually
tested, high reliability products, circle the reader
service card number below or for faster response
write or call us.

CALIFORNIA DATA
CORPORATION

3475 Old Conejo Road, Suite C-10
Newbury Park, CA 91320

(805) 498-3651

Circle 257 on inquiry card.

Circle 201 on inquiry card.

Circle 60 on inquiry card.

■VII

IBM PC-COMPLETE SYSTEM
VERY SPECIAL PRICE

64K, Two 320KB Disk Drives, Floppy Disk Controller
Video Card and High Res Monitor $2590

SPECIAL OF THE MONTH!!

IBM PC W/64K, 360KB Disk Drive, FDC, Color Graphics
Card, Monitor, 10MB Hard Disk W/ Controller, Cable,
Software, Matrix printer, Cable, all for only . . $3990

TAVA PC

Desk Top IBM PC® Compatible Computer, 128K Ram,
Two 320KB Disk Drives, Floppy Disk Controller, Color
Graphics Card, One parallel Port, Two serial Ports,
High Res Monitor. System runs DOS 1.1; 2.0, and
CP/M86® $1995

DISK DRIVES FOR IBM PC

Tandon 100-2

Slimline DS/DD 320KB

$240
$250

MONITORS
AMDEK

300A

300G

310A

TV

NEC

IB 1201M . .

JC 1212M .

$190.00
$160.00
$190.00

/, .

II .
III.

$160.00
$330.00

JC 1203 .
JB 1260

$340.00

$690.00

$390.00

$1190.00

$750.00
$130.00

PRINCETON GRAPHICS SYSTEMS

Hi-Res Color

PRINTERS
C-ITOH

GX-100

8510

F-10

$490

$240 1550 $690

$460 F-10 $1290

$1690

DAISYWRITER 2000 CALL

OKIDATA

82A $440 84A

83A $690 92A

93A

$975
$575
$970

EPSON

FX-80 CALL

SILVER REED

Printer

FX-100

CALL

$690

BROTHER

HR-1

DX-15

$750
$490

SMITH CORONA

TP-1

$520

STAR MICRONICS

Gemini 10

Gemini 15

CALL
CALL

NEC SPINWRITER

7710-1 .

7715-1

7720-1.

7725-1.

7730-1.

$2050
$2200
$2500
$2500
$2050

3510

3515

3530 ....
3550 ....
PC8023A

$1450
$1450
$1650
$1950
$550

HARD DISKS FOR APPLE AND IBM

CALL

MEMORY BOARDS

MONTE CARLO CALL

TECMAR CALL

AST

10 Plus. Five function Card $199

Combo Plus. 4 function card. Fully pop. 256K . $450
Mega Plus. Fully pop. 512K $990

AST SIXPAK 384K CALL

QUADRAM

Quad Card. Fully pop. 256K $450

QUADLINK CALL

BIG BLUE $470

HERCULES Graphics Card $490

MAYNARD SANDSTAR SERIES

FDC 5 1/4 & 8" $220

Multifunction Card $90

Memory Card $180

DISK DRIVE FOR APPLE

Slimline, or Standard $190

APPLE He

Computer System, Controller, Two Disk Drives,
Monitor $1590

■wiiwim

■VI

631 E. First St., Tustin, CA 92680

PRICES AND AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT- NOTICE

(714)838-9100

APPLE is a trademark of Apple Computers. Inc.

IBM is a trademark of IBM Corp.

CP/M86 is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc.

Circle 294 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

601

MEMOREX

FLEXIBLE DISCS

WE WILL NOT BE UNDER-
SOLD!! Call Free (800)235-4137

for prices and information. Dealer
inquiries invited and CO.D.'s
accepted.

PACIFIC
EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd.
San Luis Obispo. CA
93401. In Cal. call
(800)592-5935 or
(805)543-1037

wabash

Flexible Diskettes

6 Year Warranty- 1 00% Certified

DELIVERED PRICES

51A" $160

single side T | each

SINGLE DENSITY

5V4"

$189H

„T I each

Packed TO par Soil Pjc«

5V4"

DOUBLE SIDE
DOUBLE DEN5I1
48 TPI W/HUB RING

each

BULK
SSSD

™ I each

BULK
SSDD

MI

each

BULK
DSDD

100/ClBB

White Envelops
W/HUB RING

Free shipping in continental USA Call for

quantity discounts We accept money orders,

certified checks. VISA and MasterCard Personal

checks accepted, but lake two weeks to clear

bank ND add 4%

Software Services™

1 326 -25th St. S„ Suite D
Fargo, ND 58103
1-800-634-2248

APPLE
INSTRUMENT

INTERFACE
(DATALOGGER)

• Converts your Apple into a Chart
Recorder

• Analog input: 0-10mV, 0-100mV 0-IV
0.024% precision

• Chromatography, spectrophotometry
pH, temperature etc. measurements

• Data storage, plotting, integration

• Menu driven

• All hardware and software included
for introductory price of $375.00

SCIENTIFIC COMPUTER
INTERFACING

23585 Timothy Ct

Elkhart, IN 46514

(219) 262-1691

Circle 334 on inquiry card.

Circle 398 on Inquiry card.

Circle 501 on inquiry card.

More SpecDroids™
from SPECTRON INSTRUMENT

n

ROBOT IV KIT S250

A traditional style robot arm. 3 axis with grip and wiist rota-
tion. It compliments our ROBOT I by introducing motion in three
dimensions with parts gripping and handling. (It doesn't have
the drawing and vision ability of our ROBOT I.) Great for stack-
ing sugar cubes, or (or transferring to your coffee. With soft-
ware for learn mode using VIC 20/64 and joystick. Includes
2 and 4 finger grippers. Optional vision and on module.

VISION SYSTEMS See- Del. and Nov. ad in BYTE.

VISION 1 PANORAMIC SCAN VISION KIT $100

Many othar vision avalama. *ak tor catalog.

SPECTRON INSTRUMENT

1342 W Cedar Ave. Denver, CO 80223
Telephone (303) 744-7083

I ■ J% af± m M ■ ■ ■ _

Si a i ih i kii_

iiuuamu

FIRST TIME BETWEEN TWO COVERS

No matter what type ot computer you own, this
book will get you on-line TODAY!
Complete information on computer bulletin board
systems including:

•What they are (and what's happening).
•Kinds of information available.
• Public domain systems.
•Free software (and how to get yours).
•Blitz course in telecomputing.
•Buyer's guide to modems.
Over 400 verified listings. Periodically Updated.
On-line Logbook. Electronic Mail Address Book.
$14.95 P.P. Make checks payable to:
Computer Food Press
Div. of Coltrane & Beach

H 31754 Foxfieid Dr.

Westlake Village, CA 91361
Voice Orders- (213) 836-7716 Modem Orders— (213) 559-9033

HOOK IN NOW!!

SPECIAL OFFICE
When ordering, refer to this AD and
receive your FIRST UPDATE FREE!

of looking for reliable
Source of Supply?

1MMWM

from Looking???

about
QUALITY??

DISKETTES +
RIBBONS +

ACCESSORIES

Call Bob Kelly Now. . .
Kelly Computer Supplies

1811 Carl St. • St Paul, MN 551 1 3

Toll Free ... 800 - 447 - 2929

MN Res. Call Collect. . .612/644-9030

MAXELL - DISKETTES

Circle 400 on inquiry card.

Circle 477 on inquiry card.

Circle 250 on inquiry card.

HOF

Books • Software • Ha

f>

rdwar

Add-Ons • for your ATARI 600X

/

800 XL. Commodore-64

VIC-20. Sinclair. Timex, Apple ll.Osborne+OSI

BOOKS for ATARI 400/500 XL /BOO XL

SOFTWARE IN MACHINE LANGUAGE

1200XL

FOR ATAHI

ATARI BASIC - Learning try

ATMONA-1

Machine language monitor A MUST

ol the

mac nine language

ATARI computers ire deicn

Order-No. 7072 ICI E19.9S

tlrewmgi. special sounds, key

ATMONA-2

explore the ATARI RAM/ROM area

Order-No. 164

17.96

adXss^opco'de or opV^nd'^AIw'ye'y

Small Buimcii Soltware (or

CPU may he changed. Includes Atmona'1 .

aulobook disk. No cartridge.

□ DOS. no

FORTH language required
OrdarNo. 731?

Macro-Assembler for ATARI B00MBK

One of the mot! powerful editor

assemblers on the market. Versatile editor

Order No. 7320

E49.00

BUSIPACK-1 Iwrnten In FOF

TH|. Com

mvoicmg 10. 1* onlyl
Order No. 7313

S9B.O0

Order -No. 7999 cartridge £129 OQ
ATMS APPLICATION DISK

Order No 7311 130.00

Order No. 7303

MMG

Invoicing program in BASIC

Same as ATMAS but without macro
capability I32K anO 48K RAM!

Muling Lni in BASIC

PRINTER INTERFACES

Construction articles and software No

Ordar.Na.7I13 IDI

(7.4.95

Order-No. 7291 B19.9S

Duler and Dutribuior inaul

at are Innted. lATAftt •>* ta« ina.m»i ot atahi inc I

53 Redrort Una
Pomona, CA917B6

tSatSmnt* "iMnWtHM

| SEE OUR CATALOG FOR 8 DISKETTES

SAVE UP TO 50%
5<A DISKETTES

SPECIFY SOFT, 10 or 16 SECTORS

• wabash

S/10

S/50

S/100

SSDD[M13A4I IX)
DSDD1M14A411X)
DSDD-96TPI(M16A411X)

• oontrni data

21.00

2900
4300

10250
142.50
209 00

19900
279.00
41000

SSDD ICDC1 242-00)
DSDD(CDC1244.QO)

• 3M scotch

2200
3050

106 00
147.00

210 00
29000

SSDD(3M 744D-0I
DSDD [3M 745-0)
DSDD-96TPI (3M-747-0}

22 OO
31.00
45,00

109.00
150.00
212,00

213 00
295.00
39900

SSDD(MD525-01)
DSDD(MD550-01I
DSDD-96TPIIMD557-01I

25,20
36.50
45.80

124.00
180.00
226.00

245 00
355.00
44800

SSDD(MAX-MD-1M|
DSDD |MAX-toD2-DM|
DSDD-96TPI (MD2-DDM,

• dvsan

26 50
3800
4300

130 00
185 00
210 00

25500
360.00
41000

SSDDIDYS 104- ID)
DSDDlDYS 104-2D)
DSDD-96TPI IDVS 204-2DI

48 50

172.00 340 00
20O0O 395.00
240 00 475 00

CALL TOLL FREE 800-824-7888

(VISA. M C, CO 0 ORDERS ONLY OPE RATOR 906
Aa-MJi,. sr I. .. J 7 DAYS A WEEK

r-teativity Unlimited

< CHECKS. M 0 . VISA. W C
- ADD S2 00 SHIP/ORDER

> CA RESIDENTS ADD
B»* SALES TAX

i SURCHARGE ON ORDERS
SHIPPED OUTSIDE USA

1741 SARATOGA AVE
SAN JOSE, CA 95129
(408) 252-4210
M-F, 8:00 AM TO 5;0O PM
FOR NEXT DAY RESPONSE

I DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED

Attn: IBM P.C. USERS!

PeachText
5000

PeathText 5000 has arrived. A complete
personal productivity system for word pro-
cessing, financial modeling and simple
data-management. All at one price.

PeachText 5000 is available for a select list
of microcomputers: The IBM Personal
Computer™, the COMPAQ Portable Com-
puter™, the Texas Instruments PC™, the
Zenith Z-100™, and the Eagle P.C™. Free 90
support from Peachtree S/W.

only $275.00

•EDUWARE S/W available
•Terms: Visa, M.C. or C.O.D.
•Dealer Inquiries Invited
COMPU-MEDIA
SOFTWARE, INC.
159 Main St. S.I.N.Y. 10307

CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-248-2418
Mi in NY Slate 212-967-1700

Cvl

AUTHORIZED
DISTRIBUTOR

Circle 167 on inquiry card.

Circle 126 on Inquiry card.

Circle 459 on inquiry card.

"THE ORIGINAL BIG BOARD"

OEM - INDUSTRIAL - BUSINESS - SCIENTIFIC

<T SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER KIT!

Z-80 CPU! 64K RAM!

(DO NOT CONFUSE WITH ANY OF OUR FLATTERING IMITATORS!)

*,

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a.

THE BIG BOARD PROJECT: With thousands sold worldwide and over two years of field experience, the Big
Board may just be one ol the most reliable single board computers available today. This is the same design that
was licensed by Xerox Corp. as the basis for their 820 computer.

The Big Board gives you the right mix of most needed computing features all on one board. The Big Board was
designed from scratch to run the latest version of CP/M*. Just imagine all the off-the-shelf software that can be
run on the Big Board without any modifications needed.

*279

00 (64K KIT
TT BASIC I/O)

FULLY SOCKETED!

FEATURES: (Remember, all this on one board!)

SIZE: 8V>x 13V. IN.
SAME AS AN 8 IN. DRIVE.
REQUIRES: +5V @ 3 AMPS
+ - 12V @ .5 AMPS.

64K RAM

Uses Industry standard 4116 RAM's. All 64K is available to Ihe user, our VIDEO
and EPROM sections do not make holes in system RAM. Also, very special care
was taken in the RAM array PC layout to eliminate potential noise and glitches.

Z-80 CPU

Running at 2.5 MHZ. Handles all 4116 RAM refresh and supports Mode 2
INTERUPTS. Fully buffered and runs 8080 software.

24 x 80 CHARACTER VIDEO

With a crisp, flicker-free display that looks extremely sharp even on small
monitors. Hardware scroll and full cursor control. Composite video or split video
and sync. Character set Is supplied on a 2716 style ROM, making customized
fonts easy. Sync pulses can be any desired length or polarity. Video may be
Inverted or true. 5x7 Matrix - Upper & Lower Case.

SERIAL I/O (OPTIONAL)

Full 2 channels using the Z80 SIO and the SMC 8116 Baud Rate Generator. FULL
RS232! For synchronous or asynchronous communication. In synchronous
mode, the clocks can be transmitted or received by a modem. Both channels can
be set up (or either data-communication or data-terminals. Supports mode 2 Int.
Price tor all parts and connectors: $39.95

FLOPPY DISC CONTROLLER

Uses WD1771 controller chip with a TTL Data Separator for enhanced reliability.
IBM 3740 compatible. Supports up to four 8 inch disc drives. Directly compatible
with standard Shugart drives such as the SA800 or SA801. Drives can be
conligured for remote AC otf-on. Runs CP/M* 2.2.

BASIC I/O

Consists of separate parallel port (Z80 PIO) for use with an ASCII encoded
keyboard for Input. Output would be on the 80 x 24 Video Display.

TWO PORT PARALLEL I/O (OPTIONAL)

Uses Z-80 PIO. Full 16 bits, fully buffered, bi-directional. Uses selectable hand
shake polarity. Set of all parts and connectors for parallel I/O: $19.95

BLANK PC BOARD — $99.95
The blank Big Board PC Board comes complete with full
documentation (including schematics), the character ROM,
the PFM 3.3 MONITOR ROM, and a diskette with the source
of our BIOS, BOOT, and PFM 3.3 MONITOR.

REAL TIME CLOCK (OPTIONAL)

Uses Z-80 CTC. Can be configured as a Counter on Real Time Clock. Set of all
parts: $9.95

CP/M* 2.2 FOR BIG BOARD

The popular CP/M" D.O.S. to run on Big Board is available for $139.00.

DOUBLE DENSITY ADAPTER BOARD — $149.95 (A&T)

Requires no cuts or MODS to an existing Big Board. Gives up to 670K storage on
a single sided 8 in. diskette. With software to patch your CP/M* 2.2.

PFM 3.3 2K SYSTEM MONITOR

The real power of the Big Board lies in its PFM 3.3 on board monitor. PFM commands include: Dump Memory, Boot CP/M*, Copy, Examine, Fill Memory, Test Memory, Go To,
Read and Write I/O Ports, Disc Read (Drive, Track, Sector), and Search PFM occupies one of the four 2716 EPROM locations provided. Z-80 is a Trademark of Zllog.

Digital Research Computers

(OF TEXAS)
P.O. BOX 461565 • GARLAND, TEXAS 75046 • (214)271-3538

TERMS: Shipments will be made approximately 3 to 6 weeks after we
receive your order. VISA, MC, cash accepted. We will accept COD'S (for the
Big Board only) with a $75 deposit. Balance UPS COD. Add $4.00 shipping.

USA AND CANADA ONLY

■TRADEMARK OF DIGITAL RESEARCH. NOT ASSOCIATED WITH DIGITAL RESEARCH OF CALIFORNIA, THE ORIGINATORS OF CPM SOFTWARE

"1 TO 4 PIECE DOMESTIC USA PRICE.

BYTE December 1983 603

FOR YOUR APPLE,
RADIO SHACK,
IBM PC,
OSBORNE ETC.

MEMOREX
$2.10 Ea./100
$2.85 Ea./100

DISKETTES-5V. IN.

3M
SSDD $2.10Ea./50

DSDD $2.85 Ea./50

HARD DISC SUBSYSTEMS

5MB 10MB 15MB

APPLE $1,250. $1,500. $1,700.

IBM $1,300. $1,550. $1,750.

PRINTERS

FACIT 4510 P AND S $450. Ea.

PROWRITER 8510 P $395. Ea.

PROWRITER 1550 P $695. Ea.

TRANSTAR 315 $515. Ea.

We carry Daisy Wheel Printers, Floppy Disc Drives.
Monitors. Terminals, Expansion Boards, Software,
Ribbons, Printwheels, Etc.

ittct-Clicm i

Met-Chem International Corporation '

2911 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, Conn. 06518

Phone: (203) 248-3212 or 1-800-638-2436

GARDEN OF EDEN

COMPUTERS

16485 Magnolia

Westminster, CA 92683

(714) 841-4994

HAYES 1200 BD

SMTMODEM 469.95

MICROMODEM lie (NEW).269.95

OKIDATA 92 439.95

GEMINI 10X 279.95

SOURCESUBSCRIPTION...49.95

ADV. VISICALC //e 239.95

PFS: FILE, WRITE, RPT.,

GRAPH EACH 79.95

BUFFERED GRAPPLER+...1 69.95

RANA ELITE I 239.95

RANA ELITE II 379.95

RANA ELITE III 479.95

CALL, WRITE, OR STOP IN FOR YOUR

FREE 42 PAGE PRICE LIST

F.O. B. WESTMINSTER, ADD 2% P.O./PLASTIC

TeleCOMM "

-A Complete Versatile, User-friendly &
Telecommunicating

ELECTRONIC MAIL

• Mulli-.'Singlo

user Compu

* Password Pr

tected Tran

• Broadcasting

and Forwarc

• Totally Menu

■ Versatile Rrfti

• Save and De

■ Assembler L

nguage

Listed Price:

8495

Tele Video* , C/Vftf® , MP/M . TurboDOS based Computers.
TeleCOMM provides you with the most efficient and cost-effective
means of communicating between you and your branch office,
coworkers, friends or family via a local area network or nationwide
telephone link.

• E-CQM Access
ons ■ Unlimited Users

• Send Letters/Messages Programs

• Full Screen Editing

• Date: Month/Day/Yeei

• Attractive Videci Attributes (TeieVi.li'.v

Special Introductory Price: $250

Tele WORD"— WORD PROCESSOR

• CPIM Based & Modem Interlaced • Prompt for Incoming Electronic Mail

• Built-in Operating System Commands • Multi-tasking [Concurrent Printing)
■ Password Protected Transactions ■ Fully Menu-driven Functions

• Page/Document Format • Horizontal and Vertical Scroll

• Document Assembly and Merge • Calculator Mode

• Unlimited Undo Commands • Mailing List & Label/Envelop Printing

• Screen Editing • Block Move and Delete
Special Introductory Price: 895

TuH>oI)OS™-Free Consulting & Demo. Customized Drivers.
Multiuser: S495

TelellOST —Allows your terminali'computer to communicate with
other computers'E-CQM via telephone links. Price: B9S

TeklJST™- Mailing Lisl Program. Prints Labels. Price: 875
International Computers & Telecommunications, Inc.
932 Hungerford Drive, 1 6-B, Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 251-0062

Circle 279 on inquiry card.

Circle 197 on inquiry card.

Circle 230 on inquiry card.

4164 ram

64K X 1 200 NS

SET 8/$35.00
SET 9/$39.00

100 $3.95 Each

1,000 $3.85 Each

5,000 $3.75 Each

10,000 $3.50 Each

Digital Deli

2632 W. Baseline

Mesa, AZ 85202

Attn: RAM DEPT.

(602)831-5064

EXPRESS YOURSELF!

With beautiful silk-screened T-shirts & hats
— J- iust for COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS

SHIRTS are hi-quality, U.S. -made & hand screened
with your choice of: *C~y 'CT^ ""C- ^

«-r>AADHTCD rOt*p(J£v HIGH-TECH
COM(?yi£,R °^>®fG Human

JOCK Va B> ^>^>0

(S2 athletic grey) (S4 navy) (S5 orange)

HATS are high-quality, mesh-back sport caps
imprinted with your choice of:

PERSomf% COMPUTER -AUCTION
Computer*" JOCK POTENTIAL

|H1| (H2) |H3|

SPECIAL PRICE: $7.00 each shirt or hat! Orderafew

for you, family & friends Great gift!! Child size, too!!!

HIS'NHERS SPECIAL: Set of two burgundy shirts:
one says "HARDWARE", other says "SOFTWARE"
Only $12/pair! (state sizes)

TO ORDER: SHIRTS come in S.M.L.& XL, or L Child.

HATS come in Red or Blue. Send name, address, shirt
size/hat color and imprint for each item. Add $1/order
($4 outside US) for P+H and mail to:

ACTION POTENTIAL

Make checks (USS) Depi. BYl

payable to: p. o. Box 069

"ACTION POTENTIAL" daymen, DE 19703

Satisfaction guaranteed or money back.
Offer ends 1/31/84. Allow 3-7 weeks delivery

INFO PROBE

A Powerful Data Base

Program for Scientific

and Commercial Research

WITH GRAPHS AND STATISTICS
INTERACTIVE, NO PROGRAMMING

$AAR For IBM-pc' CPM- RTn' TSX' VAX

4f J with money back guarantee

s9. Full Featured Demo on Disc

Centre Computer Consultants

Box 739, State College, PA 16801
PHONE 814/237-4535

Circle 142 on inquiry card.

Circle 10 on inquiry card.

Circle 64 on inquiry card.

OTDK

The heart of your system.

Dealer Inquiries Invited

5/4 Soft Sector Box/10

M1D-S 1 slde/dbl dens $27.50

M2D-S 2 sides/dbl dens $39.50

M2D-X-S 2 side /quad 96 tpi $44.50

8"
Soft Sector

F1-S 1 side/sgl or dbl dens. . $58.30
F2D-S 2 side/dbl dens $44.50

Checks-viSA-MC-C.o.D./Add $2 snipping
Call or write for our complete list.

LYBEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS

27204 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores, Ml 48081
Phone:13131777-7780

SAVE 50% ON TDK DISKETTES

Circle 271 on inquiry card.

PROMPT DELIVERY! and

TRY TO BEAT THESE IC PRICES: :

DYNAMIC RAM

64K

200 ns

S 5.65

64K

150 ns

5.95

64K

120 ns

6.27

16K

200 ns
EPROM

1.56

27128

300 ns

$19.20

2764

250 ns

5.99

2732

450 ns

4.25

2716

450 ns

3.60

2532

450 ns

4.75

STATIC RAM

6264P-15

150 ns

$38.00

6116P-3

150 ns

5.62

6117P-3

150 ns

4.20

S MasterCard VISA or UPS CASH COD

2 Factory New, Prime Parts jjPco ■

2 MICROPROCESSORS UNLIMITED

£ 24,000 Soulh Peoria Ave /Q1 o\ ic-t /iqci
f BEGGS, OK 74421 (918)267-4961

Ppcea BuhjW! to cnange Pleas

expect n.gltet pnees on

ome cans One to wono w.de ■

SuDjOCl to OV.I.IJOIC 0U

ntmes Snipping S Insutance H

I A„ ... SS99tOtaets.ece.vGtl ■

oy 5 PM CST can Do Oeliyo.eO

1 rob py uie now mwntnc

The INTELLIGENT
GRAPHICS TERMINAL

All of this on a single S-100 board

• Full 512 color mapping pallette

• TTL/analog RGB color or 8 level grey

• 680x480 4 color and/or 340x480 16 color

• Transparencies, overlays, multiple pages

• 8086, EPROM, 128K RAM expandable
on-card

• Full editing terminal/graphics firmware

• Text throughput is greater than 2000 cps

• 10 windows, individually scrollable

• Programmable terminal formats to 113x40

• 64K x 64K virtual screen graphics with
clipping and scale

• Drawn/filled circle, pie, arc. polygon

• Complex fill patterns and line styles

Low introductory prices: Assembled and
tested $895. Partial kit $295.

Availible soon: Fully integrated expansion
card adds speech, sound effects, serial and
parallel ports, and time-of-day clock

Advanced Graphics Engineering

P.O. Box 3403, Reston, VA 22090

(703) 435-8110

Circle 296 on inquiry card.

Circle 14 on inquiry card.

J&ffo FORMULA INTERNATIONAL INC. «^->

^^ :^J| 12603 Crenshaw Blvd., Dept. B, Hawthorne, CA 90250 ^^^"W

"B?/,. w-^? For information (213) 973-1921 • Orders Onlv f outside Calif.) (800) 672-fi7Sfi

vv

v

pinecoin

TM

Pioneer of Low Cost
Apple* Compatible Computer

No Copyright Infringements!
Compare These Features with Our Competitors:

• Powerful Utility Program (100% Apple Compatible)

• 68-Key Upper & Lower Case Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

• 25 Pre-programmed Function Keys

• 2 Speed Auto Repeat Funtion

• 64K User Memory — expandable to 192K

• 5A Switching Power Supply (1 10/220VAC)

• All ICs Are Socketed for Easy Service

• Nation-wide Dealer Network for Convenient Technical Support

And best of all, the price Assembled and Tested is just

.<#?

Now

with New

Improved

Keyboard

164KRAM

00

499

TM

pinecom dp-64

Dual Processor (6502 and Z80A)

Detached Keyboard

64K RAM Expandable to 192K

25 Function Key Keyboard

Auto Repeat Keys w/Upper/lower Case

2 Slim Disk Drives (optional)

100% Apple II Compatible

40/80 Column Display (optional)

Runs Both Apple Soft and CP/M Software

Model DP-64 Fully Assembled

$

625

00

AP II COMPUTER A&T

Apple Look Alike

48K User Memory

Supports Upper & Lower Case

100% Apple II* Compatible

$

445

00

AP-II MOTHERBOARD

Apple II + * Compatible

48K Memory Space

8 Expansion Slots

Bare Board $69.95 ea.

Assembled & Tested . . . .$295.00 ea.

PRINTER by BMC

Parallel Interface (Centronics

Compatible) Standard
Microprocessor Electronics
80cps Bidirectional with Logic Seeking
96 Character ASCII
Adjustable Sprocket and Friction Feed

$26500

Model BX-80 .

MICRO II COMPUTER

100% Apple Compatible • No Copyright Problems!

Model I 48K RAM .

Model II 64K RAM

$47500
$49g00

Model III 64K RAM w/Dual CPU.. U*tU
(6502 for Applesoft & Z80A for CP/M)

All above models are standard with Numeric Keypad, Function Keys, Auto
Repeat Keys, Upper/lower Case Function, Fully Assembled and Tested.

PERIPHERALS

Autoterm 80-Col. w/Softswitch

80-Column Card

$99.95
99.95

80-Column for Apple lie*

. 49.95

ZBO CP/M Card (no software)

16K RAM Card

99.95
49.95

Parallel Printer Interface

. 85.00

Buffer for Printer Interface (16-64K)
Serial Printer Interface Card w/Adj. Baud
Disk Controller

85.00

.85.00

65.00

Disk Controller DOS 3.2/3.3 Auto Select.
EPROM Writer Card (2716/2732/2764) . .

.75.00
.75.00

*SEND*

ONE DOLLAR

FOR OUR

DETAILED

CATALOG

SEND ONE DOLLAR

Shipping & Ha

idling Charges

FOR OUR DETAIL CATALOG

Under $50.00

Over S50.00

Purchase

purchase

nside California

10%

5%

Outside Calif, (incl. Mexico & Canada)

15%

10%

25%

20%

Minimum Order $10.00/Calif. Residents
add 6.59b Sales Tax. Phone Orders Accepted
on VISA or NIC ONLY. NOC.O.D.'s, Prices sub-
ject to change without notice.

STORE HOURS

MON-FRI— 10-7

SAT— 10-6

Circle #193 for dealer inquiries. Circle #194 for all others.

'Apple and Apple II are the trademark of APPLE COMPUTERS, INC.

ZAM
CONSULTANTS

SILVER STATE LIQ.

NEW & USED CPUs APPLE 11-E WITH 80
COLUMN CARD 64-K MEM 1 DISK.

NEW $1,595

2nd DISK $300

GEMINI 10 PRINTER $355

ALL NEW EQUIPMENT

We carry many used CPUs & Peripherals.
Visa & Master Card OK. Allow 3 wk. for
personal check to clear.

CALL: (702) 294-0920
(7021 871-6565

Daisy Wheel Printer

• 12/14 CPS

• 10/12/15 Pitch

• Parallel Interface

$395

■DynaxDX-15 Daisy Wheel 13 cps . . .SCALL
• Silver Reed EXP 550 Daisy Wheel $595

- Brother HR-1 Daisy Wheel 16 cps $645

- Daisywriter 2000 W/48K $1095

>C. Itoh F-10 40 cps $1195

> Qume Sprint 1 1 Daisy Wheel 40 cps . . $1395

MICRO MART

8764 Complex Dr., San Diego. CA 92123
(619) 268-0169 M

PERIPHERALS FOR
APPLE AND IBM(PC)

ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL ITEMS
ALL PRODUCTS BUILT IN U.S.A.

APPLE/SHUGART DRIVE |5'/«"| SI 79

DISK CONTROLLER (DOS 3.2-3.3) 59 S 19
BO COLUMN CARD 139 29

(VIDEX EQUIVALENT)
80 COLUMN WITH 64K RAM 129 28

(FOR He ONLY)
GRAPHER PRINTER INTERFACE 179 29

WITH 16K TO 64K BUFFER

AND GRAPHICS
OUAD CARD (4 FUNCTIONS) 159 33

(PARALLEL SERIAL BSR, CLOCK)

(PRINTER GRAPHICS ROM) 29

Z80 SOFTCARD 99 29

(MICROSOFT EQUIVALENT)
IBM|PC| BARE MOTHER BOARD ITS

GEMINI 10X 289

SILVER REED 500 459

5'A" FLOPPY DRIVE ENCLOSURE 17

COLORADO COMPUTER PERIPHERALS
THE P.C.B. COMPANY

R.R. 6. B0X7-D GOLDEN. CO 80403

(303)278-7172

Circle 463 on inquiry card.

Circle 288 on inquiry card.

Circle 76 on inquiry card.

LOOK at these prices!

AMDEK Color I . . . $289; Video 300 Green . . $150

INTRACTIVE Pkaso Card . . . $135; IDS Prism . . $155

VIDEX Ultraterm . . $289; Videoterm w/swch . $230

GRAPPLER + . . . . $120, bufferboard (16K). . . $125

HAYES:

MICR0M0DEM II. . . $255, w/Term. Prog. . $290

SMARTMODEM 300 ... . $219; 1200 ... $489

SMARTMODEM 1200B w/Smartcom II . . . $455

EASTSIDE Wildcard $105

SATURN Titan Combo Card 64K $500

VISTA Floppy Drive 5H" w/Contr. Card $325

TYMAC Parallel Printer Card $ 88

RANA Elite I . . $280; II . . $444; Contr. Card . $100

We Carry Ribbons 4 Diskettes (u Super Prices!

Payment: Money Order, Cashier's Check, Bank Wire;
Personal Checks — Allow 2 weeks clearance, 'COD's:
Cash/Cerlilied Checks only. N.Y Res.: Add 8V!>% S.T

Add $5 shipping on all orders.
Please include phone number

Call or Write lor Additional Specials.

MICRO MVSTIQU6

73-20 183rd St., Flushing, N.Y 11366
(212)454-6190

BIG STEPPER

Stepping- Motor Driver Box

Control Motion With Any Computer

Robotics

HOOKUP AND GO!

Provides all required power

Drives 4 motors at up to 5 amps per winding

while sensing 8 limit switch inputs

PARALLEL -BIG STEPPER": S450

SERIAL "SMART STEPPER" (RS232): S850

STEPPING-MOTOR TIPS COOKBOOK. S8

Includes 3-D positioning program

Centre Computer Consultants (814) 237-4535

P.O. Box 739 Stale College. PA 16801

Circle 290 on inquiry card.

Circle 65 on inquiry card.

Circle 151 on inquiry card.

SUPER PRICE SAVER

Apple 2E System $1495.

IBM PC System 2595.

Oynax 449.

Gemini 10X 269.

Okidata 92/93 4497829.

NEC 8023 399.

NEC 3550 1895.

Amdex 300/31 0 1 35./1 67.

Pi 3 148.

Rana I 259.

Tandon TM 1 00-2 249.

Teac Slim SW lie 249.

Panasonic Slim 5'A IBM 249.

Anchor Mark XII 300-1200 289.

Hayes 1 200/1 200B 4797489.

Koala lie 79.

Wesper IPI/BPO 69./1 59.

Quadram 64K 269.

Software 30% OFF CALL

Computer Price Club

1 6783 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92647

714-841-6160

This thing is weird. ..This thing is weird. ..This thing is weird..

LIMIK

electronic bugs

Lim ' ik (Lim ' ik] n. 1. The generic term lor ;i harmless species of £

electronic bugs. 2. A unique litie ol educational ktls winch leach you 2-

fundamentals In Op Amp design 3. Interactive loyi; thai make great "pets" p.

lor your inquisitive children :

SA LIMIK — Sound Activated LIMIK responds to accousiical pressure =;

S22.95 waves, emitts a crickeMike sound upon activation(Kil| *"

PA LIMIK — Proximity Activated LIMIK responds to Ihe presence ol ~

S 24.9 5 ol human beings, animals, oi air/ oltiei statically charged m

bodies that are mnvni!) Sounds emitted are similar to — ■

atreetrogor aCicida Hasanelfcchverangeof 510 20 —

feel, depending on environmental factors sucrt as «

temperature and humidity |Kn) ji£

To order, call (BMJ 74O-B380 or send check or money order to L

MK Enterprises, 8911 Norwich Rtl., Richmond, Va. 23229. Please 3

include S2.25 for shipping and handling Va residents add 4% sales tax 5'

We also make a line of unusual smnity sensors (T.vilight. Infrared & —

Proximity] which can interlace lo your computer over 2 wires Ask about 5-

oui Hyer •»

••pi|3M s; Buiiti sjtji.-pti.aM S| Bujui SjlirpjlBM Sj 6UJH1 Sll|l

MEMOREX

SAVE 50%

ON DATA
RELIABLE DISCS

Dealer inquiries invited

C1/ 11 Specify soft

3/4 lOoM6Sector Box/10

3481 1 side/dbl dens $22.30

3491 2 sides/dbl dens $30.70

3504 1 side/quad 96 tpi $30.00

3501 2 sides/quad 96 tpi $39.30

8'

Specify Soft or 32 Sector

3062 1 side/sgl dens..
3090 1 side/dbl dens..
3102 2 sides/dbl dens..

$22.10
..$28.90
..$33.80

Checks-VISA-MC-C.O.D./Add $2 Shipping

Call or write for our discount catalog.

LYBEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS

27204 Harper Ave, St. Clair Shores, Ml 48081
Phone:13131777-7780

CERTIFIED 100% ERROR-FREE

Circle 107 on inquiry card.

Circle 272 on inquiry card.

■\ r

DISPLAYED VIDEO IS DRIVING DOWN
PRICES ON DISKS! FREE SHIPPING!

TEC'S NEW HALF-HIGH 40 TRACK DISK DRIVE
W/CASE & POWER SUPPLY AT AN INCREDIBLE

LOW PRICE! $195.00!!!!!

NEW! TRUE HALF HEIGHT DRIVES! 1 5/8 INCH

NOT 2 INCH OR 2 7/16 INCH! DIRECT DRIVE!

NO DRIVE BELT! 3MS TRACK TO TRACK!

TEAC's New Slimline 40 Track w/case & power supply $235.00

Tandon 40 Track TM-100-1 w/case & power supply $220.00

(DOUBLE SIDED 40 TRACK DRIVES ADD $75.00)

Shugart New Slimline Double Sided 40 Track w/case & P.S $299.00

Shugart New Slimline Double Sided 80 Track w/case & P.S $379.00

Tandon Single Sided Slimline 8" Disk Drive w/dual case & P.S. . . . $545.00
Tandon Double Sided Slimline 8" Disk Drive w/dual case & P.S.. . . $625.00
Two Drive 5 1/4" Cable (FOR most COMPUTERS) $23.99

(WITH GOLD PLATED CONNECTORS)

DV's Color Computer 1st Drive Only $389.00

ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON TEAC & SHUGART DRIVES/180 DAYS ON TEC & TANDON

Hayes Smart Modem 300 Baud $225.00 1200 Baud $525.00

Model 1 Double Density Board $89.00

DVs Line Filter W/Surge Supression $45.00

Diskette File Box "Holds 70 Diskettes" $29.95

PRINTER PRICES

MX80 FT w/Graphtrax Plus. $459.00 Gemini 10 $349.00

MX100 w/Graphtrax Plus . $659.00 Gemini 15 $479.00

RX80 w/Graphtrax Plus. . . $389.00 Citoh Prowriter 8510 $395.00

FX80 w/Graphtrax Plus. . . $569.00 Starwriter F10 $1169.00

FX100 w/Graphtrax Plus. . $779.00 Smith Corona TP1 $595.00

Printer Cable 10' long w/gold plated connectors starting at $25.99

DV'S EXCLUSIVE "YOU CANT LOSE"
SIX MONTH WARRANTY!

"NO YOU'RE NOT SEEING THINGS, THAT'S FOUR

INTERNAL DRIVES IN A MODEL 4, WITH UP TO 4 MEG,

DISK STORAGE AVAILABLE NOW!

DV IS DRIVING DOWN PRICES ON DISK!

DISPLAYED VIDEO is now offering TRS-80' MODEL 4 with TANDON/
TEC/TEAC disk drives, one of the most reliable disk drive systems on
the market, for INCREDIBLY low prices.

MODEL 4 with 64K dual 40 track double density disk drives, complete
system with TRSDOS 6.0 and 1 BOX OF DISKETTES

PLUG IT IN AND GO $1599.00/128K $1679.00

MODEL 4 with 64K dual 40/40 track double density disk drives, complete
systems with TRSDOS 6.0 and 1 BOX OF DISKETTES

PLUG IT IN AND GO $1899.00/128K $ 1979.00

MODEL 4 with 64K dual 80 track double density disk drives, complete
systems with TRSDOS 6.0 and 1 BOX OF DISKETTES

PLUG IT IN AND GO $1899.00/128K . $1979.00

MODEL 4 with 64K dual 80/80 track double density disk drives, complete
systems with TRSDOS 6.0 and 1 BOX OF DISKETTES

PLUG IT IN AND GO $2199.00/128K... $2279.00

MODEL 4 with 64K four 40 track double density internal disk drives,
complete systems with TRSDOS 6.0 and 1 BOX OF DISKETTES

PLUG IT IN AND GO $2299.00/128K... $2379.00

MODEL 4 with 64K four internal drives of any configuration available to

achieve up to 4 meg of disk storage CALL

MODEL III/4 Internal Two Drive Kit: Includes controller board, dual drive
mounting bracket, dual power supply, all hardware cable; and connectors

(gold plated) & TEC Drive $399.00

4 DRIVE KIT MINUS DRIVE $349.00

MODEL 100 8K $679.00 24K $839.00

DV'S MODEL I DOUBLE DENSITY BOARDS $89.00

V

Visit our retail location at:

111 Marshall Street
Litchfield, MI 49252
(313) 426-5086
(313) 482-4424
(517) 542-3280
(517) 542-3939
(517) 542-3947

ISPLAYED

WE CARRY TRS-80, IBM, LNW, EPSON & FRANKLIN COMPUTERS

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

DV'S SIX MONTH

PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY

Authorized Dealership at; 4

111 Marshall Street, Litchfield, Michigan 49252 P142

To Order: Call (313) 426-5086; (313) 482-4424; (517) 542-3280
(517) 542-3939; (517) 542-3947

OR WRITE: «!..«■■

Displayed V,deo, 111 Marshall St., Litchfield, MI 49252 Clrcle 154 on mqulry card

'TRS-80 is a trademark of the Tandy Corporation Prices subject to change without notice.

• 8K ROM

• 2K RAM

• 4 motors

• optical scanners

• speaker

• 2 eyes

• ground

• control from any

scanner

RS-232C

interface

$660.00

10% Rebate til 1/1/84

Manual only $20 prepaid

nLllfel/1*- P-O. Box 4010
KnlNW 2502 S.Neil

ROBOTS ChamPai9n'IL

61820

Circle 368 on inquiry card.

GET FULLY VALIDATED

ADA* ON YOUR S-100

PERSONAL

COMPUTER

NOW!

Digicomp's
DELPHI-100
dual processor
system hosts the first validated
Ada for a microcomputer. Turn
your S-l 00 system into a work-
station for Ada training and
system programming.

CALL 1-800^57-6000

(NYS: 607-273-5900)

OR WRITE TO US TODAY.

iDigicomp Research

) TerracpHill Ithaca NY 14850 607 273-5900

•ADA IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF U S DoD |AJPO|

Circle 140 on inquiry card.

6801

Test Bed

& Programmer

Virtual In-Circuil Emulator (VICE)
develops single-chip microcomputer
programs for the 6801/68701 and
programs on-board EPROM. A cost
and time effective way to program
the 6801/68701 for $695.

w i v 'i1 1? ir 1 19ai Soulh s,'eel

11 ■ k» I ■•< '* lalayette, IN 47904

APPLE COMPATIBLE

Disk Drive $150.00 ea.

Controller Card $35.00 ea.

Computer Case $55.00 ea.

Keyboard $70.00 ea.

(Numeric and Function Keys)
Switching Power Supply. .$49.50 ea.
Joystick (Heavy Duty) . . . .$17.50 ea.
Slim Fan $25.00 ea.

Prices for dealers in quantities of 25 or more.
End Users Inquiries welcomed.

ELECTRADE CO. (408) 946-2541

780 Trimble Rd. Suite 605
San Jose, CA 95131

Circle 168 on inquiry card.

SL-MICRO

STATISTICAL LANGUAGE
for MICROCOMPUTERS

features

VALUE and VAR LABELS

DATA TRANSFORMATION

FREQUENCIES CROSSTABS

PEARSON CORR REGRESSION

CONDESCRIPTIVE

Only $250. Manual $15
Available for IBM PC. CP/M
or MS-DOS. Many Formats.

QSC BOX 23056

LANSING, Ml 48909

PHONE (517) 641-4428

Circle 363 on inquiry card.

BIG SAVINGS

Apple Compatible

Closeouts

• Cooling Fan

• 16K Ram Card

• Case

• Keyboard & Cable

• Mother Board

• Power Supply

• Disk Drive

$49
39
45
69

199
59

195

CAL-COM

1109 BRIARWOOD
ANAHEIM, CA 92805

714-635-0768

Radio Shack TRS-80™
Computers

At Guaranteed savings

from
Pan

American
Electronics

jgfe. 1117 Conway Ave.
"* Dept. B

Mission, Texas 78572
Ph. 512/581-2766

TO ORDER
CALL TOLL FREE

800-531-7466

Circle 335 on inquiry card.

PASCAL

DOS 3.3

NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE
UTILITY FOR APPLES®

TRANSFER TEXT, CODE AND DATA

FILES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS BETWEEN

DOS 3.3 AND UCSD® PASCAL

VIEW EITHER DIRECTORY (CATALOG)

FAST CONVERSION OF TEXT FILES

FAST TRANSFERS OF ALL FILES

d-on^nc DOMESTIC
$39.95 SHIPPING INCLUDED

INCLUDES DOCUMENTATION

PASDOS

LINNTON ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
P.O. BOX 17612
PORTLAND, ORE 97217
503 286 0459

DecOtec'

has you

covered

DecOtec" tailored covers extend the

life of your equipment by protecting

against dust, dirt, glitches and bugs.

Our covers can be tailored to fit ALL

equipment.

Write or call for free brochures and

estimates.

Dealer/OEM volume inquiries invited

nECOm.

P.O. Box 24449 Dept. B« Day1on.Ohio45424

(513) 236-9923

Circle 458 on inquiry card.

Circle 59 on inquiry card.

Circle 137 on inquiry card.

Hewlett Packard

Write or call for prices.

ra

SPECIALS

on INTREGATED CIRCUITS

6502

7.45

10/6.95

50/6.55 100/6.15

6502A/6512A

8.4U

10/7.95

50/7.35 100/6.90

6520 PIA

5.15

10/4.90

50/4.45 100/4.15

6522 VIA

6.45

10/6.10

50/5.75 100/5.45

6532

7.90

10/7.40

50/7.00 100/6.60

2114-L200

2.45

25/2.30 100/2.15

2716EPR0M

4.45

5/4.20 10/3.95

2532 EPROM

5.90

5/5.75 10/5.45

6116 2KX8 CMOS RAM

6.45

5/6.20 10/5.95

4116 RAM

8 for 14

4164 RAM

6.50

Zero Insertion Force 24 gin

Socket ^Scanbe) 2.00

Anchor
Automation.
Signalman
Modems

FREE SOURCE MEMBERSHIP WITH SIGNALMAN

All Signalman Modems are Direct Connect, and include cables
to connect to your computer and to the telephone. Signalman
Modems provide the best price-performance values.

Dealer and OEM inquiries invited
Volksmodem (79) 59

RS232 or Atari Cable for Volksmodem 9

Mark VI for IBM Personal Computer (279) 179
Mark VII Auto Dial/Auto Answer (1 59) 99
Mark XII Smart Model 1200/300 (399) 299

219

529

DC HAVES Smsrtmodetn

DC Hayes Smartmodem 1200/300

PHOM QUEEN for VIC 170

Apple Emulator for Commodore 64 Call

STAT Statistics Package for C64 95

Solid Oak 2 Level Stand for C64 or VIC 29

C64/VIC Switch (networking) 1 25

BACKUP VI.O tape copier for C64 or VIC 20

CARDBOARD/6 Motherboard - VIC 64

CARDBOARD/5 Motherboard - C64 56

CARD PRINT G Printer Int. with Graphics 72

CARD PRINT B Printer Interface— C64/VIC 40

CARDB0ARD/3S Motherboard - VIC 22

CARDCO C64/VIC Calculator Keypad 32

CARDRAM/16 RAM Expansion - VIC 44

Complete CARDCO Line in stock

CIE and VIE IEEE Interfaces in stock

MSD SuperDrive for C64 or IEEE 365

MAE Assembler for C64 50

APPII— FRANKLIN if EMS

KRAFT Apple Joystick

Kraft Apple Paddle Pair

SPINNAKER Software in stock

Broderbund Software in stock

16K RAM Card for Apple

Multiplin— Microsoft

Solid Oak 2 Level Stand for Apple

Serial Card for Apple

MCP RAM/80 column card for lie (AP/TXT)

Z80 Softcard and CP/M (Microsoft)

RANA Elite I with Controller

Parallel Printer Interface/Cable

Microtek Interfaces in stock

Apple Dumpling with 16K Buffer

Grappler + Interface

Kraft Products for Apple in stock

DC Hayes Micromodem II

PFS: File

PFS: Report

Videx 80 Column Card

Hayden Software for Apple 20% OFF

Apple Blue Book

40

30

59

185

29

99
139

235

389

69

160

129

299
95
95

209

19

H commodore

See us for Personal, Business ,and Educational
requirements. Educational Discounts available.

PET SCAN I $245 base price

Allows you to connect up to 30 CBM/PET Computers to
shared disk drives and printers. Completely transparent to the
user. Perfect for schools or multiple word processing con-
figurations. Base configuration supports 2 computers. Addi-
tional computer hookups $100 each.

COMPACK/STCP

$115

Intelligent Terminal Package for PET, CBM, C64

Includes ACIA Hardware / STCP Software

VIC/C64 Switch "HNetworking 125

Allows 8 computers to share drive and printer.

SCREENMAKER 80 Column Adapter for C 64 145

Provides big screen capability for business applications .

GENESIS Computer Corp

VIController (for C64 as well) 50

combine with BSR modules for home or business control

COMSENSE Remote Sensing Adapter torC64 orVIC 35

COM VOICE Synthesizer for C64 or VIC 1 39

includes software for text to speech, pitch ,etc.

COM CLOCK Real Time Clock with battery backup 45

VIC 20 Products and Software in stock

Thorn EMI Software UMI Software

ABACUS Software HES Software

18X RAM for VIC 64 Vanilla Pilot

27

VICTORY Software for VIC and C 64

Street Sweepers (VIC) 1 2 Kongo Kong (VIC )

Night Rider (VIC)
Annihilate
Adventure Pack II
Educational Pack I
Strategy Pack I

11
16
16
11

16

Cosmic Debris VIC)

Adventure Pack I

Metamorphosis

Trek

Grave Robbers

16
12
16
11
12
12

PAPER CLIP Word Processor 109

ORACLE Data Base from Batteries Included 125

Super BusCard from Batteries Included 179

Commodore 64 Programmers Reference Guide 16

MicroChess for C 64—8 levels of play 1 9

excellent graphics and color
SPINNAKER Software C64. Apple, IBM, Atari

Computers First Book of PET/CBM 1 1

C64 or VIC SWITCH 125

POWER ROM Utilities lor PET/CBM 78

WordPro 3+/64 with Spellmaster 65

WordPro 4+ - 8032,disk printer 279
SPELLMASTER spelling checker for WordPro

VISICALC for PET, ATARI, or Apple 189

PET-TRAX PET to Epson Graphics Software 40

SM-KIT enhanced PET/CBM ROM Utilities 40

Programmers Toolkit - PET ROM Utilities 35

Calc Result Advanced— C 64 135

EASY CALC for C64 65

PET Spacemaker II ROM Switch 36

COPYWRITER Word Processor for C64 49

2 Meter PET to IEEE or IEEE to IEEE Cable 40

Dust Cover for PET, CBM, 4040, or 8050 8
CmC Interfaces (ADA1800, ADA1450, SADI in stock)

Programming the PET/CBM (Compute!) — R West 20

Compute! First Book of VIC 11

OMNICALC (HES) 79

HES MODEM with Software 65
HES Software and Hardware in stock
UMI products in stock

^faiwPKJMMfm $110

Database, Report Writer with calculations, Mailing Lists.

FORTHJor PET/C64 full FIG model — Cargill/Riley $50
Metacompiler for FORTH for independent object code 30

KMMM PASCAL IV.1 for PET/C64 99

EARL for PET/CBM Disk-based ASSEMBLER 65

Super Graphics — BASIC Language Extensions 45

Fast machine language graphics routines for PET/CBM

RAM/ROM for PET/CBM 4K $75 8K $90

Commodore Public Domain Software for C64 75

DISK
SPECIALS

Scotch (3M) 5" ss/dd
Scotch (3M) 5" ds/dd
Scotch (3M) 8" ss/sd
Scotch (3M) 8" ss/dd

We stock VERBATIM DISKS

Write for Dealer and OEM prices.

Sentinal 5" ss/dd 10/1.90 50/1.85 100/1.80

Sentinal 5" ds/dd 10/2.55 50/2.50 100/2.45

We stock Dysan disks

10/2.20 50/2.00 100/1.95

10/3.05 50/2.80 100/2.75

10/2.30 50/2.10 100/2.06

10/2.85 50/2.70 100/2.65

Wabash 5" ss/sd
Wabash 5" ss/dd
Wabash 8" ss/sd

10/1.60 50/1.55 100/1.45
10/1.90 50/1.85 100/1.75
10/2.00 50/1.95 100/1.85

We stock MAXELL DISKS

Write for dealer and OEM prices.

Disk Storage Pages 1 0 for $5 Hub Rings 50 for $6
Disk Library Cases 8"— 3.00 5"— 2.25
Head Cleaning Kits 1 1

CASSETTE TAPES— AGFA PE-611 PREMIUM

C-10 10/61 50/ .58 100/ .50

C-30 10/ .85 50/ .82 100/ .70

DATASHIELD BACKUP POWER SOURCE $265

Battery back up Uninterruptible Power Supply with surge and
noise filtering. The answer to your power problems.

MultiPlan— IBM or Apple 185

Quadboard for IBM available

Peachtext 5000 Software Package 219

PFS Software for IBM and Apple in stock

VOTRAX Personal Speech System 280

BMC 9191 Color Monitor 229

BMC 12A 12" Green Monitor 85

Dynax (Brother) DX-15 Daisy Wheel Printer 469

Itoh Prowriter Parallel Printer 379
Panasonic 1090 Printer with Correspondence Mode

Daisywriter 2000 with 48K buffer 1 050

Gemini) OX 299
EPSON, Okidata, other printers in stock

USI CompuMOD 4 R F Modulator 29
We Stock AMDEK Monitors

AmdekDXY-1 00 Plotter 590
A P Products 15% OFF
Watanabe Intelligent Plotter 990 6-pen 1290

BROOKS 6 Outlet Surge Suppressor/Noise Filter 54

Electrohome 1302-2 13" Hi-res RGB Monitor 335

Panasonic 1 2" Monitor (20 MHz) with audio 139

Synertek SYM-1 Microcomputer 189

ALL BOOK and SOFTWARE PRICES DISCOUNTED

USI Video Monitors— Green or AMBER 20 MHz hi-res.
Dealer and OEM inquiries invited

TfMJTH

data
systems

ZVM-122A 109 ZVM-123G 99

ZVM-131 300 ZVM-135 510

HERO 1 Robot (factory assembled) 2145

Z29 Terminal (DEC and ADM compatible) 680

ZT-1 0 Intel. Terminal with Serial Port 340

Z1 00 1 6-bit/8-bit Systems CALL
We stock entire Zenith line.

A

ATARr

SPECIALS

WE STOCK ENTIRE LINE— write for prices.
SPINNAKER and Broderbund Software in Stock.

215-822-7727

252 Bethlehem Pike
Colmar, PA 1891 5

A B Computers

WRITE FOR CATALOG. Add S1.50 per order for United Parcel.
We pay balance of UPS surface shipping charges on all prepaid orders
(add extra for mail. APO/FPO. air). Prices include cash discount
Regular prices slightly higher Prices subject to change.

Circle 7 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 609

SUPER-FAST!

Z80

DISASSEMBLER

$69.95

Uses Zilog Mnemonics, allows user defined
labels, strings, and data spaces. Source or
listing-type output with Xref to any device.
Available tor 280 CP/M or TRS-80.

SLR Systems

200 Homewood Drive

Butler, PA 16001

(412) 282-0864

Add S2.00 shipping. Specify format required.
Check, money order. VISA, Master Card. C.O.D.
PA residents add 6% sales tax. Dealer Inquiries
Invited. CP/M, TRS-80 TM ol Digital Research,
Tandy Corp.

wabash

When it comes to

Flexible Disks, nobody

does it better than

Wabash.

MasterCard. Visa Accepted.
Call Free: (800)235-4137

PACIFIC
EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd
San Luis Obispo. CA
93401 (In Cal call
(805)543-1037)

SINGLE-CHIP

MICROCOMPUTER

BOARDS & KITS

* 8048/8049/8050/8748

* 8036/8039/8040/8749

* 8031/8051/8751

* 6611O/6500/11/12/13

* 6501Q/6541Q

Boards from $24.95
Kits from $55.95

TECH STAR LABORATORY

Suite 504, R&B Corp. Park
1701 N Greenville Ave.
Richardson, TX 75081

Circle 389 on Inquiry card.

Circle 334 on inquiry card.

Circle 419 on inquiry card.

Programmable
Communications
Translator

The PCT-100 is a configurable in-line
rs-z32 protocol and data translator,
the pct-100 can provide:

* terminal or printer emulation

* dec or ibm system compatibility

* Macro-function keys

* "Type-ahead" and data buffering

* Baud rate conversion

* Handshake protocol translation
(e.g. CTS/RTS, XON/XOFF)

The PCT-100 is configured using a
built-in Communications Translation
Language. Programs can be easily
entered s edited from any ascii device.

PCT-100-PCB (PCB ONLY) $ 289

PCT-100-ASM (PCB W/ CASE)..$ 339
PCT-512-M00 (POWER SUPPLY ).$ 59

m

<cW£0

VISA'

Method Systems Incorporated

19751 South Lakeshore Boulevard

Euclid. Ohio Vtl19

(216) 531-0WB

SMAL/80

SMAi./nn

HL=M(PTR) ;
DE=9;
HL=HL+DE;
IF A-L EQUAL
THEN

A=A-14
ELSE
A=L;
M(BC)=A;

AKKpmhlpr

LHLD PTR
LXI D,9

DAD
CMP
JNZ
SUI
J MP
LI: MOV

D

L

LI

14

L2

A,L

L2:STAX B

New! Z-80 version (runs on 8080's):
$175. 8080 version only: $150. Macro-
processor only: $75. Available on
CP/M disks. Add $4 for shipping.
Complete tutorial text: "Structured
Microprocessor Programming"
(Publ; Yourdon Press) $20 plus $2
shipping. Send for your free button
and literature or try the Ultimate
Demo: SMAL/80 is Guaranteed!

Chromod Associates,

1030 Park Ave., Hoboken, N. J. 07030
Telephone: (201) 653-7615

Now... You Can Monitor

7 Most Important
RS-232 Interface Lines

Circle 280 op inquiry card.

Circle 69 on inquiry card.

Made in America

RS-232-INTERFACE TESTER

connects in series with any RS-232 interface. LED's clearly
display status of 7 functions:. transmit data, receive data,
request to send, clear to send, data set ready, carrier detect,
data terminaf ready. Requires no power; may be led in per-
manently. Satisfaction guaranteed. ORDER NOW! Only $39.95
plus S1.75 lor postage and handling, (IL res. add 5% sales
lax); we accept MC. Visa. FREE, illustrated catalog of problem
delecting equipment. Phone 815/539-5827. Make checks
payable to:

OO electronics

Box 475 B, MENDOTA, IL 61342

Circle 41 on inquiry card.

SAVE MORE

THAN EVER ON

3M Scotch

DISKETTES!

$195 $070

^ ■ — 5V." DSDD ™ W ZJZ.

| Oty. 20 (745)-* ^taQty. 20

5'/*" SSQD— 96TPI (746) $2.89 ea

BW DSQD— 96TPI (747) $3.95 ea.

(Specify soft. 10 or 16 sector.)

8* SSSD (740) $2.07 ea.

8" SSDD (741) $2.54 ea.

8~ DSDD (743) $3.30 ea.

(Specify soft or 32 sector.)
Lifetime Warranty!

3M HEAD CLEANING KITS $23.00

Save even more on quantity orders!

Minimum Order: 20 diskettes. Add $3.00 shipping

per 200 diskettes C.O.D. charge $1.65 additional.

Visa • Mastercard • Checks

For fast service, call

DISK WORLD!

Nationwide: 1-800-621-6827
In Illinois: 312-944-2788

Suile 4806 > 30 E. Huron Street . Chicago. Illinois 60611

Authorized Distributor

COMPUTER INTERFACES

ini

Convert your electronic typewriter
to a letter-quality computer printer!
Available for Olivetti Praxis 30,35,
40, S. 41 and Adler/Royal 1005,
1010, 1011/5005, 5010, 5011.

• Centronics parallel or RS-232C
serial

• Easily installs inside typewriter

• Compatible with most computers

• Cable assemblies available

• Prices start at only $149.

eiectane
2B301 Industrial Blvd.
d, CA 94545

CALL TOLL FREE

800-227-0376

800-421-5389 [In CA)

M^MU™ and

your

HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS-

DataStar's powerful data input, sorting,
and editing, and your Fortran programs
to perform sophisticated data process-
ing. With DSUBS, simple' subroutine
calls are all that are needed to read,
write, and update DataStar data and
index files.

SUPER DEAL: UTILITY package that
includes numerous string processing,
terminal control, CP/M BDOS and BIOS
calls, character and number I/O, etc.,
and the DSUBS package, along with
programming examples and thorough
documentation, all for sgg

Random Access, Inc.

P.O. Box 2094
Bloomington, IN 47402

(812) 339-5854

DataStar is a trademark ol MicroPro Int.
CP/M is a trademark ol Digital Research.

Circle 152 on inquiry card.

Circle 384 on inquiry card.

Circle 367 on inquiry card.

IS Hand well

4962 EL CAMINO REAL. SUITE 1 19 • LOS ALTOS. CA 94022

(415) 962-9265 « TLX 171947 HANDWELL LTOS • 1-(800) 821-3628

corp

7400

7400

7401

7402

7403

7404

7405

7406

7407

7408

7409

7410

7411

7412

7413

7414

7416

7417

7420

7421

7422

7423

7425

7426

7427

7429

7430

7432

7437

7438

7439

7440

7441

7442

7443

7444

7445

7448

7447

7448

7450

7451

7453

7454

7459

7460

7470

7472

7473

7474

7475

7476

7479

7480

7482

7483

7485

7486

7489

7490

7491

7492

7493

7494

7495

7496

7497

74100

74107

74109

74116

74121

74122

74123

19
22
22
22
22
23
2.35
2.35
26
23
22
29
29
39
59
29
29
22
35
29
29
29
29
25
45
23
29
25
29
29
19
79
57
95
95
79
79
65
79
19
19
19
19
25
23
29
29
34
34
38
34
4 60
49
95
55
65
35

1 75
39
57
45
45
69
65
69

2 90
2 90

32
37
1 95
29
39
59

74125
74126
74128
74132
74136
74139
74141
74142
74143
74144
74145
74147
74148
74150
74151
74152
74153
74154
74155
74156
74157
74158
74159
74160
74161
74162
74163
74164
74165
74166
74167
74170
74172
74173
74174
74175
74176
74177
74179
74180
74181
74182
74184
74185
74186
74188
74190
74191
74192
74193
74194
74195
74196
74197
74198
74199
74221
74251
74273
74276
74279
74823
74284
74285
74290
74298
74365
74366
74367
74368
74390
74393
74490

39

44

59

69

75

95

79

2.95

2 95

2 95

62

1 95

1 20

1 09

67

67

67

1 19

78

78

69

1 65

2 49

87

87

87

1 20

1 95

1.69

4 75

79

89

85

75

75

1 34

75

1 75

75

2.25

2.25

9 95

3 90

1 15

1 15

85

85

85

.68

85

85

1.39

1.39

1 19

95

1 05

1 89

75

1 40

390

3 90

1 25

95

74LS00

J

74S00

.68

1 45
1 90

1 90

DIP SWITCHES

90
90
90
95

SOUND CHIPS

AY389H)
AY3-8912
MC3340

2 95

8 95

9 95

12 95
1 49

MOS PROMS

270B

2758 ■

2716

2716-1

TMS2516

TMS27I6

TMS2532

2732

2732-260

2732-200

2764

2764-250

2764-200

TMS2564

MC68764

27128

3 95

5 95

3 95
5 95
5 50

7 95
5 95

4 95

8 95

11 95
8 95

10 95
16 95

12 95
39.95
25.95

74LSOO

74LS01

74LS02

74LS03

74LS04

74LS05

74LS08

74LS09

74LS10

74LS11

74LS12

74LSI3

74LS14

74LSt5

74LS20

74L.S21

74LS22

74LS26

74LS27

74LS28

74LS30

74LS32

74L533

74LS37

74LS38

74LS40

74LS42

74LS47

74LS48

74LS51

74LS54

74LS55

74LS73

74LS74

74LS75

74LS76

74LS78

74LS83A

74LS85

74LS86

74LS90

74LS92

74LS93

MLS95

74LS96

74LS107

MLS 109

74LS113

74LS114

74LS122

74LS123

74LS124

74LS125

74LSI26

74LS132

74LSI36

74LS138

74LS139

74LSI45

74LSM8

74LS1S1

74LSI53

74LS154

74LS1!>!>

74LS156

74LS157

74LSI58 ■

74LS160

74LSI6I

74LS133

74LS241

74LS280

74LS299

74LS339

t 25

1 49
79

65

1 69

2 90
2 00

74LS162
74LS163
74LS164
74LS165
74LS166
74LS168
74LS169
/4LS170
74LS173
74LS174
74LS175
7JLS1BI
74LS190
74LS191
74LS192
74LS193
74LS194
74LS195
74LS196
74LS197
74LS221
74LS240
74L.S24?
74LS243
74LS244
74LS245
74LS247
74LS248
74LS249
74LS251
74LS253
74LS257
74LS253
74LS259
74LS260
74LS261
74LS266
74LS273
74LS276
74LS279
74LS283
74LS290
74LS293
74LS295
74LS298
74LS324
74LS347
74LS348
74LS352
74LS3S3
74LS363
74LS365
74LS366
74LS36-
74LS368
74LS373
74LS37J
74LS375
74LS377
74LS38ii
74LS38r>
74LS390
74LS393
74LS395
74LS399
74LS424
74LS668
74LS670
74LS378
74LS379
74LS381
74LS640
74LS64S
74LS690

1 19
89

2 48
1 15
1 15
1 99

1 69
1 69

1 75
4 40

2 29

1 95

1 95

2 95

Tel: 1-(800)-821-3628

Z80 SERIES

8000 SERIES

8200 SERIES

6800 SERIES

CALL FOR
PRICE

S-RAM

2101

5101

2111

2112

2114

2114-25

2114L-4

2H4L-3

2114L-2

2147

HM6116-4

HM6116-3

HM6116-2

HM61 16LP-4

HM6116LP-3

HM6116LP-2

l/l

1 95

3 95

2 49

2 99

J 9 95

8

10 95

8

12 95

8

13 45

a

13 95

4 95

4 75

4 95

8 95

5 95

6 95

10 95

74SOO

74S02

74S03

74S04

74S05

74S08

74S09

74S10

74S11

74S15

74S20

74S22

74S30

74S32

74S38

74S40

74S51

74S64

74S65

74S74

74S86

74S112

74S113

74S114

74S124

74S133

74S134

74S135

74S136

74S138

74S139

74S139

74S140

74S151

74S153

74S157

74S158

74S160

74S174

74S175

74SI88

74S194

74S195

74S196

74S240

74S241

74S242

74S243

74S244

74S251

74S253

74S257

74S258

74S260

74S280

74S287

74S288

74S373

74S374

74S387

74S471

74S472

74S473

74S474

74S475

74S570

74S571

74S572

74S573

74S940

74S941

74S132

74S161

74S163

74S181

74S189

74S225

74S283

74S289

52

52

49

49

42

42

42

42

42

42

49

1 19

49

42

46

46

69

72

72

72

72

3 69

54

66

1 15

1 69

1 29

1 29

1 29

73

1 29

1 29

1 29

1 29

2 75
1 49

1 49

2 69
1 89
1 89

1 89

2 75
2 75
2 99
2 99
299
1 35
1 35
1 29

1 29
75

2 79
2 99

2 55

3 10
3 10
2 75
7 95
7 95

7 95
9 95
9 95
5.75
5.75

8 95
8 95
2 90
2 90

2 15
2.95

3 15
2 15
2.95
7 75

4 15
395

Miscellaneous

6502

68000

8748

8255-5

82S123

82S129

82S131

93422

93L422

93425

93427

D2125AL-2

D2104

AY5-3600

6810

8304

4.95
49.95
24.95
5.95
2.55
2.99
399
8.95
9.95
3.95
8.95
3.95
1.95
12.95
3.95
3.95

DRAM

LINEAR

LM301CN

LM304H

LM305H

LM306H

LM307CN

LM308CN

LM309K

LM310CN

LM311D/CN

LM312H

LM317T

LM318CN

LM319N/H

LM320K-XX'

LM320T-XX'

LM320H-XX'

LM323K

LM324N

LM337K

LM338K

LM339N

LM340K-XX'

LM340T-XX-

LM340H-XX'

LM344H

LM348N

LM350K

LM358CN

LM360N

LM372N

LM376N

LM377N

LM380CN/N

LM381N

LM383T

LM386N

LM387N

35
1.98
1.89
3.25

.29

98
1.49
1.25

89
1 75
1.70
1 49
1.25
1.35
1.39
1 25
4.95

95
5.95
6.95

95
1 75
1 25
1.25
1.95
1.20
5.60

98
1.49
1 95
3 75
275
1.25
1.79
1 95
1 25
1.40

16RAMCARD

Compatiblewith
DOS3.3.CP M.
Visicalc. PASCAL
1 YR WARRANTY

$39.!

IN-LINE
PRINTER BUFFER

FOR ANY COMPUTER

ANY PRINTER
■64K Byte
■Parallel to Parallel
"Parallel to Serial
"Serial to Parallel
"Serial to Serial

Model BF64S '225.°° I

For single computer

single printer

Model BF64M '395.°°

For multi-computer

single printer
Allow up to four
computers

Share one printer

MULTIFUNCTION BOARD

WITH MEMORY, I/O

CLOCK

FOR IBM P/C
CALL FOR LOWEST PRICE

SPEEDY EPROM

PROGRAMMER

FOR APPLE II

PROGRAMMING

2716, 2732. 2764, 27128,

2532, 2564

IN 30 SECONDS $99.00

Applell/lle

Compatible $175.00
DiskDrive

CONTROLLER
CARD $44.95

SUPER COOLING

FANS FOR APPLE

WITH SURG

LOGIC PROBE

WITH MEMORY

FUNCTION

s22.95

IBM MEMORY
EXPANSION KIT

IBM 64K $52.95
(9Pcs64KRAM)

HighQuality
Diskettes

5%" SS/SD 15/Box
5V." SS/DD 17/Box
5V DS/DD 27/Box

80 Column Dot Matrix
Printer

CP-80byC.T.I.
80 cps parallel interface
graphics printing compatible
with EPSON MX80FT

SALE PRICE s299.00

32 758 khz
1 Omhz

1 B432
20

2 097152

2 4576

3 2768

3 579535
40
50
5 0688

5 185
57143
60

6 144
6 5536
80
100

10 738635
12 00
14 31818
150

16 0

17 430
180

18 432
20 0

22 1184
32 0

1.75
395
395
2.95
2 95
2.95
2.95
2.95
2.95
2 95
2 95
2 95
2.95
2 95
2 95
2 95
2.95
2 95
2 95
295
2.95
2 95
2 95
2.95
2.95
2.95
2 95
2.95
2 95

TMS4027

UPD411

MM5280

MK4108

MM 5298

4116-300

4116-250

4116-200

4116-150

4116-120

21 18

4164-200

4 1 64- 1 50

1 99

3 00
300
1 95
1 85

8 11 75
8 11 95
8 12 95
8 14 95
8 29 95

4 95

5 95

6 95

TERMS: For shipping include 52 ior UPS Ground or S3
for UPS Blue Label Air. Hems over 5 pounds require
additional shipping charges. S10 minimum order.

IS Hand well

4962 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE 119 • LOS ALTOS, CA 94022|
1(415) 962-9265* TLX: 171947 HANDWELL LTOS i

1-(800) 821-3628

corp

Circle 210 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

611

5V4" DISK DRIVES

* TANDON: TM 100-1

Single Sided, 40 TRK/Side
Single or Double Density .

* TANDON: TM 100-2

Double Sided, 40 TRK/Side
Single or Double Density

• CDC: 9409

Double Sided, 40 TRK/Side
Single or Double Density . ...

$17900

Free Shipping

*23900

Free Shipping

$23900

Free Shipping

*229

Free Shipping

Order Toll Free

1 -800-531 -5475 (Outside Ot Texas) HI
(512) 250-1489 (In Texas) gfl

Texas Residents Add 5% Sales Tax.

• SHUGART: SA 455

Halt Height, Double Sided, 40
TRK/Side Single or Double Density ,

iCompuPdd

Corp.

13010 Research Blvd., Suite 101
Austin, Texas 78750

of looking for reliable
Source of Supply?

IE?

1MMWM

from Looking???

about
QUALITY??

DISKETTES +
RIBBONS +
ACCESSORIES

Call Bob Kelly Now. . .
Kelly Computer Supplies

1811 Carl St. -St. Paul, MN 55113

Toll Free ... 800 - 447 - 2929

MN Res. Call Collect. . .612/644-9030

3M SCOTCH DISKETTES

&TDK

flexible disks

Call Free (800)235-4137

for prices and information.
Dealer inquiries invited.
C.O.D. and charge cards
accepted.

v/sa-

PACIFIC
EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd
San Luis Obispo. CA
93401 (In Cal call
(805)543-1037)

Circle 88 on inquiry card.

Circle 251 on inquiry card.

Circle 334 on inquiry card.

SMITH-CORONA

Memory Correct III Messenger

Printer & Typewriter

• RS232 Serial Or
Centronics Parallel

• Multiple Pitch 10. 12,15

Order Toll Free:
Free Shipping

$579

1-800-531-5475 (Outside Of Texas) £C
(512) 250-1489 (In Texas)

iCompufidd

Corp

13010 Research Blvd., Suite 101
Austin, Texas 78750

Circle 89 on inquiry card.

Apple

Compatible Drives

$195

Includes:

• 40TRK, 163 K Drive

• Cabinet & Cable

• Free Shipping

• 6 Month Warranty

Order Toll Free:
Free Shipping

1-800-531-5475 (Outside 01 Texas)
(512) 250-1489 (hi Texas)

iCompuPldd

Corp

13010 Research Blvd., Suite 101
Austin, Texas 78750

Circle 90 on inquiry card.

SftM

• ■rW^gS

lWve.

A

(fl°st^jstef°s,.Vp,6 tor

>oyy££

Circle 128 on inquiry card.

Best Prices On Quality Printers!

Epson:

RX 80 »Call

RX80FT »Call

fxbo "Call

Fxioo «Call

Star Mlcrunlcs:

Gaminl-MX «299

Gemlnl-15 M39

Order Toll Free: Free Shipping

1-800-531-5475 (Outside Ot Texas) HI
(512) 250-1489 (In Texas) WW

jCompuAdd

Corp

13010 Research Blvd., Suite 101
Austin, Texas 78750

Electronic

Circuit

Analysis

• AC and DC analysis

• Very fast, optimized machine language

• Worst case, sensitivity analysis

• Sweep component values

• 64 Nodes

• Compare circuits

• Log or linear sweep

• Full file handling

• Full editing, error trapping

• Frequency response, magnitude and phase

• Complete manual with examples

• Transmission lines

• Complex y parameters

• Available for CP/M, MSDOS, TRSDOS

• Price - $150.00

Tatum Labs

P.O. Box 698

Sandy Hook, CT 06482

(203) 426-2184

MEMORY FOR IBM PC-XT

64K — $159.95
320K — $319.95
384K — $359.95
512K — $439.95

• Uses 64K Drams

• Gold Fingers — Solder Mask

• Addressing On Any 64K Block

• No Parity

Add 6% sales tax in California. Add
$2.00 for shipping. Add $2.00 for C.O.D.
Send check or money order to:

IN SYNC

5738 Commerce Blvd.

Rhonert Park, CA 94928

(707) 585-2793

Circle 91 on inquiry card.

Circle 415 on inquiry card.

Circle 224 on inquiry card.

MEM-

Ideal for

• COMPUTERISTS

• OEM MANUFACTURERS

• DEVELOPMENT LABS

• UNIVERSITIES

• INDUSTRIAL
APPLICATIONS

THE ULTIMATE OEM/PC

COMPATIBLE SINGLE

BOARD COMPUTER

FULL IBM - PC*
COMPATIBILITY!

DEALERS AND OEM MANUFACTURERS
QUANTITY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

Standard Key-
board Interface

(Full PC compatible)

Eight Compatible
I/O Interface
Connectors

(Full PC compatible)
(compatible with all
IBM-PC* plug-in cards)

I

Special J1
Interface

(Allows horizontal mount-
ing of compatible expan-
sion cards for easy bus
expansion and custom
configuring) (Board has
62 pin gold plated compat-
ible connector)

Extended ROM
Capability

(Runs all compatible PC
ROMS) (Jumper program-
mable to accommodate all
popular 8K, 16K, 32K and
64K ROM chips and NEW
EE ROMS! VPP power pin
available for EP ROM
burning!) (External
VPP voltage required)

Board Size

10.5 inch X 13.5 inch

Full Mega-Byte Ram Capacity!
On board!

(With parity)

a 256K Bytes using 64K chips

a 1 Mega Bytes using 256K chips

Hardware Reset

(Overcomes reset flaw
in PC)

Power Connector

(Full IBM* pinout
compatible)

8088 Processor

(Same as PC)

8087 Numeric
Processor

(Same as PC)

Peripheral
Support Circuits

(Same as PC)

Configuration
Switches

(Same as PC)

Speaker/Audio
Port

(Same as PC)

Wire Wrap Area

To facilitate special custom
applications!

ORDER NOW!!!

rrKrt-BOflRD™ Evaluation Board Kit!

(Blank board with full assembly
instructions and parts list.)

Includes highest quality PC board
with gold plating, silk screen,
solder mask

D MEGA-BOARD™ with full assembly instructions $99.95

D USERS MANUAL with theory of operation,

schematics, block diagram, application notes $19.95

D MEGA-BIOS™ fully compatible MS-DOS/PC-DOS BIOS $29.95l

ORDER NOW!!!

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!
|1 0-day money back guarantee if not completely satisfe

4

we

DISPLAY

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CORPORATION

4100 SPRING VALLEY ROAD
SUITE 400
DALLAS, TX 75234
(214) 991-1644

TERMS: Shipment made 2 to 5 weeks from
receipt of order. VISA, MC, money order,
company check accepted. COD'S require
$25 deposit. Balance UPS COD. Please
add $2.00 shipping and handling per order.

*IBM and IBM PC are trademarks of International Business Machines
Circle 153 on inquiry card.

©1983 Display Telecommunications Corporation

BYTE December 1983 613

Smith -Coron* TP-I Daisy Wheel Printer
& $39900

UNBELIEVABLE!

• fully-formed chwBcters • ierl*l or parallel Interface

• compatible wlrh moil • choice of 10 or 12 CPI
micro-computers models

Also for your TP-I letter quality printer —
the Smith-Corona Tractor Feed

1 Adjustable tractor widths

• For continuous forms

• Quick, easy removal

CONVERSES COMPUTER

AT LAST! A FULL IMPLEMENTATION ol Hie original ELIZA program is

now available (0 run on your microcomputer!

Created at MIT in 1966. ELIZA has become the world's most celebrated

artificial intelligence demonstration program. ELIZA is a non-directive

psychotherapist who analyzes each statement as you type it in and then

responds with her own comment or question— and her remarks are

olten amazingly appropriate!

Designed to run on a large mainframe, ELIZA has never before been

available to personal computer users except in greatly stripped down

versions lacking the sophislicalion which made the original program so

Fascinating,

Now, our new microcomputer version possessing the FULL power and
range ot expression ol the original is being oflered at the introductory
price of only 125. And if you want to lind out how she does it (or leach
her to do more), we will include the complete SOURCE PROGRAM tor
only 120 additional.

Order your copy of ELIZA today and you'll never again wonder how to
respond when you hear someone say, "Okay, let's see what this com-
puter of yours can actually do!"

ELIZA 18 AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING FORMATS:

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH GROUP

jj^^^-^arc 931 Norm La Jolla Avenue. Dopt B
^^flj,^™ Los Angeles. CA G0046

<^£^m: (2131 856-73G8 (213] 654-2214
l^^^a^H MC. VISA and checks accepted

ALSO
RS232C

Dot Matrix Printer Interfaces with Apple II

Featuring an Apple llgi-compatlble parallel
Interface, Addmaster Corporation has produced
a new dot matrix printer, Model 170. The Inter-
face includes a Centronics-type handshake and
DB-25 interface connector, Baudot, and day —
and time clock. The Model 170 provides 18 or
21 characters per line, 6 lines per inch print
density, on standard 2V2" adding machine tape.
Designed to use with personal computers,
Model 170 will produce hard and carbonless
copies of programs, data or results. Write
Addmaster Corporation, 416 Junipero Serra Dr.,
San Gabriel, CA 91776 or call 213/285-1121.

Circle 188 on Inquiry card.

Circle 32 on Inquiry card.

Circle 11 on Inquiry card.

Dysan

^CORPORATION

Solve your daac problem, buy 100% Mfact

from »tock. wWifci 24 houra. CD. toB FHEE
(800) 235-4137 far price, and hfamMtton,

VIM «nd MMter Card accepted

PACIFIC
EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd.
San Luis Obispo. CA
93401. (InCal. call
(805) 543-1037.)

LOOK!

SYSTEMS

Dec Rainbow 100

$3345

CompuPro 816A

3927

MD2 w/terminal

1442

LTR QLTY PRINTER

Daisywriter 2000

$1042

Nee 3550

1065

Qume Sprint 11/40 1335

Juki

-call-

DOT MATRIX PRINTERS

C. Itoh 8510 AP

$386

Epson FX.MX.RX

-call-

Okidata 92

442

Gemini 1C

, 15

-call-

1800 HOBBIE LANE,

UJC3

COMPUTERS

Prlcas Subject To

SANTA MSA,

Change Without

L=i (7C

7)544-53

04 Jj

■■J^ VISA • MASTERCA

RD Jfk

Tektronix 40XX
Terminal Emulation

EMU-TEK™ IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR
IBM PC, XT, AND MOST COMPATIBLES

• Access powerful mainframe graphics using:
—PLOT 10 (trademark of TEKTRONIX, Inc.)
— DISPLA (registered trademark of ISSC0)
— DARC (available from QUESTEL, Inc.)
— and most similar packages and services.

• Upgrade with complete software compatibility.

• Increase versatility with options such as:
— High resolution board support

— Local pen-plotter support
— Hard copy on matrix printer
— Advanced communications program features
—Other terminal emulations, including:
— VT100 (trademark Digital Equipment Corp.)
—RETRO-GRAPHICS (trademark Digital
Engineering, inc.)

• 30 DAY NO-RISK TRIAL PRIVILEGE.

lOSOt DaleSt./PO. Box 615
Stanlon. CA 90680

(f) <\ FTG)

Cr^J ( DATA SYSTEMS <714> 995-3900

FTG will soon become PC INNOVATIONS

Circle 334 on inquiry card.

Circle 454 on inquiry card.

Circle 165 on Inquiry card.

FAST

Factory
Floppy Disc
Drive
Repair

Specialists in the repair of:

Shugart
Tandon
PerSci
PerSci, Inc.

12624 Daphne Avenue
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(213) 777-7536
TWX 910-321-4448

C LANGUAGE
PROGRAMMERS

c-ayatama
C COMPILER

c-window™

The complete c language source level

program testing and debugging tool.

• Single step by c source line.

• Set breakpoints at line numbers.

• Display and alter variables by symbol
name, using c expression syntax.

• No more prlntf or assembler level
debugging!

c-window™ is a support package for
the c-eyetem. C COMPILER for

8086/8088 based systems.

Contact:
c-ey«t»m»
P.O. Box 3253

TM c-systems

Fullerton.CA 92634
714-637-5362

S-100 EPROM PROGRAMMER

EPROM-32

■ High quality S-100 Board meets or exceeds IEEE-696.

• Programs 1K through 32K (byte) EPROMs.

• Textool zero-insertion-lorce programming socket.

■ EPROM is programmed through I/O ports and can be verified
through I/O ports or located in memory space For verification.

• Programming voltage generated on-board.

• Personality Modules simplify adaptation of board to different
EPROM types:

PM-1 -2508,2758 PM-3-2732. 2732A PM-6-68764

2516,2716 PM-4-2564
PM-2-2532 PM-S-2764

■ CP/M-compatible control software
includes commands for programming,
verification, disk I/O and editing.

PM-8-27128

$269.95 *

(AST)

MUfoDynomlci

Corporation

ORDER DESK
1-800-237-8400 Bit 440

Technical Inquiries

6363 Poplar Ave • Suite 105 ,gni 1-682-4054

Memphis. TN 38119

Trice includes EPROM-32, documentation and two Personality
Modules (specify). Additional Modules— $7.95. Control software
on 8" SSSD diskette- S9.95.UPSPround-S2.00, UPS air—
J4.00, C0D-S1.50, foreign add $15.00, TN add 6% sales tax.
VISA and MASTERCARD welcome.

Circle 344 on inquiry card.

Circle 57 on inquiry card.

Circle 292 on inquiry card.

TOLL-FREE

ORDERING:

800-222-8686

PPT CUSTOM COMPUTER
Ull I TECHNOLOGY

FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT/ 1 CRAFTSMAN COURT - BOX 4160 - SEDONA, ARIZONA 86340

SERVICE / IN ARIZONA:
602-282-6299

Purchase your Hardware and Software directly from an OEM/Systems Integrator. Take advantage of our buying power! We
stock a full line of Board Level Components, Software, and Peripherals. Call for your needs. We'll give you the Lowest
Prices, and the Technical Support and Know-How we are quickly becoming well-known for. Satisfied Customers Nation-
wide! The Nations's Custom Systems House for Business, Education and Science. Call for a system quote.

FOREMOST QUALITY • ADVANCED SUPPORT • REASONABLE COST

OF PRIME INTEREST

Our prime interest at CCT is service and
support. We build and sell hundreds of
systems per year to the serious computer
market. We rigidly adhere to our strict
policy of reliable machines, and reliable
people behind them. We feel the Com-
puPro product line to be the state-of-the-
art of the computer industry.

THE CCT EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY

With any system we build, we provide,
in writing, an unconditional 12 month
direct warranty on the entire system, in-
cluding mainframe, boards, drives, power
supplies, cabling and peripherals! We of-
fer guaranteed 24 hour in-house repair
and/or replacement with just a toll-free
phone call. We can offer this, since we are
so sure of our level of quality and reliabili-
ty. It's great to know that in the event of a
problem, you're not out of business
waiting on service turnaround . We deliver!

Our various OEM contracts with all the
manufacturers of the components we in-
tegrate, allow us this unprecedented flex-
ibility. No factory O.K.'s necessary — just
get it running — NOWI

Wyse 100 terminal - 14" Green . . . $699

WS Prom Option - Installed $50

Mitsubishi 8" DSDD drives, full or half
height. Set-up FREE OF CHARGE .. $449

0kidata82 $389/83 $619

84 .. $1029/92 .. $469/93 .. $779
Ashton-TatedBASEII8'orMD ...$299
Supercalc86-forCP/M86 4MP/M .$99

Visual Terminals in stock Call

LearSieglerADM20 $499

Freedom 50 $499/ 100-$549

Hays Modem-$259 • Diablo 620-$1029
We carry a full line of software in all
available formats at discount prices.

TECH TIP CORNER

dBASE II USERS - CUSTOM TERMINAL
KEYS! Implement your arrow keys;
emulate Wordstar edit commands - send
an SASE with $2.00 - (ATTN: TTC). Tell us
your arrow key codes. We'll return easy,
detailed instructions to change almost
anything. It's beautiful — Pat...

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL BUSINESS SYSTEMS

STATE-OF-THE-ART QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY

CCT ANNOUNCES:

mnuuui/ium rmn

$3,399

OUR OWN IN-HOUSE ENGINEERED
CUSTOM COMPUPRO SYSTEMS

CCT-1 - ENTRY LEVEL S*100 BUSINESS SYSTEM

• Enclosure 2-Desk-20 Slot Mainframe • • CCT 2.4 Dual 8" Mitsubishi

• CPU 8085/88 - 6Mhz 8085/8Mhz 8088 • DSDD Drive System - 2.4 Megabytes • yfOWfMJCHJSiV s iMk-.:

• Disk 1 - DMA Floppy Disk Controller • • CP/M 80 - 2.2 LD/M - CCT Modified •

• RAM 16 - 64K Static RAM - 12 Mhz • • All Cabling, Complete CCT Assembly,

• Interfacer 4 - 3 Serial/2 Parallel I/O • Testing, and Minimum 20 Hour Burn-in •

RUNS ALL STANDARD 8" CP/M SOFTWARE - INCLUDES OUR EXCLUSIVE 12 MONTH DIRECT WARRANTY
CP/ M MP/ M NOTE: Each copy we furnish is CCT modified for the target system. M-Drive/ H and hard disk drivers are furnished,
and the BIOS optimized for the fastest disk step rate, as well as terminal and printer compatibility.

• • CCT-2- THE FASTEST MICROCOMPUTER IN THE WORLDII * *

Enclosure 2-Desk • 90K Baud Parallel Terminal Board • 78 Key Professional Ergonomic Keyboard
CPU8086-10Mhz • Disk 1 • 512KM-Drive/H • High Resolution Amber Monitor. INTRODUCTORY PRICE:
128K- 16 Bit Memory • CP/ M 86 - CCT Modified • CCT 2.4 Dual DSDD Drive System
lnterfacer3-8 • SS1 • All Cabling, CompleteCCT Assembly, Testing, & Minimum 20 Hour Burn-in

RUNS ALL CP/M 86 SOFTWARE • ULTRA FAST - INCLUDES 12 MONTH DIRECT WARRANTY
* * CCT-3- IQMIum System similar to above, with 128K RAM $6,B99 * *

We are the largest in the custom configuration of complete state-of-the-art S-100 systems, at package pricing, with integration,
burn-in and programming. We custom build CompuPro systems / hard disk systems for business applications. Call for Com-
puPro literature, CCT system configuration data and technical information. We can save you money!

* SUPER PRICES* COMPUPRO COMPONENTS * IN STOCK *

SYSTEM SPECIALS -ALL CCT A4T, BURNED IN: 816A-J4299 816B-W999 816C-S6499

M-Drive CP/M-Blowout-$39 • Disk1w/CP/M-$449 • M-Drive/ H-512K-S1149

CPU 8085/88-5319 • CPU8086/87-$579/10Mhz-$659 • CPU68K-$519/10Mhz-$639 • CPU-Z-$249

CPU286-$1249/10Mhz-$1359 • Disk 1-5369 • Disk 2-$S99 • Disk 3-$599

RAM17(12Mhz)-$329 • RAM 16(12Mhz)-$359 • RAM 21 (128K)-$779 • RAM 22 (256K)-$1399

Interfacer 1 -$229 • Interfacer 2-$249 • lnterfacer3-5-$399/3-8-$459 • Interfacer 4-$349

System Support 1-$299 • Enclosure 2-Desk-$599/Rack-$649 • 20 Slot Motherboard-$210

CP/M80-$99 • CP/M86-$150 • MP/M8-16-S699 • CP/M68K-$279 • UNIX -SOON

86 Upgrade Kit: Consists of CP/ M 86, 64K Ram, System Support 1 , Cable - $749
Call tor CSC Boards — New Releases — Operating System Mods/Updates

$6,799

* PRICE BREAKTHROUGH *
Hard Disk Subsystems

CCT/Fujitsu 5V subsystem, includes Disk 3, custom
enclosure & power supply, all cabling, A&T, formated,
burned-in. Ready for any CompuPro or similar S-100
system: CCT-5(5.5Meg)-$1599

CCT-10(11Meg)-$1899 / CCT-20(22Meo>$2299

? ? HARD DISK DECISIONS ? ?

Hard/Floppy Combinations

An exclusive CCT innovation. CCT/ Fujitsu/ Mitsubishi
ultra-system: 5V4" hard disk next to a 1.2 Meg. DSDD
8" floppy. Includes Disk 3, custom horizontal enclosure
and power supply, all cabling, A&T, formatted, burned-
in. Will stand alone in any CompuPro system:
CCT-5/1-$2099 CCT-10/1-S2399 CCT-20/1-S2799

NEW DISK 3/5V4" HD SYSTEMS *
2.4 Megabyte Floppy Systems

CCT/ Mitsubishi 2.4 Megabyte Dual DSDD 8" system.
Includes custom horizontal enclosure, all cabling, A&T,
burned-in. This is the fastest system available: $1149
With stacked half-height drives: $1175

All Systems Carry Our Exclusive 12 Month Warranty.

Prices & availability subject to change. All products new, and carry full manufacturer's warranties. Call for catalog. Free technical help to anyone. We can configure boards & soft-
ware for your system. Plug-in and go. Arizona Residents add sales tax. CompuPro" Trademark — W.J. Godbout; CP/M" MP/M* Trademarks — Digital Research

Circle 130 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

615

STUFF YOUR STOCKINGS
WITH 3M SCOTCH
BRAND DISKETTES,

FROM
MY Supplier, inc\

WE HAVE ALL YOUR COMPUTER
SUPPLY NEEDS

• Diskettes Storage Equipment

• Ribbons, Printwheels & Binders

• And Now.. .Color Coder Plus

C.O.D.

SO EASY TO ORDER
CALL TOLL FREE

800-44B-4016
IN C A 800-556.6786

MY Supplier, inc.

COMPUTER & WORD PROCESSING SUPPLIES

348 N. MOORPARK ROAD

THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91360

Serial 4 ■■•'"H ■ "► Parallel

PRINTERSI
PLOTTERS!
PUNCHES!
ROBOTS!

Convert What You Have
To What You Want I

* RS232 Serial ' Centronics Parallel
' 8 BlUd Rites ' Handshake Slflnala

* Latched Outputs ' Compact 3v; x *% x 1)f

No longer will your peripheral choices be limited by the type
of port you have avallablel Our new High Performance 700
Series Converters provide the missing link. Based on the
latest In CMOS technology, these units feature full baud
rate selection to 19.2K, with handshake signals to maximize
transfer efficiency. Detailed documentation allows
simplified installation. Order the Model 770 (Ser/Par) or
Model 775 (Par/Ser) Today!

M

only'89.'

IBdl-BPIrMSlrM,

^0.1 Offlc Box mi
O.n.ri). C.lltuml.9W*

Connector Option now
CA fU.W.m. BV. t»
UPS Shipping (3.00

CALL (805) 487-1665 or 487-1666
For FAST Delivery

FOR USE WITH MOST MICRO COMPUTERS

APPLE ATARI COMMADORl TEXAS IHSTRUHSMTS TRS-SO ...

f J PAYMENT ENCLOSED $_

• Add

$l 00 per order for postage and handling Out
side USA add $2.50 per unit ordered, send US
funds only □ Visa □ MasierCard

P.O. BOX 7008
ROSEVILLE. Ml 48305
1-800-732-0614

lr>

I VI NOUN

>■ phoomi-s

Michigan Rasidsnts Add 4%

Circle 308 on Inquiry card.

Circle 175 on inquiry card.

SUPER-FAST!

Relocating Macro

ASSEMBLER
$169.95

Directly generates COM, HEX, or REL files.
Flexible REL format allows external oytes and
words with complete math operations on them
(Microsoft format optional). Features Zilog
mnemonics with nested macros, conditionals
and include files. Unique one-pass design
generates compact intermediate code which is
then processed to resolve forward references.
yielding tremendous time savings. Complete
listing, symbol table and cross-reference output
may be sent to any device. The perfect tool for
assembly language programming. Linker in-
cluded. Manual only — S30. For Z80 CP/M and
TRS-80.

' L R Systems-

1*33 NORTH MAIN ST. • BUTLER. PA 16001 • (412) 2S3-OS64

ShtppmgSSU s i
zm CP M TRS-

r. 57 PA ' 6% ClmcK. MO, VISA M COO 0
Dealoi and OEM inquiries invited
MsijIZilog nigil.il R(!searr:h Tandy Corp

Heath
Users

Double Your
5l/A" disk storage
capacity without adding a drive.

Get twice as much from your H88 or
H89 microcomputer. Our FDC-880H
floppy disk controller, in conjunction
with your 5%" drives, for example,
expands memory capacity from 256
bytes to 512 bytes per sector.

And it handles single and double-
sided, single and double-density, 8" and
5'/," drives — simultaneously.

Ol

C.D.R. Syatamt Inc.

Controlled Data Recording Systems Inc.

7210 CUlrmont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92111

(619) 560-1272

Printer Cables

Parallel —

&

.00*

*J5

.00*

ALTOS

ATTACHE

ATARI

CENTRONICS

COLUMBIA

EAGLE

IBM- PC

KAYPRO

OSBORNE

SANYO

TI-99

$3*

00*

*3s

— SERIAL —

ATTACHE COM .

RS232 (DB25P)

(9 conductor 1-8, 20)

CABLES UNLIMITED

40.30 Wabaska Dr.

San Diego, CA 92107

619-222-3366

00*

Circle 390 on Inquiry card.

Circle 62 on inquiry card.

Circle 461 on Inquiry card.

\ferbatim

flexible disks

Call Free (800) 235-4137 for

prices and information. Dealer
inquiries invited. C.O.D. and
charge cards accepted.

VISA'

PACIFIC
EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd.
San Luis Obispo, CA
93401. In Cal. call
(800) 592-5935 or
(805) 543-1037.

When It cornea to quality software
for microsystems, DYNACOMP delivers:

STOCK MASTER (APPLE): $59.95

The Systems ... Apple Atari Canon Commodore
Compustar CP/M Franklin H/Z-100
IBM PC Kaypro Morrow NEC North Star
Osborne SuparSrain Timex TRS-80

The Software ...

CARD OAME6 EDUCATION

HOME FINANCE INVESTING
TAX PLANNINO UTILITIES

Name brand dlaketf.ee: S19.SS/10 {SS, SO w/huo ring),
tncludea FFtEE plaillc etorege box. Add 12.00 .nipping.

CALL OR WRITE FOR A FREE CATALOG

DYNACOMP, INC.

1427 Monroe Avenue, Rocheeter, N.Y. 14618

Telephone: (716)442-8960

ADVENTURE BUSINESS

ENGINEERING GAMES

LANGUAGES SCIENCE

| The Statistician |

CPM IBM-PC
TRS-DOS XENIX

" Multiple Regression " Survey Research
Stepwise * Nonparametrics
Ridge * X-Y Plots
All Subsets * ANOVA
Backward Elimination " Random Samples

* Time Series Analysis " Data Base

* Descriptive Statistics " Search & sort

* Transformations " Hypothesis tests

Please call TOLL FREE
1-800-334-0854 (Ext. 814)

flj ^L for more information
^t ^L or write:
H Quant Systems
V W Box 628

^^j(t_ Charleston, SC 29402
^■^^^ VISA-M/C Accepted

Circle 334 on inquiry card.

Circle 160 on inquiry card.

Circle 359 on inquiry card.

WE'RE GROWING

OUR SALTIEST DEAL

TRADE YOUR SV*" DRIVE

SGL SIDE/DBL DEN FOR DBL SIDE/
DBL DEN DRIVE $75.00 ALLOWANCE

DBL SIDE/DBL DEN FOR 2 EA

1/2 HGT DBL SIDE/DBL DEN DRIVES

$175.00 ALLOWANCE

IBM ACCESSORIES

AST

Six Pak Plus (Serial/Par/CLK 64K Expands to 384K) . . 299.00

Meg-A-Plus (Serial/CLK/64K Expands to 256K) 299.00

Meg-A-Pak (Expands Meg-A-Plus to 512K) 299.00

I/O Plus (SP) 149.00

PC-Net (with Shared User Software) 556.00

PC-Net Starter Kit 1,192.00

AST-5251 (Allows connection of IBM PC to System

340038) 626.50

MANY OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

ASHTONTATE

D-Base II 400.00

Bottom Line Strategist 279.00

Financial Planner 499.00

Friday 189.00

DOW JONES

Dow Jones Invest/Evaluator 125.X

D.C. HAYES

Smartmodem1200B-Smartcom 2 software included . 429.00
Smartcom 2-Telecomputive for 300/1 200 on disk 89.00

LOTUS DEVELOPMENT

Lotus 1-2-3(ondisk) 369.00

KRAFT

Joy Slick 47.50

Paddle(pair) 37.00

KEYTRONICS

Enhance your PC-with a superior keyboard 210.00

MAYNARD

Floppy Controller 155.00

Floppy Controller (Serial) 225.00

Floppy Controller (PAR) 205.00

Sandstar MOD-FDC
MODULAR (for 5 '/."or 8" drives) . . . 200.00

ADD-ONS FOR Pararrel MOD 60.00

SANDSTAR Serial-MOD 79.00

MOD-FDC Clock Calendar MOD 69.00

Qame Adapter MOD 49.00

Sandstar Multi-Function Bd (Holds up to
6 modular add-ons 82.00

PLANTRONICS COLOR PLUS

Color + Color Display Card (16 colors) 495.00

PRINCETON GRAPHICS

PGS HX12Hi-Res Color, The Best 475.00

QUADRAM

Ouadlink— Allows Apple Software to be used in IBM

PC HAS 64K Ram-Game Port Display Gen-Disk

Intf. w/software 520.00

Quadboard 2— 64K Ram (expands to 256K) 2 Ser Port

CLK and software 289.00

Quadboard — 64K (expands to 256K) Par and Serial Port

CLK and software 289.00

Quad 512 — 64 Ram (expands to 512K) Serial Port and

software 259.00

Quadchrome — Color Monitor 489.00

Tilt Table 40.00

Chronograph Clk/Calendar BD 79.00

SHUGART DISK DRIVES

SA455L-1/2 HGT 320 K DS/DD w/BRKTS 239.00 ea.

440.00 for 2 ea.

TANDON DISK DRIVES

TM100-2A 320K DS/DD 225.00

TM55-2 1/2 HGT 320 K DS/DD w/BRKTS 249.00 ea.

440.00 for 2

1 TOLL FREE

1-800-545-2633
CONTINENTAL U.S.

Circle 204 on inquiry card.

APPLE/FRANKLIN ACCESSORIES

ALS

CPM 3.0 Card 289.00

Z-Card II 139.00

ASHTONTATE

D-Base II 400.00

ALSTAR

RF Modulator 19.00

DOW JONES
Dow Jones InvesUEvaluator 125.00

GENERIC

2-80 Card (Emulates Micro-Soft) 99.00

80 Col. Video (Videx Compatible) 99.00

80 Col. Video w/Soft Switch 125.00

Joy Stick 20.00

E-Prom Writer 79.00

Pararell Interface 49.00

Pararell Interface w/Graphics 65.00

16K Ram Card 40.00

RF Modulator 13.00

HAYES

Micro-Modem II 259.00

Micro-Model II w/terminal package 279.00

KENSINGTON

System Saver/Fan & Surge Pro 75.00

KOALA TECH

Koala Gr/Tablet w/Software 99.00

KRAFT

Joystick for II E 44.00

LOTUS DEVELOPMENT

Executive Briefing System 139.00

MICRO-MAX

View Max 80 (80 Col for II +) 139.00

View Max 80E (80 Col w/64K Memory Exp to 128K) . . . 129.00

MICROTEK

Dumpling 64K/lnterface and Graphics 64K Buffer . . . 235.00

Dumpling GX-P/Par Interface Card and Cable 99.00

Parallel Interface Board (RV611C) 61.00

BAM 16 (16K Add-on Memory) 45.00

NOVATION

Apple Cat II w/software 269.00

212 Apple Cat 625.00

Handset -29.00

ORANGE MICRO

GrapplerX & Graphics INterface 121.00

Grappler + 16K Buffer (Exp. and 5 to 64K) 179.00

PRINCETON GRAPHICS

Interface Card allows use of HX12Color Monitor. . . . 156.00

OUADRAM

RAM 80— 80 Col 64K card 119.00

APIC— Par Intf. card 60.00

APIC/G— Par Intf. w/Graphics 65.00

CPI— 8' Cable (APIC to Cen. Printer) 34.00

APIC III— Par Printer Intf. for Apple w/8' Cable 95.00

TG PRODUCTS

Joystick— For Apple II + 38.00

Paddles 29.00

Selecta Port 38.00

VIDEX

Ultraterm 289.00

Videterm 249.00

VISTA

A800 Floppy Controller for 8" Drives 300.00

A-800-1 Cable 27.00

^yv^v

The Great Salt Lake

Computer Company, Inc.

1-801-363-3314

ATARI

KRAFT

Joy Stick 15.00

PERCOM
AT 88 SS/DD Disk Drive w/Printer Port 499.00

RANA
Rana 1000— SS/DD Disk Drive 379.00

TRAK
AT-D2 SS/DD Disk Drive 379.00

STAR

StarGemini Interface to VIC 20 + CMD64 65.00

DOW JONES
Dow Jones Invest/Evaluator 125.00

KRAFT
Joy Stick 15.00

KOALA
Koala GR/Tablet w/software (specify VIC20 or CMD64) 99.00

COMMODORE

KAPRO II — IV

Sprinter K (5MHZ Speed-up) 99.00

K-Clock (Batt Backup Clk/Cal) 99.50

Video Output BD-<allows use of video monitor) 125.00

Kaypro II Upgrade Disk Drives (DS/DD) 239.00

(Trade In Allowance $75 for SS/DD Drive)

TIPROFESSIONAL

Lotus 1-2-3 369.00

OUADRAM

TI-64 64K Ram Card 206.00

TI-92 192K Ram Card 319.00

IBM UP-GRADE
KIT

INCLUDES 9 EA. 4164-

200NS FOR EXPANSION

ON ALL IBM

PRODUCTS WITH

PARITY

$55.00/per set

Retail Sales

123 East 200 South

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Retail Hours

Monday-Friday 10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM

OUR CUSTOMERS ARE

MINIMUM SHIPPING $3.00 - NO SURCHARGE ON VISA/MASTERCARD

TOLL FREE 1-800-545-2633 ■ Continental U.S.

DISK DRIVES

DISK DRIVE CABINETS DISK SUB ASSEMBLY

SHUGART

5Vi" SA400(35TR) 160K 150.00

5V." SA400L(40TR) 190 K 189.00

5 V. " SA455L (40 TR) 320 K Vi HGT . . 235.00

8"SA801R(SS/DD)600K 359.00

8" SA851R(DS/DD) 1.2 MG 479.00

QUME

5Vi" 142(40TR)320K V4 HGT 239.00

8" DT8(842) 490.00

MITSUBISHI

5V4" M-4853 Vi size 410.00

96 TPI same as TM 10O-4

M-2894-63(SS/DD)220V 449.00

8" M-289&63 399.00

Thinllne 8" DS/DD 1.2 MG

8" M-2894-63(110V) 389.00

STD 8" DS/DD 1.2 MG

AC SURGE ELIMINATORS

Grizzly (200W) uninterruptible power

system + surge protection . . 750.00
Grizzly (500W) uninterruptible power

system + surge protection . 1,802.00
Hawk AC power monitor w/surge

protection 160.41

Lemon (6AC outlets-3 prong) 44.00

Lime (5'-3 prong pwr cord w/on-off

switch 89.00

Orange-AC surge + EMI filter (6

outlets) 95.00

Peach (3 outlets) 69.00

8"DSC B8-2SKT-for 2-8" drvs

w/skt. conn 20.00

5Vi"DSC55-2SKT-for 1-5'/<"

dvs w/skt. conn 20.00

RS232MM-5' (male to male) 19.00

IBM to PAR 32.00

Osborne to PAR 32.00

Kaypro to PAR 32.00

OKI-Data Serial 24.00

QUV-T8/1H (hobby) 49.95

QUV-T8/2I (Industrial version) ..... 68.95
QUV-T8/2P (w/timer & satety switch) 97.50

CDC

5V«" 9409-DS/DD 259.00

TANDON

5V«"TM100-1 SS/DD 160K 150.00

5'/< " TM100-2A FOR IBM-PC . . . 225.00
DS/DD (320 K)

TM101-4(96TPI Quad Den) 339.00

8" TM848-2 (DS/DD) 1.2 MG 400.00

SIEMAN'S

8" FD1003 (SS/DD) 110V/801 R) \169.00

8" FD1008 (SS/DD) 220v\compatlble/l99.00

MPI

5 M " B-51 4077) SS/DD 180 K 145.00

CONNECTORS

RS232 Connectors

SOLDER TYPE

DB25P 2.50

DB25S 3.00

DB25 Hood 1.00

S-100 Connectors 10lor25.00

DE9P 2.00

8" CABINETS

8" DDC88V28 w/PS vertical

for 2-8" drives 269.00

8" DDC88T-1 w/PS vertical-for 2

or 4-8" thinline drives 269.00

8" DDC88T-2 w/PS vertical for 2

8" thinline drives 200.00

8" DDC8H w/PS horizontal for

1 ea. 8" drive 249.00

8" DDCBV w/PS vertical for 1

8" drive 249.00

8" DDC88H w/PS horizontal

for 2-8" drives 269.00

5'/." CABINETS

5V«" DDC5H w/PS horizontal-for
1-5V." drive 55.00

5V<" DDC5V w/PS vertical-for
1 ea. 5V«" drive 65.00

5V«" DDC55V w/PS vertical-for
2-5% drives 85.00

DISKETTES

»%

OUR BEST BUY'S

8" SUB ASSEMBLY

DDS + O 2EA SS/DD Siemens FD100-8
Drives w/Cabinet 595.00

DDS +2 2EA DS/DD Mitsubishi
M2894-63 w/cabinet 1,075.00

DDS +4 2EA DS/DD 8" Thinline

Drives w/Cabinet 1,150.00

Specify — Vertical or Horizontal Cabinet

5'/-" SUB ASSEMBLY

DDS + 5 1 EA SS/DD Disk Drive 200.00

DDS + 6 2EA SS/DD Disk Drive 369.00

*Hayes Smart 300 199.00

*Hayes Smart 1200 499.00

Multi-Tech MT 212 AD (1200/300) .... 499.00

Novation J-Cat 300 119.00

U.S. Robotics 212A Auto Dial 469.00

*U.S. Robotics (300/1200) 375.00

VIDEO DISPLAY MONITORS

5V4" Soft Sector SS/DD 18.00/10

FOR APPLE, ETC.

51/4" Soft Sector DS/DD 24.00/10

FOR IBM PC & PARTNERS
FOR QTY OF 100 (15% DISCOUNT)

,A " ;

DATA CABLES

DISKETTE STORAGE

AA-5V« (Holds 82 Disks) 17.00

AA-8 (Holds 82 Disks) 26.00

Smoked Plexiglass Disk Tubs
LIBRARY CASES
CAS-5V4 " Colors Available; color burs! asst., 2.50

CAS-8" . beige, black, blue. red. gray 3,00

Color Burst (Pack of 5) 12.00

FLIP "N" RLE

Flip"N" File 25-5'/. "(holds 25) w/lock .21.00

50-5V4 (holds 50) w/lock 27.95

Flip "N" File "Original-5" (holds 50) ... 21.00

Flip "N" File "Original 8" (holds 50) . . . 29.95

DISKETTES

Diskettes are 3m media/processed,

Cackaged and certified by CENTECH.
Ifetlme
warranty— 5 colors In each pkg. (Red,
Yellow, Blue, Green, Brown)

5V<" Sgl side/dbl den 22.00/10

5V<"Dbl side/dbl den 29.00/10

5V4" 10 sector 24.00/10

5V4" 16 sector 24.00/10

8" Sgl side/dbl den 30.00/10

8" Dbl side/dbl den 40.00/10

AMBER

Dynax AM121 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/BO Col/12" 139.00

USI PI-4 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/80 Col/9" 139.00

USI PI-3(20 MHZ) Hi-Res/80 Col/12" 149.00

■jlf Zenith ZM122 (18 MHZ) Hi-Res/80 Col/12" . 119.00

COLOR

Amdek 1-12" Composite (For Apple) 260.00

Amdek ll-12"-RGB (For IBM-PC) w/audlo. . 469.00

Amdek I + Composite w/audio 289.00

BMC 9191-12" Composite(For Apple) 255.00

Princeton HX-12-RGB (For IBM-PC) 475.00

Sakata SC-100-13" Composite (For All). . . 260.00
SakataSC-200-RGB(ForAII) 489.0G

GREEN

BMC 12AU (15 MHZ) 80 Col/12" 80.0C

Dynax GM 120 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/80

Col/12" 129.0C

Sanyo DM 21 12 (15 MHZ) 64 Col/12" 80.00

Sakata SC-1000 (18 MHZ) 80 Col/12" 119.00

USI PI-1 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/9" 129JX)

USI PI-2 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/12" 139.00

S-100 PRODUCTS

CARD CAGES/MOTHER BOARDS

'IEEE-696-No termination required

w/card bare card

Slots Bare Bd

A + T cage cage

4 15.00

40.00 60.00 20.00

6 20.00

48.00 70.00 22.00

8 25.00

69.00 100.00 31.00

12 30.00

99.00 140.00 41.00

18 45.00

150.00 200.00 50.00

22 60.00

185.00 — 75.00

All card cages

will accommodate a 4" fan

Add $20.00 for 1 fan-Add $30.00 for 2 fans

MAINFRAMES

For 2 Standard 8" Drives

MF+DD6(6slotM/B)

MF+DD8(8slotM/B)

MF + DD12(12slotM/B)

SIERRA DATA

575.00

625.00
675.00

For 2 Thinllne 8" Drives

IMF+DD6F 350.00

fl>

CLOCK/CALENDAR

S-100»Time in hrs., min., sec.»AM/PM or
Military Format«Date in Mo., Day, Yr.,
Day of Week & Leap Year recognition^
hard interrupts (1024 Hz, 1 Hz, 1 min, 1
hr)»On board battery (will last 14 mos.
w/no power on)

QTC-CCS-BB (S-100) 45.00

QTC-CCS-A (A + T) for S-100 95.00

For 2-5 Vi" Disk Drives

MF+MD12(12slotM/B) 560.00

Standard Plain Front

MF+12(12slotM/B) 499.00

MF + 22(22slotM/B) 550.00

All mainframes except IMF + DD6F have EMI filter, 2 AC outlets, 15
ea. DB25, 2 ea. 50 pin, 2 ea. 34 pin, 1 ea. Centronlc cutouts, power
supply for 6" MF ( - 5V1 A/ + 5V6A/ + 8V16A/ ± 16V3A/ + 24V6A)

COMPUTIME/QT BARE BOARD SET

PN-2048 Best Bare Board Set Available

QTC-SBC 2/4 CPU (SBC 880)

QTC-EXP + III 256K (CT256) Memory bd./

Expandable to 1MG
QTC-FDC 5/8 Floppy disk controller

CUSTOMER SERVICE
JOHN PIZZELLO

1-801-363-3317

Circle 205 on inquiry card.

Bare Board Set $150.00

1) Includes manuals & assembly instructions

2) Parts available

3) Monitor & B10S available. Add $30.00.

_^V*v

SDS-SBC.100.Z80 (4mhz) master 2

serial 2 par/floppy controller/64k

ram $655.00

SDS-SBC-100S4mhs slave/2 serial 2

par/64k ram $565.00

SDS-ZSIO/4-4 serial port I/O

bd $250.00

SDS-MUX-RS232 multiplexer

bd $235.00

SDS-HDI-M-Hard disk bd for

micropolis $129.00

SDS-CPM/B105-cp/m for SBC100

w/BIOS $150.00

SDS-Turbodos-Multi-user for master &

slaves $645.00

20 Slot MB 225.00

CPU 8085/88 349.00

CPU 8086/8087 550.00

Disk I 399.00

CPM 2.2 for Disk I 150.00

Disk II 610.00

Ram 16-64K 325.00

Ram17-64K 299.00

Ram21-128K 650.00

Interfacer 1 198.00

CPU/MEM/I/O

QTC-SBC 2/4 SB (SBC880) . . . $50.00

QTC-SBC 2/4 A A + T

(SBC880) $265.00

QTC-Z + 80BB(BIGZ) $28.00

DYNAMIC (64Ky256K or 1 MEG)

QTC-EXP + III Bare Bd. (CT256) $75.00

QTC-EXP + III 64K A + T

(CT256) $375.00

QTC-I/O + BB 2 SER 2

PAflA + T $75.00

QTC-I/O + A + T $300.00

QTC-ADA ADA Converter

A + T $400.00

QTC-Dual GPIB-488 IEEE 488

Interlace bd. $795.00

Interfacer 2 249.00

Interfacer 3 515.00

Interfacer 4 314.00

System Support I 308.00

Active Terminator 65.00

Enclosure 2 (Desk) 725.00

Enclosure 2 (Rack MT) . . . . 775.00

CPU-Z 228.00

M-Drive H 1,229.00

6 Slot MB 125.00

12SlotMB 155.00

CPU68K 510.00

The Great Salt Lake
Computer Company, Inc.

1-801-363-3314

Retail Sales

123 East 200 South L"~
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Retail Hours

Monday-Friday 10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM

OUR PRIORITY ONE

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS SAVE 6% SALES TAX

8 YEARS(1976) EXPERIENCE IN COMPUTER MAIL ORDER BUSINESS

ALPHACOM

40 or 80 COL.

• 80CPS

• FULL CHARACTER SETS

• GRAPHICS

• LIGHT WT. 4 TO 6 LBS.

• FRICTION FEED

ALPHACOM 42 (40 col) _ 101.00

ALPHACOM 81 (80col) 149.00

INTERFACE for ATARI, COMMODORE,

anrJTI 39.00

40 COL PAPER (per roll) 2.80

80 COL. PAPER (per roll) 4.50

BMC

PB101 16CPS, 2K Buffer, Par 649.00

PB104 Silver Reed Look-Alike 599.00

BROTHER

HR-1A17CPS Daisywheel 3K Buff 575.00

HR-1 A 17 CPS Daisywheel 3K Buff 589.00

CENTRONICS

351P— 200CPS, Par 100CPSCORR 1,795.00

6085P-6O0CPS. Par w/cabinet 6,500.00

6085S— 600CPS, Serial w/cabinet 7,000.00

6085IBM— 600CPS w/cabinet 7,500.00

358 3 or 4 Automatic cut sheet feeder 695.00

COMREX

CR-2 12 CPS, 5K Buffer 499.00

DATA-SOUTH

DS 180 180CPS/Serial or Par/Tractor 1,400.00

DAISYWRITER

Daisywriter2000-48KBuffer/20T040CPSLTR/Par . . 1,050.00
Daisywriter Cable 40.00

PRINTER ACCESSORIES

DIABLO

Diablo 620-Uni-Direct Tractor 110.00

Diablo 620-Sheet Feeder 720.00

Diablo 630-Bi-Direct Tractor 275.00

Diable 630-Tractor Sound Cover 29.00

Diablo 630-SGL Sheet Feeder 775.00

JUKI-6100

Serial Interface 55.00

Bi-Dir Tractor 120.00

Uni-Dir Tractor 90.00

MANNESMAN-TALLY

Factory Quick Tear 230.00

Auto Front Feed 1,150.00

NEC

Thimbles 15.00

Vertical Tractor 219.00

Horizontal 152.00

Bi-Dir. Tractor 330.00

Cut Sheet Feeder 1,100.00

OKI-DATA

84 Cut Sheet Feeder 515.00

82/92 Tractor 55.00

Serial Intf. w/2K Buffer (For 82A) 125.00

Serial Intf. w/2K Buffer (For 92 & 93) 110.00

Okigraph I 82A or 83A Graphics ROM 40.00

Okigraph II 82A or 83A Disk for Apple 55.00

STAR-MICRONICS

Serial Intf. Bd 70.00

Serial Intf. Bd w/2K Buffer 120.00

Commodore 64 Intf. Bd 72.00

TOSHIBA

P-1350 Cut Sheet Feeder 800.00

P-1350 Bi-Dir. Tractor 210.00

Vista Solo (35TR) 199.00

Micro-Sci A-2 (35TR) 225.00

Micro-Sci A-40 (40TR) 269.00

Micro-Sci A-70 (Quad) 329.00

Micro-Sci Controller 70.00

Rana Elite I 249.00

Rana Elite II 399.00

Rana Elite III 509.00

Rana Controller 85.00

Super 5"THINLINE" 14 Size163K40TR 209.00

PRINTERS

DIABLO

620 (25CPS/Serial) 920.00

630(40CPS/Multi-IF) 1,790.00

630 ECS/IBM 2,100.00

DYNAX

Dynax-15 Par-13CPS Daisy Wheel

2 color PTG-3K buff 475.00

Dyanx 15 Serial-13CPS Daisy Wheel 525.00

c, rroH

Pro-writer I (8510A) Par 120 CPS 350.00

Pro-writer I (8510A) Serial 120 CPS 529.00

Pro-writer II Parallel-15" 669.00

8600 (180CPS) Par or Serial 18 PIN 90 CPS LTR 1,099.00

F-10 40CPS/Diablo/Par or Serial 1,149.00

F-1055CPS/Diablo/Par or Serial 1,425.00

GENERAL ELECTRIC

Demand Document Printers
3400— 400CPS Serial/Tractor to 60 100 CPS CORR. 2,175.00
3404— 400CPS Serial/Tractor 100CPSCORR 2,459.00

MANNESMAN-TALLY

Spirit 80CPS Par 10" 330.00

160L(160CPC-40CPSLTR10") 589.00

180L(160CPS-40CPS LTR 15") 829.00

MPI

MPI-Portable Sprinter/160CPS/IBM Port/4K Buff, up to

64K 100 CPS CORR. Keybd avlb 795.00

MPI-99G (9") Par 499.00

MPI 150 Bl (15") Par2K Buff w/Graphics 675.00

MP1 150 Al (15") Par 4K Buff w/Graphics 799.00

MP1 150 Al (15") Par 16K Buff w/Graphlcs 899.00

NEC

NEC201020CPS Serial Daisywheel 950.00

NEC2015 20CPS Diablo Comp Daisywheel 950.00

NEC2030 20CPS Par Daisywheel 950.00

NEC205020CPS for IBM Daisywheel 1,050.00

NEC3510 35CPS Par Daisywheel 1,595.00

NEC3550 35CPS IBM 1,850.00

NEC771055CPS Serial Daisywheel 1,995.00

NEC771555CPS Diablo Comp Daisywheel 1,995.00

NEC8023A 100CPS-Par-Graphics-10" 389.00

NEC8025A 100CPS Par Graphics 15" 699.00

Serial Card 139.00

OKI-DATA

2350— 350CPS 2 color tractor 2,195.00

2410P350CPS 2 color tractor 2,495.00

Microline 82A (SER & PAR-120CPS 10") 379.00

Microline 83A (SER &PAR-120CPS 15") 629.00

Microline 92 (PAR-160CPS-LTR-10") 489.00

Microline 93 (PAR-160CPS-LTR-15") 799.00

Microline 84P(PAR-200CPS-LTR-15") 969.00

Microline 84S(SER-200CPS-LTR-15") 1,059.00

STAR MICRONICS

Gemini 10X NEW VERSION (PAR-120CPS-10") CALL

Gemini 15X (PAR-120CPS-15") CALL

Gemini 15-<PAR-100CPS-15") 399.00

Gemini Delta 10(Par-160CPS-10"8K buffer serial) CALL

SILVER REED

EXP550P-17CPS Daisy Wheel-PAR 670.00

EXP550S-17CPS Daisy Wheel-Serial 690.00

TOSHIBA
P-1350(192CPS-120CPSLTRPARorSerial) 1,499.00

TRANSTAR

120 P14CPS Par Diablo Comp 479.00

315ColorPrinter500CPSPar 489.00

SYSTEMS

APPLE/FRANKLIN

Apple II E Starter— Includes CPU 1 F.D. Monitor and

Stand 1,525.00

Franklin 1000 w/color 799.00

Franklin 1200 Starter includes CPU 2 F.D. 80 col . . . 1,625.00
Franklin 1200 OMS includes CPU-2 F.D. and bundled

software 1,825.00

IBM-PC TYPES
COLUMBIA (1600-1) 16 bit 128K Ram 2 ea.
320K Disk Drive-2 SER, 1 PAR, Key Bd. 8 slots,

Display Cd., bundled software 2,775.00

IBM P.C. 16 bit 64K Ram 2 ea. 320 K Disk Drive,

Princeton HG12X-ColorCard 3,395.00

EAGLE PC-2 16 bit 128K Ram 2 ea. 320K Disk

Drive 12" Green (HH-Res) bundled software

EAGLE PORTABLE 16 bit 128K Ram 1 F.D./10 MG HD/Green

Screen MS-DOS 210 bundled software 4,000.00

KAYPRO

Kaypro II w/bundled software 1,475.00

Kaypro 4 w/bundled software 1,875.00

Kaypro 10 w/bundled software 2,695.00

Sprinter K (5MH2 Speed-up) 99.00

K-Clock(Batt Backup Clk/Cal) 99.50

Video Output BD (allows use of video monitor) 125.00

Kaypro II Upgrade Disk Drives (DS/DD) 239.00

(Trade-In Allowance $75 for SS/DD Drive)
MOLECULAR SYSTEMS
Micro 10-8 16 bit (8086) CPU 1 ea. 8" F.D.— 1 ea. 10
MB HD— 64K Ram expands to 256K up to 8 users
w/additional application processors—

CP/M and CP/M 86 5,200.00

Micro 153 16 bit (8086) CPU 1 ea. 8" F.D.— 1 ea. 15
MB HD— 64K Ram expands to 256K up to 8 users
w/additional application processors—

CP/M and CPM 86 6,600.00

AP8001-ASYNC/9600BPS Application Processor . 589.00
AP8003— ASYNC/19.200BPS Application Processor. 839.00

APB011— SYNC/50K BPS 1,079.00

NEC
PC8201A-Portable 2.4 MHZ CPU 16K Ram/Expands to
64K-32K RAM LCD Display— Keybd (67 key-5 function)
Modem, Serial and Par Port-FD and Cassette
Interface— Uses 4 AABatt— bundled software 660.00

TERMINALS

TOLL FREE

1-800-545-2633

CONTINENTAL U.S.

Circle 205 on inquiry card.

W^>

The Great Salt Lake

Computer Company, Inc.

1-801-363-3314

PC8201A-90— N1 Cad Pak .... , 16.00

PC8221A— Portable Printer 149.00

PC8271 A-02— AC Adapter 15.00

S-100

Compupro 816A 4,125.00

Compupro B16B 5,495.00

Compupro 816C 6,995.00

TELEVIDEO
TS-801 4 MHZ CPU-64K 2 ea. 360K F.D.—

Graphics 12" green 1,900.00

TS-1603 5 MHZ CPU-128K 2 ea. 360K F.D.—

Graphics 12" Green CP/M 2,400.00

Teletote 1 4 MHZ CPU 64K 1 ea. F.D. 9" Amber

detach KYBD Par/Ser mouse port CP/M 1,350.00

Teletote 2 4 MHZ CPU 64K 2 ea. F.D. 9" Amber

detach KYBD Par/Ser mouse port CP/M 1,695.00

ADDS

Viewpolnt-A1 (White) 509.00

Viewpoint-A2 (Green) 539.00

Viewpoint-3A + (Green) 509.00

Viewpoint 60-Same as Televideo 925 715.00

Viewpoint 90-Same as Televideo 950 (132 Col) ... 925.00
Viewpoint Color 995.00

QUME

QVT-102 80 Col. Green (910 comp) 549.00

QVT-102 80 Col. Amber 560.00

QVT-103 80/132 Col. Green 865.00

QVT-103 80/132 Col. Amber 895.00

QVT-108 80/132 Col. Amber(925 Corp.) 715.00

TELEVIDEO

TV910 529.00

TV910 + 565.00

TV925 w/2nd page memory 715.00

TV950 w/2nd, 3rd, 4th page memory 925.00

TV970 1,019.00

RG1000/TV60GraphicsUpgradefor925/950 ... 1,100.00

VVYSE

WYSE-100 725.00

WYSE-300 (Color) 1,125.00

Mail Orders r~

P.O. Box 3150
— Salt Lake City, Utah 84110
Mail Orders

Monday-Friday 8 AM to 6 PM
(sometimes much later)
Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM

"IBM PC Compatible

pcpipeuni

c — ii ii o <>

Low, direct prices • Fast, direct service

2532-450 $425

2716-450 320

2732-450 399

2764-250 615

M164-150P 510

•4164-200 489

6116-P3 460

6116-LP-3 499

Add $2 95 shipping to all orders 2.6% lor credit card orders

OEM • Quantity discounts available • P.O.s on

approval • C.O.D. OK • Credit cards • FL residents

add 5% tax • All new, no surplus, no seconds

(Prices subjec't to change )

4920 Cypress St., Suite 100,

Tampa, FL 33607

In FL, and for info., call 813-875-0299

FOR ORDERS ONLY, 800-237-8910

3 AM-5 PM EST

PRO-1

PROFESSIONAL PROTOTYPING
BOARD FOR YOUR APPLE®

ALL I.C. PINS LETTERED BY COLUMN AND NUMBERED BY ROW
ACCEPTS ALL STANDARD I.C. SOCKETS
ACCEPTS UP TO 82 (16 PIN1 SOCKETS
NUMBERED INPUT C OUTPUT PINS

$29.95

• VCC & GND Pins
Conveniently
Available

• J.12V&.5U

■ Accepts all Standar
IDS Connectors
[100'CTR]

• Gdd-ptated Edge

• Provisions for Filtering
Power Supplies

• Premium Quality Black
Fiberglass

Hollywood Hardware, Ii

B842 Uil|itn Awa.

VanNuys, CA 91408

C21318B8-18M

fmm

of looking for reliable
Source of Supply?
Tf3

wuxmr

from Looking???

about
QUALITY??

DISKETTES +
RIBBONS +

ACCESSORIES

Call Bob Kelly Now. . .
Kelly Computer Supplies

1811 Carl St. • St. Paul, MN 55113

Toll Free ... 800 - 447 - 2929

MN Res. Call Collect. . .612/644-9030

VERBATIM - DISKETTES

Circle 184 on Inquiry card.

Circle 215 on Inquiry card.

Circle 252 on inquiry card.

Boulder Logical Testing, Inc. Is now

offering a new EPROM Programmer FOR

$245.00

W EDHJ

• Microprocessor based

•Programs 2716, 2732, 2732A and 2532 EPROMS

• Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) sockets are standard
•25 or 22 volt programming voltage option
•Copy from EPROM to EPROM automatically
•RS 232 interface with selectable baud rates
•Thorough user documentation includes example

software drivers for popular computer systems,
including Apple*, IBM PC, and CP/M*
•Command set can be used from host computer
or terminal

• Comes complete with power supply

To order, or for more infoimation write:

Boulder Logical Testing, Inc.

PO Box 902, Boulder, CO 80306

(303) 494-8196

includes shipping &

RIBBONS
CARTRIDGES AND SPOOLS

PRICE PRICE

PER PER

RIBBON DOZEN

Anadex 9500 13.50 147.00

Commodore Pet 8023 7.00 B1.00

C. Itoh Prowriter 5.95 68.40

C. Itoh Starwriter F-10 4.75 54.00

Data South DS-180 6.50 75.00

Epson MX-70/80 5.25 60.00

Epson MX-100 9.95 108.00

Epson MX-100 Reload 6.50 72.00

Gemini - 10 2.50 27.00

IDS Microprism - 480 6.00 69.00

IDS Paper Tiger 460/560 7.50 87.00

IDS Prism 8.00 93.00

Okidata - 80, 82 & 83 2.50 27.00

Okidata - 84 5.00 57.00

TO ORDER CALL (313) 569-3218 or
WRITE FOR OUR CATALOG

DWIGHT COMPANY, INC.

15565 NORTHLAND DRIVE

WEST TOWER SUITE 804

S0UTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48075

IBM PC, APPLE, etc.

SHARING AND SWITCHING PROBLEMS?
GILTR0NIX HAS THE SOLUTION!

HI Any CPU

fib fib &s

Printer 1 Printer 2 Modern or

Dot Matrix Letter Quality Other Peripheral

MANUAL UNITS AUTOMATIC UNITS

2-6 Pons OR 2-7 Pons

Selecto-Switch Aulo-Switch

Serial (RS 232)/Parallel (Centronics]

LOW COST ADD-ONS FROM THE MAIN
(\S) MANUFACTURER

C^Giltronix

LAJ 3780 Fabian Way. Palo Alio, CA 94303
(415)493-1300

Circle 52 on inquiry card.

Circle 159 on Inquiry card.

Circle 200 on inquiry card.

DISKETTES

3M Scotch' BRAND

AT SUPER LOW PRICES

WE WILL SHIP YOUR ORDER

WITHIN 24 HOURS AND WE PAY

THE SHIPPING CHARGES

" COD ACCEPTED

DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED

CALL TOLL FREE
800 922-8193

IN CALIFORNIA
800 468-1068

Teyco Buiinai* Formi
Computer Supplies
Post Office Bo* 605
Newbury oark, CA 91320

Scotch Diskettes

Rely on Scotch* diskettes to keep your valu-
able data safe. Dependable Scotch diskettes
ar6 tested and guaranteed error-free. The low
abrasivity saves your read/write heads.
They're compatible with most diskette drives.

\osf*'

(800)235-4137

Dealer Inquiries
Invited

PACIFIC
EXCHANGES

UN) Fi-xhill 8k ri
San Lim Obitpti
414111 In Cat cal
(WKHM2-VMS ..,
S4t-11M7

0 TeleVideo DEALERS

• Fast Dump/Restore

over 600k per disk $60

• Type Ahead with Print Screen

64 Character Type Ahead Buffer 160

• 3270 & 276013760 Bisync Communications

from Phone 1 & Batech $700 ft $300

• TurboDOS for TeleVideo Start at $226

• BIOS & Formatting for 602H

use all 20 MB $150

• 8" Disk Drive for 802 Computer

Drive & Software $1,100

• RM Cobol™ for TurboDOS

Full System $525

Run Time $175

• Standby Power System

200VA-400VA-800VA At low at $363

RM/COBOL is a registered trademark of

Ryan-McFarland Corp.

CP/M»is registered trademark ol Digital Research, Inc.

TurboDOS is a registered trademark of Software 2000, Inc.

PLUS OTHER GOOD TELEVIDEO STUFF!

COGITATE, Inc.

SPECIALISTS IN UNIQUE TELEVIDEO SOFTWARE

24000 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Ml 48034

(313) 352-2345

VISA/MASTER CARD Accepted

Circle 41/ on inquiry card.

Circle 334 on inquiry card.

Circle 75 on inquiry card.

PRINTERS

ACCESSORIES
FOR APPLE

Com

J^ter Products

OKIDATA— MICROLINE 92 & 93

160 CPS. true correspondence quality printing, full
graphics. IBM PC compatible (optional), handles
single sheet as well as fan-fold paper, professional
design construction and quality

PRM-43092 Oki 92 parallel List 699.00 $439.95

PRM-43093 Oki 93 parallel Lisl 1199.00 $795.95

PRA-43181 2K serial board $115.00

PRA-43086 IBM PC ROMS lor 92 $49.95

PRA-43087 IBM PC ROMS lor 93 $49.95

PRA-43080 Extra ribbon (2) $9.95

PRA-43088 Tractor lor Oki 92 $54.95

MICROLINE 82, 83, & 84

120 CPS (82. 83) 200 CPS (84). industry standard
printers, serial and parallel interfaces, Irue lower case
descenders, handles single-sheet as well as fan fold

PRM-43082 Oki 82 Lisl Price 599.95 $379.95

PRM-43083 Oki 83 wl FREE! tractor $625.95

PRM-43084 Oki 84 parallel List $1399.00 _ $925.00

PRM-43085 Oki 84 serial List 1499.00 $995.00

PRA-43081 2K serial board $159.95

PRA-43080 Extra ribbons 82192. 83193 $9.95

PRA-43088 Tractorlor Oki 82 $54.95

PRA-43180 Ribbons 83. 84, 93 $9.95

EPSON PRINTERS
Save at Least 150.00!!

CALL US FOR THE BEST DEAL ON THE WORLDS
BEST SELLING LINE OF PRINTERSI
EPSON RX-80 100 CPS witractor. graphics
PRM-29082 A 499.00 Value. Save 200.00 _ $299.95
EPSON RX-80FT 100 CPS with FREE graphics
PRM-29084 Friction & tractor leed _ SAVE $150.00
EPSON MX-80FT 80 CPS with FREE graphics
PRM-28082 Friction 8, tractor leed _ SAVE $150.00
EPSON MX-100 100 CPS 15" platten

PRM-28100 Friction & tractor SAVE $150.00

EPSON FX-80 760 CPS with FREE graphics
PRM-29080 Friction & tractor leed _ SAVE $150.00
EPSON FX-100 160 CPS 15" platten
PRM-29100 Friction & tractor leed _ SAVE $150.00

GEMINI 10X & 15X

Star Mtcronics— up to 120 CPS, full graphics, friction
and tractor feed, Epson FX-80 comoatible

PRM-66010 Gemini 10X SAVE $150.00

PRM-66015 Gemini 15X SAVE $150.00

PRA-66200 Serial board. G-10. G-15 $69.00

PRA-66202 Serial board. G-10X. G-15X $55.00

PRA-66206 10X, 15X 4K serial $109.00

NEW! DELTA 10

160 CPS. up to 16K buffer, serial and parallel inter-
faces, graphics friction and tractor. FX-80 compatible
PRM-66120 ___ - Save $150.00

COMREX CR-II

Best buy in letter quality printers. NEW! from Comrex!
full featured letter quality printer. FREE! 5K buffer,
logic seeking bi-directional printing, boldface
proportional spacing, double-strike, backspace,
underline, true super script and sub script, drop in
daisy wheel cartridge

PRD-11101 CR-II parallel $495.00

PRD-11102 CR-II serial $589.95

PRA-11100 Tractor option $99.95

PRA-997O0 Cut sheet feeder $189.95

$179.95

PRA-11115 Keyboard option

SILVER REED EXP-550

Economical daisy wheel printer with 200 words per
minute (18 CPS), full 15-inch platen. Diablo 630
protocol, 10, 12, 15 pitch or proportional printing. Very
quiet, very reliable; a bargain in the under $1000, letter
quality printer market

PRD-52001 Parallel. List 895.00 $669.00

PRD-52002 Serial. List 995.00 $775.00

PRA-52000 Tracfor. List 159.95 $129.00

DISK DRIVE For APPLE

Totally Apple compatible, 143,360 bytes per drive on
DOS 3.3 full one year factory warranty, half-track
capability, reads all Apple software, plugs right into
Apple controller as second drive, DOS 3.3, 3.2.1
Pascal, & CP/M compatible

MSM-431010 Standard Disk II size $199.00

MSM-431030 Controller only $60.00

HALF-HEIGHT DRIVE For APPLE

Totally Apple compatible. Works with all Apple
software and controllers. Faster and quieter than most
other drives, yet only half the size!
MSM-581010 Half-height $199.95

SUPER DISKETTE SPECIAL!

We bought out a major manufacturer's overstock,
and we are passing the savings on to you! Single sided
double density, package of ten FREE plastic case
MMD-5120103 Apple diskettes $18.95

CP/M 3.0 CARD For APPLE— ALS

The most powerful card available for your Applet

6 MHz, Z-80B, additional 64K RAM. CP/M 3.0
plus. 100% CP/M 2.2 compatibility, C Basic. CP/M
gr aphics. 300% faster than any other CP/M for Apple
CPX-62810A ALS CP/M card $299.00

Z CARD For APPLE-ALS

Two computers in one, Z-80 and 6502, more than
doubles the power and potential of your Apple,
includes Z-80 CPU card. CP/M 2.2 and complete
manual set. Pascal compatible, one year warranty
CPX-62800A A & T with CP/M 2.2 $139.00

80 COLUMN CARD

80 column x 24 line video card for Apple II addressable
25th status line, normal/inverse or high/low video. 128
ASCII characters, upper and lower case, 7x9 dot
matrix with true descenders, CP/M. Pascal and
Fortran compatible, 40/80 Hz, 40/60 column selection
from keyboard. Best 80 column card!

IOV-2450A Viewmax 80 $139.95

IOV-2455A Visicalcj Easy writer Preboot $24.95

16K RAM CARD For APPLE II

Expand your Apple II 64K, use as language card, full
one year warranty. Why spend $175.00?
MEX-16700A Save over 115.00 $49.95

PRINTER CARD & CABLE

For Apple. Standard Centronics parallel interface for
Epson, Okidata. C, Itoh, Gemini, NEC, Comrex, etc.
Includes printer cable and supports graphics
IOP-2100A Printer card & cable $49.95

FAN/POWER CENTER For APPLE

Cooling fan for your overheated Apple II, II+, or lie;
also includes power switch and two switched outlets
with voltage protection circutry
SYA-1520A Apple fan $59.95

NEW! MICROMODEM Me HAYES

The standard in direct-connect, plug-in modem cards
for Apple. 110-300 baud. Includes FREE Smartcom I
IOM-2000A Micromodem lie $239.95

KOALA PAD— KOALA TECH.

A touch sensitive pad that functions like a joystick or
mouse, allowing you to move the cursor around the
screen with the touch of a finger. Complete with
software

SYA-1518A Koala Pad

$99.95

PLACE ORDERS TOLL FREE!

Continental USA Inside California

(800) 421-5500 (800) 262-1710

GRAPPLER PLUS— Orange Micro

The ultimate parallel printer graphics interface card
with many new features, now at a new low price!
IOP-2300A Grappier Plus $119.95

BUFFERED GRAPPLER PLUS

Combines the flexibility of the Grappier + with the
convenience of the Bufferboard, all on a single board
IOP-2320A Buffered Grappler+ $175.00

BUFFERBOARD— Orange Micro

Add up to 20 pages of text output buffering to your

existing Grappier + board

IOP-2310A Bufferboard $135.00

ASIO— SSM/TRANSEND

RS232 serial I/O board for Apple, works with printers

or modems. 110 to 9600 baud. DOS, CP/M and Pascal

compatible

IO 1-2052 A ASIO $119.95

DUAL 8-inch DISK DRIVES

Up to 2 Megabytes for your Apple, two double density
8 inch slimline disk drives, cabinet, power supply,
cable, controller, and software. Compatiblewith DOS.
CP/M, Pascal, and IBM 3740 formats

1 MEGA8YTE SUB SYSTEM

2 MEGABYTE SUB SYSTEM

$1195.00
.$1395.00

Better than USI, Better than Amdek!
BEST MONITORS AVAILABLE!

Ultra-high resolution, up to 22 MHz. 1000 lines per
inch, amber or green phoshpor. FREE! tilt and swivel
base, US manufacturer

VDM-881220 12" green 22 MHz $149.95

VDM-881210 12" amber 22 MHz $149.95

VDM-880920 9" green IB MHz $139.95

VDM-880910 9" amber 18 MHz $139.95

12-inch GREEN— ZENITH

15 MHz, 40 or 80 column

VDM-201201 12" green $94.95

MICROFAZER— QUADRAM

The Microfazer stand-alone printer buffers are
available in any configuration of serial or parallel
input, with serial or parallel output. All are expandable
upto64K of memory (about 30 pages of 8'/2x 11 text):
the parallel-to-parallel version is expandable to 51 2K
Copy and pause feature included

Parallel/Parallel

iop-26008 RK 1 1st ifio nn

$139.95
$164.95
$269.95

inP-JROS? 37 K 1 isl 925 OO

IOP-26128 1 28 K List 445.00

Serial/Parallel

inp-J7nnR rk i im 79Q nn

$169.95

Serial/Serial

IOP-2800R RK 1 isl 199 00

$169.95
. $199.95

IOP-2B032 3PK 1 1st 220 m

Parallel/Serial

IOP-29008 RK 1 1st 199 00

$169.95

INC

MICROBUFFER
PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS

Stand-alone Mlcrobutfers

IOP-2500A Parallel 3?K
inp.351 (14 , Parallel R4K

$249.95
$299.95

inp.25?nA Serial, 37K
IOP-2530A Serial K4K

$249.95
$299.95

Mlcrobutfers for Apple II

IOP-2560A Parallel 1KK
IOP-2570A Parallel, 3PK

$199.95
. $249.95

ir>P-?5BnA Serial 1RK
ir>P-75<M)A Serial 3?K

$199.95
$249.95

Mlcrobutfers for Epson Printers

IOP-2540A Parallel 1RK
IOP-2550A Serial RK

$139.95
. $139.95

Circle 241 on Inquiry card.

Los Angeles Area
(213)973-7707

Co

filter

pro

ducts

SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER

NEW! ADC SUPER SIX

First 6 MHz S-100 single board computer to support
banked CP/M 3.0 featuring 1 28K RAM . 6 MHz Z-80B.
DMA cont, DART. PIO. CTC, double-density disk
controller, up to 4K of Eprom, IEEE 696 compatible. 6
MHz super slave boards also available for networks

CPC-30860A 64K super six $749.95

CPC-30862A 128K super six $799.95

SFC-52502000F CP/M 3.0 tor super six $349.95

SFC-55622000F Turbo-DOS single user _ $249.95

S-100 BOARDS
ON SALE!

SBC-200 SD SYSTEMS

4 MHz Z-80A CPU with serial and parallel I/O

cpn-anjnnA i*r

$298.95

THE BIG Z— JADE

2 or 4 MHz switchable Z-80 CPU board witf

serial I/O

$35.00

OBIM0211K Kir wlm?m,al

$179.95

«"JM«« 4 * T

$199.00

SBC 300 SD SYSTEMS

Self-contained S-100 Z80 microcomputer, 4/6 MHz

CPC-30304A SBC 300, 4 MHz, A&T

$619.95

CPU-30306A SBC 300. 6 MHz, A&T

$689.95

CPU-Z COMPUPRO

2 or 4 MHz Z80A CPU. 24 bit addressing

CPU-ansnoA ?/4 mhz a& t

$279.95

CPI.I-.1(150nC .1/6 MHz CSC

$347.95

8085/8088 COMPUPRO

Both 8 and 16 bit CPUs standard 8 bit S-100 bus

CPM-20510A 9 MHrA * T

$389.95

CPU-20510C 6/8 MHz CSC

$497.95

64K STATIC RAM-

-JADE

Uses new 2K

x 8 static RAMs

, fully supports IEEE 696

MEM-99152B
MEM-99152K
MEM-32152K
MEM-56152K
MEM-64152K

Bare board
Kit less RAM

' 3PK kit

$49 95

$89.95

$169.00

S6K kit

$225.00

R4 K kit

$265.00

add $30.00

EXPANDORAM III

High density

memory board.

64K. 128K or

256K

MEM-65064A
MEM-65128A
MEM-65192A
MEM-65256A

64 K

$398.95

128K
192K

$464.95
$524.95

'W«

$589.95

EXPANDORAM IV-

-SD SYSTEMS

Up to 1024K using 256K RAM chips, parity

MEM-66256
MEM-67256

zxpandoRAM IV w/parity

ZxpandoRAM IV w/EDC

$975.95

_ $1675.95

DOUBLE D— JADE COMPUTER

High reliability, double density disk controller

IOD-1200B Bare board & hdwr man $59.95

IOD-1200K Kit w/hdwr & sttwr man $299.95

IOD-1200A A & T w/hdwr & sttwr man $325.00

SFC-59002001F CP/M 2.2 with Double D $99.95

VERSAFLOPPY II— SD SYSTEMS

Double density disk controller for 5y4" and 8"

IOD-1160A A & T with PROM $344.95

SFC-55009047F CP/M 3.0 with VF-II $80.00

VERSAFLOPPY II 696

Fully compatible with IEEE 696 standards

IOD-1170A Versalloppy II/69B A & T $349.95

SFC-55009157F 8" banked CP/M 3.0' "$75.00

SFC-55009157M 5%" banked CP/M 3.0' "$75.00

SFC-55009159F 8" unbanked CP/M 3.0' "$75.00

SFC-55009159M 5'/," unbanked CP/M 3.0- _ "$75.00
"Price is $75.00 if ordered with Versafloppy IJ
The price if ordered separtely is $199.95

VERSAFLOPPY III— SD SYSTEMS

Winchester and floppy controller in a single board!

IOD-1 180A Versalloppy III A 8, T $759.95

SFC-55009257F 8" banked CP/M 3.0' "$129.00

SFC-55009257M 5'/," banked CP/M 3.0' _ "$129.00
SFC-55009259F 8" unbanked CP/M 3.0' _ "$129.00
SFC-55009259M 5'/4" unbanked CP/M 3.0' "$129.00
'Configured for SBC 300

"Price is $129.00 if ordered with Versafloppy III.
The price is $199.95 if ordered separtely

1/0-4 SSM MICROCOMPUTER

Two serial I/O ports plus two parallel I/O ports
IOI-1010A AS, T $245.00

INTERFACER 4 COMPUPRO

Three serial, one parallel, one Centronics parallel

IOI-1 840A AST $389.95

IOI-1840C CSC $495.00

I/0-8 SD SYSTEMS

Full compliance with IEEE 696 standards

IOI-1510A 8 Async ports $589.95

IOI-1520A 4 Sync/4 Async $669.95

THE BUS PROBE

Best selling inexpensive S-100 diagnostic analyzer

TSX-200B Bare board $59.95

TSX-200K Kit $179.95

TSX-200A A&T $199.95

ISO BUS— JADE COMPUTER

Silent, simple and on SALE! A better motherboard
6 Slot (S'/," x B%") 19 MHz

MBS-061B Bare board $22.95

MBS-061K Kit $39.95

MBS-061A A&T $49.95

12 Slot (9%" x ay,") 10 MHz

MBS-121B Bare board .

MBS-121K Kit

MBS-121A A&T

$34.95
$69.95
$89.95

18 Slot I14V2" X 8%"J 8MHz

MBS-181B Bare board

MBS-181K Kit

MBS-181A A&T

_ $54.95
_ $99.95
_ $139.95

8 inch DISK DRIVES

SIEMENS FDD 100-8 Single sided, double density

MSF-201120 $179.00 ea 2 for $175.00 ea

SHUGART SA 801R Single sided, double density

MSF-10801R $355.00 ea 2 for $349.00 ea

SHUGART SA-851 R Double sided, double density

MSF-10851R $459.00 ea 2 for $455.00 ea

QUME DT-8 Double sided, double density

MSF-750080 $479.00 ea 2 for $459.00 ea

TANDON TM 848-1 SS DD thin-line

MSF-558481 $369.00 ea 2 for $359.00 ea

TANDON TM 848-2 DS DD thin-line

MSF-558482 $439.00 ea 2 for $435.00 ea

NEC FD1165 DS DD thin-line

MSF-851165 $450.00 ea 2 for $440.00 ea

NEC FD1164 SS DD thin-line

MSF-851164 $360.00 ea 2 for $350.00 ea

DISK SUB-SYSTEMS JADE

Handsome metal cabinet with proportionally
balanced air flow system, rugged dual drive power
cable kit. power switch, line cord, fuse holder, cooling
fan. nevermar rubber feet, all necessary hardware to
mount two 8-inch disk drives, power supply, and fan,
does not include signal cable
Dual 8" Sub-Assembly Cabinet

END-000420 Bare cabinet $49.95

END-000421 Cabinet kit $199.95

END-000431 A&T $249.95

8" Sub-Systems— Slngal Sided, Double Density
END-000423 Kit w/2 Siemens FDWO-BDs _ $579.00
END-000424 A & T w/2 Siemens FDWO-BDs $595.00

END-000433 Kit w/2 Shugart SA-801 Rs $939.00

END-000434 A & T w/2 Shugart SA-801 Rs $969.00

8" Sub-Systems — Double Sided, Double Density

END-000426 Kit w/2 Qume DT-Ss $1229.00

END-000427 A & T w/2 Qume DT-8s $1249.00

END-000436 Kit w/2 Shugarl SA-851 Rs _ $1199.00
END-000437 A & T w/2 Shugart SA-851 Rs $1219.00

DUAL SLIMLINE SUB-SYSTEMS

Dual 8-Inch Slimline Cabinet

END-000820 Bare cabinet

END-000822 A&T w/o drives .

_ $59.95
. $164.95

Dual 8-Inch Slimline Sub-systems

END-000843 Kit w/2 SS DD drives $869.00

END-000844 A & T w/2 SS DD drives $879.00

END-000845 Kit w/2 DS DD drives $1060.00

END-000846 A & T w/2 DS DD drives $1099.00

DISK DRIVE POWER SUPPLY

Sufficient current to power up to three 8" drives
PSD-206A list Price 149.00 $89.95

PB-1 SSM MICROCOMPUTER

2708. 2716 EPROM board with on-board programmer
MEM-99510A A& T w /manual $219.00

PROM-100 SD SYSTEMS

2708. 2716. 2732 EPROM programmer with software
MEM-99520A A&T with software $219.95

ULTRA-VIOLET EPROM ERASERS

Inexpensive erasers for industry or home

XME-3100 Speclronics w/o timer $69.50

XME-3101 Speclronics with timer $94.95

XME-3200 Logical Devices $49.95

Satisfying Your Personal And Professional Computer Needs Since 1975

We accept cash, checks, credit cards, or purchase orders from qualified firms and institutions.
Minimum prepaid order $15.00 California residents add 61/2% tax. Export customers outside the US or Canada please
add 10% to all prices. Prices and availibility subject to change without notice. Shipping and handling charges
via UPS Ground 50<t/lb. UPS Air $1 ,00/lb. minimum charge $3.00 Prices quoted are for pre-paid orders only

JADE Computer Products 4901 West Rosecrans Avenue, Hawthorne, California 90250

622 BYTE December 1983

Circle 242 on inquiry card.

DISK DRIVES
& MODEMS

ACCESSORIES
FOR IBM PC

5% inch DISK DRIVES

TANDONTM 100-1 SS DD 48 TPI

MSM-551001 $225.00 ea 2 for $195.00 ea

SHUGART SA 400L SS DD 48 TPI

MSM-104000 $209.00 ea 2 lor $199.95 ea

TANDON TM 100-2 DS DD 48 TPI

MSM-551002 $229.00 ea 2 for $225.00 ea

MPI B52 DS DD 48 TPI can be substituted for CDC

MSM-1 55200 $275.00 ea 2 for $270.00 ea

MPI B51 SS DD 48 TPI

MSM-1 55100 $209.00 ea 2 for $199.00 ea

MPI B91 Single sided. Quad Density 96 TPI

MSM-1 55300 $285.00 ea 2 for $275.00 ea

MPI B92 Double sided Quad density 96 TPI
MSM-1 55400 $400.00 ea 2 for $390.00 ea

5%" CABINETS/POWER SUPPLY

$69.95
$85.00

END-000216 Single cab w/power supply _
END-000226 Dual cab w/power supply

SMARTMODEM— HAYES

Sophisticated direct-connect auto-answer/auto-dial
modem, touch tone or pulse dialing. RS232C interface
programmable

IOM-5500A Smarlmodem 1200 $475.00

IOM-5550A 1200B lor IBM PC $399.95

IOM-5400A Smarlmodem 300 $199.00

IOK-1500A Hayes Cronograph $199.00

IOM-1100A Micromodem 100 $349.00

IOM-2000A Micromodem lie $259.00

1200 BAUD SMART CAT
NOVATION

103/212 Smart Cat and 103 Smart Cat, 1200 and 300
baud, built-in dialer, auto re-dial if busy, auto answer/
disconnect, direct connect, LED readout displays
mode analog/digital loopback self tests, usable with
multi-line phones

IOM-5241A 300 Baud 103 Smart Cal $229.95

IOM-5251A 1200 Baud 212/103 Smart Cal $549.95

J-CAT MODEM— NOVATION

1/5 the size of ordinary modems, Bell 103. manual or
auto-answer, automatic answer/orginate. direct
connect, built-in self-test, two LEDs and audio beeps
provide status information
IOM-5261A Novation J-Cat $119.00

SMART BUY IN MODEMS
SIGNALMAN

Direct connect, low cost, high quality, and state-of-
the-art features. Includes FREE! subscription to the
Source

MARK I Universal 300 baud, automatic originate/
answer selection, RS232C
IOM-5600A 300b RS-232 $79.95

MARK VI 300 Baud for IBM PC, auto-answer,
auto-dial, plug-in modem board with full com-
munications software included FREE!
IOM-5630A 300 Baud IBM card $159.95

MARK VII Universal 300 baud, auto-answer, auto-
dial RS-232 modem
IOM-5610A Deluxe RS-232 300b $149.95

NEW! MARK XII New Universal 1200 Baud auto-
answer, auto-dial modem with all the popularfeatures
of the Hayes Smarlmodem 1200
IOM-5620A 1200B deluxe modem $399.95

SIX PAK PLUS— AST

Up to 384K RAM, clock calendar with battery back up,
serial port, parallel printer port, game port, superdrive
and super spool software included FREE!

MEX-38064A 64K C.S.P $289.95

MEX-38256A 256K C.S.P $489.95

For Game Port Option Add

$39.95

MEGA PLUS— AST

Up to 512K RAM. clock calendar with battery back up,
2 serial ports, parallel printer port, game port, super
drive and superspool software included FREE!

MEX-51064A 64K C. t serial $269.95

MEX-51000S Second serial port option $39.95

MEX-51000P Printer port option $39.95

MEX-51000G Game port option $39.95

For Each Additional 64K RAM Add $49.95

I/O PLUS II— AST

Up to 2 serial ports, parallel printer port, game port,
clock calendar with battery back up. super drive and
superspool software included FREE!

IOI-7500A Clock 8. 1 serial port $129.95

IOI-7500P Printer port option $39.95

IOI-7500S Second serial port option $39.95

IOI-7500G Game port option $39.95

SYSTEM CARD— MICROSOFT

From the authors of MS-DOS— up to 256K RAM. serial
port, parallel printer port, clock calendar, plus RAM
drive disk emulation, print spooler, time utilities, and
terminal emulation software, DOS 1.1 or 2.0
compatible

MEX-16064A 64K system card _
MEX-16256A 256K system card

. $279.95
$429.95

QUADBOARD I— OUADRAM

Up to 256K RAM, serial port, parallel printer port,
clock calendar, RAM disk and printer spooler software

MEX-41064A 64K Quadboard $279.95

MEX-41256A 256K Quadboard $399.95

QUADLINK— QUADRAM

Allows IBM PC to run Apple software. Includes inter-
face card and software to allow your IBM PC to run
both Apple DOS and PC DOS
CPX-50500A Quadlink $495.00

THE BEST SOFTWARE For IBM PC

We have taken the top rated programs and reduced
the price making them a super value

LOTUS 1 2 3 Best spreadsheet

SFP-24001020M Lotus 123 (1A) $329.95

dBASE II Best Data base

SFP-11210100M Ashton-Tate DBASE II $429.95

WORDSTAR Best word processor

SFP-13600100M MicroPro Wordstar $299.95

PROPACK Wordstar /Mail/Spell/Slarindex

SFP-13600900M MicroPro's best $394.95

VISIFILE Best Data base. Index

SFP-141010S0M Visicorp Visilile $199.95

CROSSTALK Best communications package

SFP-53770100M MicroStull Crosstalk $129.95

MULTIPLAN Best selling spreadsheet

SFP-162010100 Microsoft Multiplan $179.95

FLIGHT SIMULATOR Best Flight Simulator $39.95
SFP-332010100 Microsoft Plight Simulator _ $39.95

NOW! BETTER THAN EPSON

Okidata's new plug-n-play ROMS for Oki printers
are fully IBM PC compatible! All ASCII characters,
full graphics, complete Epson emulation, plus near
letter quality printing not available with Epson

PRA-43086 Plug-n-play for 92 $49.95

PR A-43087 Plug-n-play lor 93 $49.95

WCA-2536A IBM PC to Oki or Epson cable $32.95

HI-RES COLOR MONITORS

Only the best Quadchrome or Princeton HX-12.690x
480 resolution, 16 brilliant colors, special .31mm dot-
pitch tube, includes FREE! cable

VDC-241301 Quadram Quadchrome $539.95

VDC-241401 Princeton Graphics HX-12 $549.95

NEC or AMDEK. popular RGB monitors for IBM

VDC-652000 NEC JC 1203 RGB $599.95

VDC-801320 Amdek Color II $439.95

HERCULES GRAPHIC CARD

Two pages of ultra-high resolution text and graphics
720 x 348, compatible with Lotus 123. Visicalc.
dBase II, etc. Includes parallel printer port
IOV-5010A Hercules Graphic Card $359.95

PLANTRONICS COLOR PLUS

Up to 16 colors, 80 characters, biplanar technology.

includes parallel printer port

IOV-6010A Plantronics Color Plus $379.95

QUADCOLOR I & II

Quadcolor I delivers standard IBM PC color and
graphics, add Quadcolor II and hi-resolution (640 x
200) color graphics are possible

IOV-4010A Quadcolor I basic board $234.95

IOV-4020A Quadcolor II add on $229.95

64K RAM UPGRADE For IBM PC

High speed RAM upgrade kit with parity {error

detection) and one year warranty

MEX-64100K 64K kit for IBM PC - $49.95

320K DISK DRIVES

Tandon TM-100-2 double-sided, double-density
320K disk drive. Original equipment drive on IBM PC

MSM-551002 Full size Tandon $224.95

MSM-991004 Half-height 320K drive $199.95

DISKETTES For IBM PC

High quality 320K double-sided, double-density
diskettes, certified to be absolutely error free. Box of
ten, warranteed for one year

MMD-5220104 With FREE! plastic box $24.95

MMD-5220101 Verbatim Datalife $34.95

THE BEST MOUSE

From Mouse Systems. Optical mouse with no moving
parts— nothing to wear out. includes software and is
compatible with all major software packages

SYX-14100A Mouse Systems mouse $249.95

MICROSOFT MOUSE

Mechanical mouse from the folks that wrote your
PC's operating system. Includes software and cables
SYX-16100A Microsoft mouse $149.95

Place Orders Toll Free!

Continental U.S.A.
(800)421-5500

Circle 242 on Inquiry card.

Inside California
(800)262-1710

Los Angeles Area
(213)973-7707

BYTE December 1983 623

OK, so you're dreaming of a Computer

^HAVEWEGOTAD

J let us prove to you that Christmas can h

i

APPLE

ATARI

CBM-64

IBM

ALIEN MUNCHIES

15,

,95

ACTION

-

CART

69

.95

BANK STREET WRITER

DISK

57

.95

ANSWER

189.95

ASCII EXPRESS PRO

89.

.95

ARCADE MACHINE

—

DISK

44.

,95

CALC RESULT ADV.

DISK

119.

.95

CBASIC COMPILER

(CP/M86)

249.95

BILESTOAD

29

.95

ATLANTIS

-

CART

29

.95

CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN

DISK

24

.95

THE CREATOR

229.95

BOOKEEPER III

69.

,95

BAJA BUGGIES

-

DISK

27

,95

CAVE OF WORD WIZARD

DISK

19,

,95

CROSSTALK XVI

149.95

6PI GENERAL ACCOUNTING

294.

,95

BANK STREET WRITER

DISK

54

,95

CHECKERS

DISK

39

.95

D.B. MASTER

399.95

C BASIC (REQ. Z-80)

119.

,95

BLUEPRINT

-

CART

34.

,95

CHESS

DISK

54,

.95

DARK CRYSTAL

27.95

CONTEXT CONNECTOR

129

.95

BUG OFF!

-

DISK

24

.95

CHOPLIFTER

CART

34

.95

DATA CAPTURE

99.95

CRYPTO CUBE

29

,95

CAPTURE THE FLAG

-

DISK

44.

.95

COMPUTER BASEBALL

DISK

29.

.95

DATA DESIGN

169.95

D.B. MASTER 4.0

239

.95

CHOPLIFTER

-

CART

34

.95

CROSSFIRE

DISK

24

.95

DATAFAX

199.95

DATAFAX

179

.95

COMPUTER WAR

-

CART

29

.95

CYBORG

DISK

24

.95

DELTA DRAWING

39.95

DATASTAR (REQ. Z-80)

195

,95

DELTA MUSIC

-

CART

29

.95

DAVID'S MID. MAGIC

DISK

27

.95

dBASE II MS-DOS/CP/M86

429.95

DIAMOND MIND

29

,95

DELTA DRAWING

-

CART

29

.95

DELTA MUSIC

CART

29

,95

EASY SPELLER II

MS-DOS

169.95

dBASE II (REQ. Z-80)

449

,95

DIAMOND MINE

-

CART

34

,95

DISKEY

DISK

39

.95

EINSTEIN WRITER

209.95

EINSTEIN COMPILER

99

,95

DISKEY

-

DISK

39

.95

DIAMOND MINE

CART

29,

,95

EZ MAILER II

129.95

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

179

,95

DISKSCAN

-

DISK

29

.95

DRAGONRIDER OF PERN

DISK

29

.95

FCM

99.95

FRIDAY

199

.95

DISK WORKSHOP

—

DISK

27.

,95

DRELBS

CART

27.

.95

FILE FAX

129.95

GRAPHIC SOLUTION

119

.95

DOMINO MAN

—

CART

34

,95

DUNZHIN

DISK

24

.95

FILE MANAGER +

79.95

GRAPHTRIX 1.3

54

.95

EAGLES

—

DISK

29

.95

EAGLES

DISK

29.

.95

FLIGHT SIMULATOR

39.95

GRUDS IN SPACE

27

.95

FILE FAX

—

DISK

99

.95

ELECTRONIC CHECKBK

DISK

19.

,95

FORTRAN COMPILER MS-DOS

249.95

HI-RES SECRETS

99

.95

FINANCIAL WIZARD

v

DISK

39

,95

FIREONE

DISK

27.

,95

FRIDAY (MS-DOS)

199.95

HOME ACCOUNTANT

54

.95

GRAPHICS MAGICIAN

—

DISK

44

.95

FORT APOCALYSE

DISK

27

.95

HOME ACCOUNTANT

PLUS

99.95

INFOSTAR (REQ. Z-80)

319

.95

GRUDS IN SPACE

-

DISK

29

.95

FROGGER

DISK

27

,95

INFOSTAR

349.95

JUMPMAN

34

.95

HOME ACCOUNTANT

—

DISK

64

.95

GENERAL LEDGER

DISK

79

.95

THE LEDGER

339.95

KAREL THE ROBOT

179

.95

JOURNEY TO PLANETS

CART

34

.95

GENESIS

DISK

24

.95

LETTERFORM 1000

2.0

69.95

KEN USTON'S PRO BLACKJACK 54.

.95

JUMPMAN

—

DISK

29

,95

GRUDS IN SPACE

DISK

29

.95

LOGIC CALC

139.95

MAGIC WINDOW II

99

,95

JUMPMAN JR.

—

CART

29

,95

HESMON

CART

29

.95

LOGIC QUEST III

389.95

MASTER PLANNER (REQ Z80)

229

,95

MR. COOL

-

CART

29

,95

HESWRITER 64

CART

34

.95

LOTUS 1-2-3

LOW! !

MAZE CRAZE CONSTRUCT. SET 29

,95

MADDEN FOOTBALL

-

CART

34.

,95

HOME ACCOUNTANT

DISK

59

,95

MAILMERGE

179.95

MILESTONE (REQ. Z-80)

199

,95

MEMORY TRAINER

-

DISK

64

.95

INSTA-CALC

DISK

39

.95

MILESTONE (CP/M

86)

199.95

MILLIONAIRE

44

,95

MILLIONAIRE

—

DISK

44.

.95

INSTA-MAIL

DISK

27.

,95

MINER 2049

34.95

MULTIPLAN

189

.95

MINER 2049er

—

CART

37

.95

INSTA-SPEED COMPILR

DISK

79

.95

MULTIMATE

299.95

ORCA/M

79

.95

MOUNTAIN KING

—

CART

34

,95

INSTA-WRITER

DISK

44.

.95

MULTIPLAN

189.95

PFS ; REPORT

99

.95

OMEGA RACE

-

CART

34

.95

JAWBREAKER

DISK

24

.95

MULTI-TOOL WORD

W/MOUSE

339.95

PIE: SPELLER COMMUNICATION 64

.95

OZZY OZONE

-

DISK

29

,95

JOURNEY TO PLANETS

CART

29

,95

PEACHTEXT 5000 (MS/DOS)

249.95

PIE WRITER 2.2

119

,95

PINBALL

-

DISK

24

.95

JUICE

CART

29

.95

PERFECT WRITER

189.95

PINBALL CONSTRUCTION SET

29

.95

PITSTOP

—

CART

29

.95

JUMPMAN

DISK

29

.95

PERSONAL INVESTOR 1 . 1

139.95

POOYAN

24

.95

POGOMAN

—

DISK

29

.95

KINDERCOMP

CART

24

.95

PERSONAL PEARL

199.95

PROGRAMMING AIDS

64

.95

PREPPIE

-

DISK

24

.95

KNIGHTS OF DESERT

CASS

29

.95

PFS : REPORT

94.95

PRONTO DOS

21

.95

QUASIMODO

—

DISK

27

.95

MEMORY TRAINER

DISK

47

.95

PIE: SPELLER

64.95

Q-BASE

139

.95

RACK EM UP

—

CART

34

.95

MICRO- ADDITION

DISK

19

.95

PIE WRITER

139.95

QUEATRON

34

.95

RALLY SPEEDWAY

—

CART

39

.95

MR. COOL

CART

29

.95

PRO CALC

249.95

QUICK CODE (REQ. Z-80)

199

.95

RENDEVOUS

-

DISK

29

,95

OMNI CALC

DISK

74

.95

PROFESSOR DOS

44.95

REPORTSTAR (REQ. Z-80)

239

.95

RIVER QUEST

—

DISK

27

.95

PAINT WIZARD

DISK

37

.95

Q-BASE

139.95

ROOTS/M (REQ. Z-80)

134

.95

ROM'S REVENGE

-

DIST

34

.95

PIPES

CART

29

.95

QUICK-CODE MS-DOS/CP/MB6

199.95

S.A.M.

79

.95

S.A.M.

—

DISK

44

.95

PITSTOP

CART

29

.95

REPORT STAR

249.95

SCRAPER CAPER

34

.95

SATAN'S HOLLOW

-

CART

34

.95

PKAROH'S CURSE

DISK

24

,95

SCAPER CAPER

34.95

SENSIBLE SPELLER

84

.95

SCAPER CAPER

-

CART

37

.95

POOYAN

DISK

24

.95

SELECT WORD PROCESS SYS

279.95

SPEED READ +

49

.95

SEA DRAGON

-

DISK

27

.95

QUICK BROWN FOX

CART

47

.95

SMARTCOM II

89.95

SPELLSTAR (REQ. Z-80)

164

.95

SOLAR FOX

—

CART

34

.95

RACK ' EM UP

CART

29

.95

SPELLGUARD

149.95

STAR MAZE

29

.95

STAR BOWL FOOTBALL-

DISK

24

.95

ROM'S REVENGE

DISK

34

.95

SPELLSTAR

179.95

SUPERCALC (REQ. Z-80)

189

.95

STRATOS

-

DISK

19

.95

SAVE NEW YORK

CART

29

.95

STARBURST

129.95

SUPER-TEXT PRO 40/80

69

.95

SWORD POINT

—

DISK

27

.95

SCRIPT 64

DISK

79

.95

SUPERCALC II

199.95

SYSTEM II EX TURNING PT

1099

.95

SYN-FILE+

-

DISK

74

.95

SEA DRAGON

DISK

27

.95

SUPERWRITER 1.10

199.95

TAX PREPARER

159

.95

TAX ADVANTAGE

-

DISK

44

.95

SIDEWINDER

DISK

27

.95

SUPER-TEXT PROFESSIONAL

79.95

TERRAPIN LOGO

104

.95

TELENGARD

-

DISK

24

.95

SPEED READER II

DISK

54

.95

T/MAKER III

199.95

ULTIMA I

29

.95

TELETARI

—

DISK

29

.95

SPITBALL

CART

29

.95

T.I.M. Ill

349.95

VERSAFORM

259

.95

TEXT/SPELL WIZARD

-

DISK

64

.95

STARFIRE

DISK

27

.95

TYCOON

44.95

VISICALC ENHANCED //e

179

.95

TIME RUNNER

—

DISK

21

.95

STORY MACHINE

CART

29

.95

ULTIMA II

54.95

WITNESS

29

.95

TRUST

-

DISK

27

.95

SUICIDE STRIKE

DISK

27

.95

VERSAFORM

259.95

WIZWARE MICROZINE

29

.95

TYCOON

—

DISK

44

.95

TELENGARD

CASS

17

.95

VISICALC 256K

179.95

WIZWARE SQUARE PAIRS

29

.95

WING WAR

—

CART

29

,95

TIME RUNNER

DISK

24

.95

VISIFILE

239.95

WIZWARE TURTLE TRACKS

29

.95

WINGS

-

CART

34

.95

TYPING TUTOR + WORD

DISK

19

.95

VISITREND/PLOT

239.95

WORD ATTACK!

39

.95

WIZWARE MICROZINE

-

DISK

29

.95

VANILLA PILOT

DISK

17

.95

VISIWORD/VISISPELL

279.95

WORDSTAR

249

.95

WIZWARE TURTLE TRKS

DISK

29

.95

ZAXXON

DISK

29

.95

WIZARDRY

39.95

ZENITH

29

.95

ZAXXON

-

DISK

29

.95

ZORK I

DISK

29

.95

WORDSTAR

349.95

1 1

Remember- Apple Country Ltd. will try to meet

For technical assistance, order status and California calls (619) 765-0239
Apple Country, Ltd., P.O. Box 1099, 2602 Washington St., Julian, Calif. 92036

Terms: We accept American Express. No extra charge for Visa /MasterCard, Cashier's Check,
personal check (allow 2 weeks to clear) Shipping & Handling 5% (S5 min.); APO FPO Alaska
Hawaii & Monitors 5% ($10 min.) Foreign orders 15% ($15 mm.) All items are new with
manufacturer's warranty. Prices are subject to availability & change without notice. Purchase order
must include check California residents add 6% sales tax. Send $1 (good toward first purchase) for
new fall catalog

Apple Country, Ltd. is a DISCOUNT MAIL ORDER HOUSE for the micro computer industry

and is a California corporation not affiliated with Apple Computer Inc. Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc.

Circle 28 on Inquiry card.

WA

■

Christmas-

FOR YOU!

Tin and affordable

*?%&«***

«$$**»

MONITORS

PRINTERS

COMPUTERS

APPLE

AMDEK COLOR I PLUS 294.95

AMDEK COLOR II PLUS 424.95

AMDEK COLOR III 369.95

AMDEK COLOR IV 749.95

AMDEK VIDEO 300 (GREEN) 134.95

AMDEK VIDEO 300 (AMBER) 144.95

AMDEK VIDEO 310 (AMBER) 164.95

BMC 12AU 12" GREEN 39.95

BMC AU9191U 13" COLOR 299.95

BMC 140 1 13" RGB COLOR 349.95

BMC AU9191MU 13" RGB IBM 629.95

COMMODORE COLOR MONITOR 269.95

COMREX 13" COLOR W/SOUND 269.95

COMREX 12" HI-RES AMBER 134.95

COMREX 12" HI-RES GREEN 129.95

COMREX 12" HI-RES LT GRN 129.95

COMREX 13" RGB COLOR 269.95

ELECTROHOME 9" GREEN 129.95

ELECTROHOME 12" GREEN 144.95

ELECTROHOME 13" RGB IBM 379.95

ELECTROHOME 13"RGB COLOR 359.95

GORILLA 12" GREEN 89.95

NEC 12" GREEN SCREEN 154.95

NEC 12" ECONO GREEN 109.95

NEC 12" LO-RES COLOR 289.95

NEC 12" AMBER SCREEN 164.95

NEC 12" COLOR - IBM 479.95

PRINCETON GRAPHICS HX- 1 2 489.95

SAKATA 13" COLOR 264.95

SAKATA 13" RGB COLOR 499.95

SAKATA SUPER RGB MONITOR 679.95

SAKATA 12" GREEN 104.95

TAXAN 12" GREEN 124.95

TAXAN 12" AMBER 129.95

TAXAN RGB VISION I 294.95

TAXAN RGB VISION III 439.95

ZENITH 12" AMBER 119.95

ZENITH 12" GREEN 99.95

ZENITH RGB COLOR MONITOR 389.95

USI 9" AMBER MONITOR 129.95

USI 9" GREEN MONITOR 119.95

USI 12" AMBER 149.95

USI 12" GREEN MONITOR 139.95

USI 14" LO-RES COLOR 289.95

MODEMS

ANCHOR MARK I (RS-232) 79.95

ANCHOR MARK II (ATARI) 79.95
ANCHOR MARK III (TI99/4A) 99.95

ANCHOR MARK V (OSBORNE) 94.95

ANCHOR MARK VI (IBM PC) 199.95

ANCHOR MARK VII (RS-232) 109.95

ANCHOR MARK XII (RS-232) 279.95

NOVATION J-CAT 104.95

NOVATION 212 AUTO CAT 579.95

SMARTCAT 212 (1200 BAUD) 429.95

SMARTMODEM 300 BAUD 194.95

SMARTMODEM 1200 BAUD 484.95

SMARTMODEM 1200B - IBM 449.95

US ROBOTICS AUTODIAL 212 449.95

ANADEX DP-9501A 1029.95

ANADEX DP-9625A 1339.95

ANADEX DP-9620A 1129.95

ANADEX WP-6000 2199.95

ANADEX DP-6500TR 500CPS 2329.95

CENTRONICS 352DP 1999.95

C.ITOH A10 DAISY WHEEL 539.95

C.ITOH 8510SP 569.95

COMREX CR-I DAISY WHEEL 629.95
COMREX CR-II DAISY WHEEL 469.95

DAISEYWRITER 2000 1129.95

DIABLO 630R155 1784.95

EPSON FX-80 W/TRACTOR LOWI !

EPSON FX-100 F/T LOWI!

EPSON MX-80 F/T LOWI I

EPSON MX-100 F/T LOWI I

EPSON RX-80 LOWI I

EPSON RX-80 F/T LOWI I

GEMINI 10X LOWI I

GEMINI 15X LOW! 1

GORILLA BANANA PRINTER 189.95

IDS MICROPRISM 479.95

IDS PRISM 132 1299.95

IDS PRISM 132C - COLOR 1499.95

JUKI 6100 PRINTER (P) 549.95

MANNESMANN TALLY MT160L 599.95

MANNESMANN TALLY MT180L 799.95

MANNESMANN TALLY MT1802 1499.95

NEC 3550 SPINWRITER-IBM 1754.95
NEC 8025 120 CPS 136 COL 719.95

OKIDATA MICROLINE 80 299.95

OKIDATA PACEMARK 2350S 1999.95

OKIDATA PACEMARK 2350S 2199.95

OKIDATA PACEMARK 2410P 2329.95

OKIDATA PACEMARK 2410S 2499.95

OKIDATA 82A W/GRAPHICS 379.95

OKIDATA 83A W/GRAPHICS 579.95

OKIDATA 84P 1049.95

OKIDATA 84S 1129.95

OKIDATA 92P 449.95

OKIDATA 93P 729.95

OKIDATA 93S 829.95

PRINTMASTER (DAISY) 1549.95

PROWRITER I PRINTER 344.95

PROWRITER II PRINTER 619.95

C ITOH 8600BP 979.95

QUME SPRINT 11/40+ 1399.95
SANYO PR5500 DAISY WHEEL 659.95

SILVER-REED 550 DAISY 699.95

STAR DELTA-10 160CPS LOW! I

STARWRITER DAISY WHEEL 1099.95

TOSHIBA P-1350 LP 1579.95

TRANSTAR 315 COLOR 449.95

TRANSTAR 120P 14CPS 464.95

TRANSTAR 13 OP 18CPS 699.95

TRANSTAR 140S 40CPS 1229.95

EPSON SERIAL (RS-232) 134.95

GRAFITTI CARD 84.95

GRAPPLER + 119.95

MICROBUFFER II 16K 144.95

PKASO INTERFACE 129.95

WIZARD BPO 16K 129.95

WIZARD SOB 16K 179.95

OTHER PRINTERS AVAILABLE

COMMODORE 64
COMMODORE 1541 DRIVE
IBM PC

LOW! I
LOWI 1
LOWI 1

COLUMBIA VP PORTABLE 2349.95
COLUMBIA COMPLETE SYS. 2649.95

IBM-PC COMPATIBLE SYSTEM
128K, 2-DS/DD DRIVES, KEYBOARD
AND COMPLETE SOFTWARE PACKAGE

CORVUS CONCEPT MC68000 $3199

256K, 8" FLOPPY DRIVE

COMPLETE SOFTWARE PACKAGE

BI-DIRECTIONAL 8-1/2X11 SCREEN

CORVUS CONCEPT 512K $3599

EAGLE PC II 128K SYSTEM 2649.95
EAGLE SPIRIT XL 3649.95
PORATABLE 12BK RAM EXPANDABLE
TO 640K RAM ON BOARD, 1 320K
FLOPPY 10 MEGABYTE HARD DISK,
IBM COMPATABLE KEYBOARD ,
MONOCHROME MONITOR, 2 SERIAL &
1 PARALLEL PORT, MS DOS 2.0,
GW BASIC, CP/M 86
KAYPRO II 1449.95

LEADING EDGE

IBM COMPATABLE COMPUTER

8088 MPC 7. 16 MHZ

7 EXPANSION SLOTS, BUILT IN

CLOCK, PARALLEL AND SERIAL

PORTS, 128K RAM, MONITOR,

WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE.

CALL FOR LOW PRICE I

NEC APC-H01 $2049

NEC APC-H02 $2549

NEC APC-H03 $3049

SANYO MBC 550 SYSTEM 769.95
SANYO WBC-1000 1529.95

TELEVIDEO 16-BIT DESKTOP

128K 8088 5MHZ DUAL 360K DRIVES

INCLUDES CP/M $3499.95

TELEVIDEO 910 TERMINAL 549.95
TELEVIDEO 925 TERMINAL 789.95
TELEVIDEO 970 TERMINAL 1199.95

ZENITH Z-120 ALL-IN-ONE

BUILT-IN GREEN SCREEN

DUAL DRIVES SPECIAL $2999.95

APPLE //<; NOW AVAILABLE

PLEASE CALL FOR OUR LOW PRICE

FRANKLIN ACE 1000 W/COLOR LOW! I

FRANKLIN ACE 1200 SYSTEM LOWI I

DISKETTES

ELEPHANT DISKETTES SS/SD 16.95
ELEPHANT DISKETTES SS/DD 19.95
ELEPHANT DISKETTES DS/DD 25.95

ALS CP/M CARD
AMDEK AMDISK 3" DISK DR
APPLE-CAT II
APPLE DUMPLING GX
4TH DIMENSION DRIVE+CTRL
4TH DIMENSION DRIVE-ONLY
HAYES MICROMODEM He
KENSINGTON SYSTEM SAVER
KOALA GR/TABLET W/SFTWR
LAZER MICROSYSTEM DRIVE
MICRO-SCI A2 DRIVE ONLY
MICRO-SCI A2 W/CTRL-CARD
MOUNTAIN MUSIC SYSTEM
MOUNTAIN ROM WRITER
PREMIUM SOFTCARD He
QUADRAM 64K80COL CRD He
RANA ELITE I W/CTRL-CARD
RANA ELITE II W/CTRL
RANA ELITE III W/CTRL
SOUNDCHASER MUSIC SYSTEM
SOFTCARD (Z-80 CARD)
SWEET P PLOTTER
TG JOYSTICK W/TOGGLE He
TRANSMODEM 1200
WICO APPLE MOUSE

IBM

KOALA PAD TOUCH TABLET
KRAFT JOYSTICK
MICROSOFT SYSTEMCRD 256K
MICROSOFT MOUSE
MOUSE SYSTEMS PC MOUSE
QUADLINK APPLE EMULATOR
QUADRAM QUADBOARD I 64K
QUADRAM QUADCOLOR I
QUADRAM QUADCHROME MON
QUADRAM QUADSCREEN MON
RANA DS/DD DISK DRIVE
STB SUPER I/O MULTIFUNCT
TG JOYSTICK W/TOGGLE
TRANSEND P.C. MODEM 1200
VERSAWRITER GRAPH TABLET
WIZARD SPOOLER P/S 16K

CBM-64WARE

CARDBOARD/ 5 5 SLOT EXPAN.

CARDKEY/ 1

DATA20 Z80 VIDEOPAK

HES MODEM I

KOALA GRAPH TABLET W/SFT

VIC/64 SWITCH

MKRRY

CHRISTMAS

PEGGY

299.95
239.95
264.95
119.95
289.95
199.95
249.95
64.95
99.95
189.95
239.95
299.95
289.95
134.95
334.95
124.95
349.95
499.95
649.95
619.95
234.95
459.95
49.95
499.95
124.95

99.95
54.95
449.95
134.95
224.95
489.95
289.95
229.95
524.95
549.95
259.95
169.95
49.95
399.95
239.95
239.95

54.95
32.95

224.95
64.95
79.95

1 19.95

EAT any advertised price - Caff US today! £

■ _

1-800-222-2602

CaIIFornia Diq.TAl

Post Office Box 3097 B • Torrance, California 90503

FREE*

Plastic library case supplied with all
diskettes purchased from California Diyital

$

19?5

M.inuiaclurcd .or Calilornia D.jital by one.
of ihe most n spacled pioducers ol toatt
neiic me&i: Each dishetic s double den-
sity al 40 Hi.li ns. To msure extended medi. i
'ile ah dWeites are manutni rod with ..
reinlorfiijuui

Each box f.i mskelles is Sut ed with a
Irea plastic bb'.'iry case
fo!(6actorCAL-S0T:Tenseclo 'AL-sio.
Also Available Double sided soft sec-
tor diskettes for use with the IBM/PC

CAL-551 $24.95
looted

■;kettes

5V4" DISKETTES

WITH LIBRARY CASE

•26L"

Your Choice

SCOTCH
MEMOREX
j VERBATIM

Single Side Double Density
Soil Sector 10 Sector 16 Sector

SCOTCH

MEMOREX

VERBATIM

MAXELL

DYSAN

744D-0

3481

525-01

MD1

104/1D

744D-10

3483

525-10

MH1-10

107/1D

744D-16

3485

NA

MH1-16

NA

26.50

26.50

26.50

26.50

45.00

Double Side Double

Density

SCOTCH

745-0

745-10

745-16

39.00 I

VERBATIM

550-01

550-10

NA

42.50 !

MAXELL

MD2-D

MH2-10D

MH2-16D

45.00

DYSAN

104/2D

107/2D

NA

49.50

DYSAN 96

204/2D

NA

NA

59.50

EIGHT INCH DISKETTES

Single Side Single Denshy

Single side Double Density

SCOTCH

7400

29.50

SCOTCH

741-0

39.00

MEMOREX

3060

29.50

MEMOREX

3090

35.00

DYSAN

3740/1

39.50

DYSAN

3740/D

57.50

Thirty Two Sector

Double side Double Density

SCOTCH 1 740-32 1 29.50

SCOTCH

743-0

47.50

FliOiF'luV. store.. 50 disk INC-525 1895

MEMOREX

3114

39.50

ScoitiiMaariciop
PbuiK library en

nkit5<:&8 MM
BSS' ,48 SPA

W-C.S23 95
VL5 2 9S

DYSAN

3740/2D

65.00

23"

.COMPOSITE
MONITOR

*159

Ideal monitor

for classroom

I demonstrations.

'.. around a 12'
"■asonabla price,
-..ipalsgeneraledby
.md in second you a

cue and lor safety ' '

your opportunity 1<

enclosed Wood grained

VISA

SPECIAL

Shugart 410

*129

These Shugart 410 5'.f disk drives are all factory I

fresh 1 9P3 production, recently purchased from the I

Four Phase Division ol the Motorola Corporalion.

TheSO disk drives are single sided 80 track i 96 TPI) I

Suitable lor use wilh the Radio Shack Model i and Model 3. Or any other

application lhat can supporl an 80 track second drive such as Ihe IBM/PC The

4 1 0 it lull heigh! and functionally Ihe same as the Tandon TM 1 00-3 Complete

with puwer connector and installation manual.

When those Shugart 410 s are liquidated ihe price will reverl lo our regular

pnceolS249, SHu-SA4io

MEMORY"

m DYNAMIC

2.95

4116 150ns.

64K DYNAMIC

5.95

4164 150ns

2732 EPROM

4.95

450ns.

16K STATIC

4.95

6116 200ns.

BLOWOUT

SALE

<169

DYNAMIC MEMORY

4027 4K dynamic 250(is.
■HID 150ns 16K
.1116200ns IGK
4164 150ns 64KI28rr:lrc
.11256 150ns 256K
OPfl-109 dyn.imic controller _

21L02 20Ons iKsial'
21L02 450ns IKst..!.
2112450ns 2K sialic
2114 300ns iKxJ
•IO-WTMS450ii5 4K
5257 300r)S JK « I
61 lbP4 200ns 2Ki
6116 PI I Win:; 2K i

ICM

16200

64 150

256150

8409

7 2167 torn

.'/OH -150ns. tK»8
:>7l6450ns 2K«B
:.'7ltiTMS 450ns Tri-
2732 450ns 4K x B
2732 350ns 4K * H
2532 450ns 4K«B
2764 350ns BK K 6
27128 350ns IGK >t
:'r)17EEP.OM 2K i 0

STATIC MEMORY

■CM-21L02200
ICM-2IL02450
ICM-2 112450
ICM-2 114300
ICM-4044.I50
ICM-52573O0
ICM-6 1I62O0
ICM-61 16150
ICM-ljl 67100

EPROMS

ICE-270G
ICE-27I6
ICE-2716TMS
tCE-2732
ICE -2732350
ICE-2532
ICE -2764
ICE-27128
ICE -281 7

5 35 4 97

ailabic Mar B4
35 00 29.00

3 75
800
990
565

CONMJLCTORS

DB25P

S-100Gold

<fm

GOLD S-10O EDGE CARD CONNECTORS
catalog aach 10-90 lOO-r

Imsais'l 250 CNE-IMS 2.95 2.50 2 19
SullinsHi/Rcl CNEHIO0 4 19 3.85 347
S-IOOWiroW CNE-WIO 3 95 3 50 3 19
Allan 140 S/t CNE-IO0A 4 95 i 50 4 19

156" CENTER EDGE CARD CONNECTORS
22/44 Eyolol CNE-44E 2.50 2 15 195
43/72 MOID S'lCNE-72S 6 60 6 15 5 75
36/72 D/Gs'l CNE-72S 5.95 5 50 5 19
Olhor connectors available upon mquesl

RIBBON CONNECTORS

DB25Pmale CNO-r25P 5 65 5 25 4 15

OB2SS fomala CND-r2SS 5.95 5 59 4.50

57-30360 mala CNC-r36P 7 95 6 75 5.90

57-303601 male CNC-r36S 7 95 6 75 5 90

20 pin edge CNI-DE20 4 35 3 30 2 50

20pinsockot CNI-DS20 2 75 1 B5 160

26pmodga CN1-DE26 4.95 3 50 2.70

26pm50ckel CNI-DS26 3.50 2 40 2 15

34 pin edge CNIDE34 4 95 4 50 3 50

34 pm sockel CNI-DS34 4 50 3 95 3 15

SOpmodge CNI-DES0 5 95 5 60 4 90

SOpinsockel CNIDS50 4 95 4 60 380

"BPTttf catalog

DE9P male CND-9P

DE9S female CND-9S

OE hood CND-9H

OA15Pmaie CND-15P

DAiSSIemale CNL 'SS

DA15hood CND-15H

0825P mala CND-25P

DB25S lemale CND-2SS

D625 hood CND25H

DC37Pmaie CND-37P

DC37S lemale CND-37S

DC37hood CND-37H

DD50Pmaia CND-SOP

DO50hood CND-50H

Hardware 2/sel CND-2HS

■Kh 10-99 100 +

1 .60 1 40 1 .30

225 2.00 1.30

1 50 1 35 1 .20
2.35 3 10 2.90

3 25 3 10 2.90
1.60 1.35 1.30
2.50 1 95 1 65
3.35 2.75 1 95
135 1 15 77

4 20 3 95 3 65

5 95 5 75 5.50
2.25 1.95 1.65
5 50 5 10 4 75

2 60 2 40 2 10
99 69 .42

AMPHENOL/ CENTRONICS TYPE

57-30360 36/P CNC-36P 7.95 6 35 4.91
IEEE48B. CdorCND-24P 7 95 6 35 5.3!

DISK DRIVE POWER CONNECTORS
8 6 pin DC CNP-6DC 195 129 Bi
8 3 ACSgl S CNP-3SS 1 69 1 09 6!
B 3 AC Dpi S CNP-3DS I 69 I 09 6!
5'- 4pmDC CNP-4DC I 79 i 19 9!
3pmDINrecpt CNP D3P 2 59 199 15!

IS Hi MMWil mmm i i ■' i

COD s discouraged,
xtended to state supported educational inslilu-
1 a'-dstreel" rating

mdale 90280.

California Digital has recently participated n

Ihe purchase of several thousand Siemensl

FDD 100-8 floppy disk drives. These uniis are electronically and physically

similiar lo lhat of the Shugart 801R. All units are new and shipped in factory

sealed boxes. Manual and power connectors supplied free upon request. Your

choice 1 1 5 Volt. 60 Hz. or 230 Volt. 50Hz.

NOTE! European cuslomers, we have a largo quantity ol 230 voll 50 Hi uniis warertousod in
Frankfort Germany Arrangements can be made lo will call these drives in quantities ol 50 or

ftaflktofl roduemg import duly and freight cl

REMEX

DOUBLE £

SIDED

219

California Digilal has iusi purchased a large quanlity of Remex RFO-4000
Eight inch double sided disk drives. Remex is the only double sided disk
drive lhat has an double gimbal mounted head assembly thai guaranl«s lower
head tracking. This drive is mechanically solid Remex has always been
known for producing premiere products lor Ihe lloppy disk market. The Remex
company is a subsidiary of the Ex-cell-o Corporalion. a Fortune 500 Company.

Eight Inch Single Sided Drives

SHUGART 801R
SHUGART 810 Half Height
SIEMENS FDD 100-8
TANDON 848E-1 Half Height

One Two Ten

385 375 365

385 375 365

169 169 159

369 359 349

Eight Inch Double Sided Drives

SHUGART SA851R
SHUGART 860 Half Height
QUME 842 -'QUME TRACK 8"
TANDON 848E-2 Half Height
REMEX RFD-4000
MITSUBISHI M2894-63

495 485 475

485 475 459

459 459 449

459 447 465

219 219 209

379 375 369

MITSUBISHI M2896-63 Half Ht. 459 449 409

Five Inch Single Sided Drives

SHUGART SA400L 235 229 225

SHUGART SA410 96TPI/80 Trk. 129 119 call

SHUGART SA200 % Height 159 149 139

TANDON TM100-1 189 179 175

Five Inch Double Sided Drives
SHUGART SA450
SHUGART SA455 Half Height
SHUGART SA465 Halt Ht. 96TPI
TANDON TM50-2 Half Height
TANDON TM55-4 hall Ht. 96TPI
TANDON 100-2

TANDON 101-4 96TPI 80 Track
MITSUBISHI 4851 Half Height
MITSUBISHI 4853 Vz Ht. 96TPI
MITSUBISHI 4854 VzHt., 8" elec.
QUME 142 Half Height
TEAC FD-55B Half Height

Five Inch Winchester Hard Disks Drives

SHUGART 612 13 M/Bytes 895 865 825

SHUGART 706 6M/Byte, Half Ht 795 775 755

SHUGART712 13M/By1e, V2Ht. 895 865 825

SEAGATE 506 6 M/Byte 495 475 455

TANDON 503 19 M/Byte 895 875 855

Upon request, all drives are supplied
with power connectors and manual

ENCLOSURES

California Digital manufactures an asorlment ol stock and custom disk drive
enclosures. It the volume is justified we will custom design an enclosure lor
your applicalion. The lollowing stock disk drive enclosures are available.
All include power supplies Ihe 8" enclosures are supplied with exhausl fans.

319

309

299

259

249

239

289

279

269

215

209

199

329

319

309

279

269

259

369

355

350

259

249

245

339

329

319

465

449

439

239

229

219

299

389

275

Horizontal mount two 8" lull
height drives. S279.00

Vertical mounl two full height 8
disk drives. S299.00

Horizontal mount one lull height
or two half height B' disk
drives. S239 00

Vertical mount Iwo lull heighi 5' i
disk drives S139O0

TOLL FREE ORDER LINE

(800) 421-5041

TECHNICAL & CALIFORNIA

(213) 643-9001

CaIiFornia DiqiTAl

Post Office Box 3097 B • Torrance, California 90503

LIBERTY £

FREEDOM 50

475

Tha Liberty Freedom 50 lemiinal feature* detach-
able keyboard with 93 keys including, 10 function
keys. !5grapniesymbot5, and DIP swiicn selectable
character se< lot 7 foreign languages The 12 inch
etched non-glare green phosphor screen displays
24 rows by 60 characters in 7x9 main* with irue
descenders- Sell lesi and 25th data display row also
included. Switch selectable baud rales from no-
i u L'OO baud Screen attnOutes do not use display memory. a:lowing operator to display a lull 1 920
characters Emulates 5 popular CRT terminals lo< easy software configuration. Switch selectable
I IS and 230 volt We have never seen a terminal wnh all these features lor the incredibly
0 Ol Only $J75 LIB-FSO 40 lbs.

DIABLO

Word Processing Printer

'879

Now Irom lire originator ol the daisy wheel printer, the Diablo 620 Pnnl speeds Ic
user selectable bi directional printing, superscripts, subscripts, graphics and more.
RS-232 mierlacing Communication speeds to 1200 baud witha 1500 character pnnt butler
Software prog>»maOie absofule horizontal tabs makes report 'ormatlmg easy Over 20 ditfereni
print wheels are currently available The 620 automatically selects Ihe print spacing lor 10. 12 IS
char/inchpnntwhcels On sue service available worldwide DBL-620 5010s

Your Choice

Second Drive or Monitor^

SANYO

IBM COMPATIBLE

'99$

- ."m.

■'-'"'"

Sanyo Electronics has just released the lor g awaited IBM/PC look-a-like. the
MBC-550. This is a complete microcomputer that includes 128K/byte of
memory, a 5V4" 160K/byte disk drive upgradeable to 320K/byte drives. Also
includes both color composite and RGB graphics interface, low profile key-
board, and parallel printer port. Extensive software such as Sanyo Basic, disk
utilities, Wordstar word processing software, Calcstar spread sheet & Easy
Writer I. MS-DOS is supplied with the Sanyo computer. Most programs
written for the IBM/PC will operate on the MBC-550.
Along with all this California Digital offers "FREE" your choice of either a
second disk drive, or a high resolution green or amber screen monitor. All at
the super low price of only $995.

We are currently experiencing an initial shortage of this computer. Please
place your orders early. The MBC-550 will be shipped on a first crdered basis.

PRINTERS

*289

Star Gemini

MATRIX PRINTERS

I Slar Gemini- lOX 120chflr/sec 4Kbu1fer

Star Gwmni'lfi lOOctiar /soc 15 paper
I Slar Gcmmi Delta 10 160Char/sec

Star Coe> 80FT fncWI A tractor

iaP1350 192 ctinr/sec teller quality
a 62A serial 8 parallel 9' r paper

OiiJiH.'i^A parallel interface. 1G0 char/sec
■ Okidaia83A 4 parallel 15 paper

Okidata84A 4 parallel 15 paper

OkirJaia 2350 (new| 350 char/sec

llfisofiF'XBO 10 160char/SCC.wilhgrar)Hira>

EpsonMXIOOwiiligraphirax IS paper

NECfl023Apa(alol9'; paper . graphics

Anadex950tAhigh speed with graphics

Afurlu- %;,()A 200 cliiii/SBC pai I A senal

Quantm 70J0 corc-spondonco quality IBOchar,

Gorilla low cost dot matnx printer

Prowriterfi510para1lel9'-- paper

Piownier II pansW 15 paper, graphics

D.ilapioUm;!;. O'liOO-:! h.inrJ printer riOOLPM

Prmironix P300 rutin speed printer 300 tmes per

Pnntronii P600 i-tna high speed 600 linos per m

Mannesman Taiy tGOL serial 4parl iGOchar

NEC7710 55 1
NEC7730 55 c
NEC3550 pop

sec par I mte
H desigr
BM PC

20 cl

c par

Silver Reed EXPSOO

Silver Reod EXP; 50 1 7 Char.sec par I interface

Diablo630 40char,'sec senal

Diablo S20 proportional spacing horz Avert lab

Juki6<00 Iflcha' -sec graphemode

Brother HR t A daisy wneel parallel in teH ace

Brotner HR t A senal interface

Slarwnler F 10 serial 40 char/sec

StarwriterFtOparallel 4Qchar'sec

ComrexCRl word processing printer senal mtr

Comrei CR2 Sk bu'ler proportional spacing par

STR-G15

385 00

STUDIO

439 00

VST-CBOFT

229 00

T0S-13M

1469.00

OKI-flZA

37900

OKI-92A

479.00

OKI-83A

619.00

OKI-8JA

1024 00

OK1-2350

1995.00

EPS.FX80

575.00

EPS MX 100

645 00

NEC-6023A

389 00

ADX-9501A

1099 00

ADX9620A

1 199.00

3C OTX-7030

1595.00

PRO- 7500

189 00

PRO-6510P

343 00

PRO-2P

689.00

DPS B600

6985.00

mule PTX-P300

4250.00

ule PTX-P60O

5795 00

,ec MAN-160L

559 00

3 PRINTERS

NEC -77 10

1939 00

NEC -7730

1939 00

C NEC -3550

1799.00

1 NEC-2050

995 00

SRD-EXP500

459 00

SRD-EXP550

659 00

D8L-630

1765 00

20cps DBL-620

879 00

JUK-6100

539 00

8TH-H3IP

69500

BTH-H31S

779 00

PRO-FiOS

1 125.00

PRO-F10P

1125 00

CRX-CRiS

729 00

1 CRX-CR2P

495 00

MONITORS

BMC 12A groon pnosphor 15 MHz composn

BMC 12 high resolution 20MH*

ZenithZVM122 Amber Phosphor 12 40 '80 column swuch

2entlhZVMi23c.reen phosphor 12 40^80 column switch

NEC JB1201 green phosphor IB MHz composn video

NEC JBI 260 commercial grade composn

Motorola 23 open Iramc Wk/whno composn video
Motorola 1 2 open irame requires horz sync and power
Conrac9 Open Iramo requrros horz sync & 12v supply

COLOR
BMC AU9 19 1 U Color composn video with sound
BMC 9 1 91 M RGB designed tor use with (he IBM computer
NECJCI203DM RGB color mornlor
NEC JC 1201 color composit
Zonnh ZVMi.34 RGB color suitable lor IBM PC

Convex COlOr cemposit with sound

BMC-12A

BMC-12EN

ZTH-122

ZTH-Z123

NEC-JB1201

NEC-JB1260

USI-12A

MOT-8W23

MOT-8W12

CON-BW9

BMC-9191

BMC-9I91M

NEC- 1203

NEC-JC1201

ZTH-Z134

COV1-6500

AMK-lOO

79 00
134 00
11900
1OS00
169.00
129.00
169.00
159 00
69.00
59 00

249.00
499 00
699.00
339.00
379 00
329 00
329 00

Hayes Smart Modem 1 200 bi

Hayes I200B for VM With ihe IBM/PC. i200baud

Hayes Smatmodem. 300 baud only autoanswer, a

Hayes Micromodem II, 103 Apple direct connect

Hayes Micromodem lOO S 100 auto answer, auto d

Hayes Chronograph lime 4 date

US Robolics212A 3OO.'120O baud, auto dial.'answ

Pennl 300/1200 ajto dial autolog

Universal Data 103LP. line power answer a original

Universal Data 103LPJ. Auto answer

Universal Data 202. 1200 baud halt duple- only

Universal Data 21 2LP lull 1200 baud duplex, line pc

Novation J Cal direel conned autoanswer

ation Cat acoustic cornea
. Novation SmanCil 103 autoanswer autodial

Novation Sman Cat 103.-212 1200 baud auto di
Signalman Mark I. dVocl connect with lermm

HVS-212AD

47495

HYS.1200B

44900

HYS-103AO

229 00

HYS-MM2

279.00

HYS-100

319.00

HYS-CHR232

199 00

USR-212A

43900

PEN-12AD

695 00

UDS-103LP

169 00

UDS-I03LPJ

21900

UDS-202LP

21900

UDS-212LP

359.00

NOV-JCAT

115 00

NOV-CAT

159 00

NOVSC103

219.00

NOVSC2I2

529 00

SGL-MK1

69 00

■V

The Wyse iOO features die cast
aluminum case. 1 02 key keyboard
and non-glare 26 line green phos-
phor video display Spin screen
bolh honzonial an vertical makes
Ihe WY- 1 00 unusally user friendly
This unique terminal is perJec! to
enhance any business system.

795

256 KILOBYTE

MEMORY BOARD

49$

im

Freedom 50 spin screen tjetaichaoio keyboard
Visual 50. detatchabie. keyboard selectable settings.
Visual 50 Green screen
Visual 330. emulator, 1 4 inch green phosphor
Ampex Dialogue t25 green screen, two page tunc keys
AmpexDialOuge 125 amber screen (wo page, tunc keys
Wyse 50. 14 green phosphor
Wyse 100. horz 4 vert split screon, metal enclosure
Wyse 300. Eight color display, spin screen
Teievideo 9 lO Plus, block mode
Televideo 925. defatchablo keyboard 22 luncnon keys
Teievideo 950. graphic char. .split screen. 22 tunc
Televideo 970 14 green screen 132 column. European
ial.VT52 compatible detatchabie koyboar

Zenith 29 te

LI8-F50

VSL-SO

VSL-50G

VSL-330I4G

APX-D125G

APX-DI25A

WYS'50

WYS-100

WYS-300

TVI-910P

TVI-925

TVI9S0

TVI-970

ZTH.Z29

475 00
619 00
650 00
925 00
G75 00
68500
595.00
795 00

1159.00
575.00
759 00
950 00

1095 00
765.00

Apple ll/e. 64K computer only
Apple ll/e starter kit. monitor, disk. 80 col. card.
Advanced Busness Tech. 1 3 Key Pad
Calif. Computer 7710A Async. Senal Interface
Calif. Computer 7710B same but for modem
Calif. Computer 71 14A 12K PROM module
Calif. Computer 7720A parallel interface
Calif. Computer 7724A Calandar/clock modual
Calif. Computer 7729A Centronics interface
Calif. Computer 7740A programmable timer
California Digital 16K card for standard Apple II
Hayes Micromodem 11 for Apple II
Kensington Micro, System saver Ian
Microsoft Softcardwilh CP/M; Z-80
Mountain Computer The Clock
Mountain Computer AD/DA 16 input, 8bit
Mountain Computer ROM Plus with keybb. fitter
Mountain Computer ROM writer/socket socket
Orange Micro "GRAPPLER " parallel interface
Sorrento Valley fl" conlroller double side D/D.
TEAC 5Va" disk drive for Apple II
Vista Vision 80: 80 column card for std, Apple II
Visia 8" disk conlroller double side D/D.

ASCII
KEYBOARD

APL-2E
APL-2ESK

ABT-13B

CCS-7710

CCS-7710B

CCS-7114

CCS-7720

CCS-7724

CCS-7729

CCS-7740

CAL-A16

HYS-MM2

KEN-SF1

MSF-SFTCD

MTN-TCLK

MTN-ADDA

MTN-RMF

MTN-ROMW

OMS-G2

SVA223

TEA-A2

VSA-VISBO

VSA-A800

1 '

• 256 kjlobrltl at mimgry wing 64K dynimic RAM. I

• Ow»r am HMM ol memory using. Ihi new
2MK «yumTc RAM chips.

• Error detecliofl trap capability.

• individual 1BK block cm bt rtlncatad to any
boundry within i mirjibyli ol RAM.

• 24 bit iddretiinrj ind chintom modi r.ipjBiilty

The California Digital 256K RAM board represents an ou I standing value in S- 100 memory technology. Priced sirghty above

earlier generation 64K dynamic ram boards il gives you these aodiiional lealurot 256K ol memory with parity. Parity error

feature can be lumperedto any of the interrupt lines, a status pen. ERROR LED. or IEEE-696 'ERROR signal. 24 or IGbil

addressing witn memory management

Proper operation wilh Iron) panel equipped systems. DMA disk controllers, and IEEE-696 Temporary Buss Masters

assured wilh an on the board M1 generator for memory relresh timing. CAS and RAS riming is conirolled with tapped digital

delay lines lor proper operation over Ihe entire operating temperature range.

The board is very tocent »t design using Ihe Natrona! Semiconductor DP-M09 RAM Conlroller chip. Spin termination

networks are used on all address linos. CAS tine, and RAS lines eliminating the last traces ol ringing. The board uses two

separate vollage regulators. One lor Ihe DRAMs and one lor the interface logic increasing the noise immunity ol the ram

array. Typical power dissipation is S watts.

Documentation includes theory ol operation, configuration guide, a schematic, and applicatron notes on the use ol the

memory management options. CAL-256K 2 Lbs.

S-100 BOARDS

STATIC MEMORY BOARDS

GorJbout(laml6.64K 16biirJalalrans GBT-R16 459 00

GorJDOulRaml7. 64K 8 bil 24 Oiladdress GBTR17 359 00

GodtX)utRam?1. 12SKbyle8/lElunslr?r GBTR21 BS900 |

Fulcrum 0mniRani8'l6trjnsler bank FCM-RS16 391

Cahlornia Computer ?1 1G. Don only CCS-21I6 24!

DYNAMIC MEMORY BOARDS

California Digital 256K eipand lo I Meg CAL-0256 49!
California Comp 2066. 64Kbankseied CCS-206E 295 00 |

INTERFACE BOARDS

Godooui bdjffmtl 2seriaipons GBT-133A

Godboullnlertactrii. t serial 3 pat I pons GBTI50A
Godbool imerlaccr III. with 5 serial norts GBT135A
Godboul Inlcrlacei III. wilh B serial ports GBT136A
Godbul inlerlacer IV. 3 serial. 2 parallel GBT-187A
CalilofniaCompulcr27i0.4sfiaiporis CCS-27IO
CalilomiaCompultr2719 2 serial. 2 par | CCS-2719
CalilorniaCompiil,;r2720. i port pan CCS-2720
California CompuiDf 2830. 6 port senal CCS-2B30
Morrow Designs Multrboatd 3 S/2P MDS-MTLI

49

Cal if or ma Digital has purchased

over 3000 ol those Mirjoswrlch

keyboards Irom the General Oynamics Corporation 93 ASCII encoded Hall effect

switches includes 8 function keys and 14 key numenc cluster make Ihis keyboard an

excelled value at only S49 MIC-93GD S lbs

We also have available a matching General Dynamics sloe! mm panel S10

al contact keyboard HIK<S8S2495 Matching ISkey
Both lor only S29 95 HIK-5815

Stiij jj-'if lit. First five pounds SJ .00. ■
Foreign orders: 10°o shipping, l-xc
Caltlorma residents add 6' **» sales
Open accounts extended to state s

16 BIT MICROPROCESSORS

Octagon dual CPU 8088/Z80. & conlroller OCT-B8Z80 795 00

SINGLE BOARD COMPUTERS

insigtit EO-4. 128K. 4 serial noi S-100 INS*-E04 595 00

Advanced Digital. Floppy & 54K AMD-ZBO 750 00

Teletek System master 765floppy.HK TEL-SMI 895 00

Telelek FDC-1 single board, no memory TEL-FDC1 675 00

8 BIT MICROPROCESSORS

Godboul Z80. 24 bit eitendtd add GBT-Z80 250 00

Cahloima Computer Z60 microprocessor CCS-2B10 275 00
Tarbell ZBO with two R5232 ports TAR-ZSO 339 00

339 00
350 00
22500
419 00
279.00
389 00

FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLERS

Godboul Disk 1 . double density. GBT-DSKI

California Compuler 2422A wilh CPM CCS-2422

Morrow Disk Jockey tl wilh CPM 2.2 MDS-DJ2

Morrow Disk Jockey) with C^M.sgl Den MOS-DJI

Tarbell Electronics double density TAR-ODC

laiOell Electronics single density TAR-5DC

Fulcrum DMA OmniDisk. I/O lo hard disk FCM-DD 1

CPM OPERATING SYSTEM

Digital Research CP/M 3.0. II sgl. den DRC-CpM30 249.00

tPM2 .!o(}:sk I GBT-CpM22 15900

Godboul CPMB6 for SOBS and S0B6 GBT-CpMB5 265 00

Tarbell Electronics CPM 2.2 TAR-CpM22 159 00

HARD DISK CONTROLLERS

Oclagon hard disk controller wilh E/C. OCT-HD 1 475 00

Godboul Disk 2. Bi 14'ha'ddisk GBT-DSK2 569 00

Godboul Disk 3. lot 5V Winchesters GBT-DSK3 Nov.

Mamm Designs controller lor 5V Win MDS-W506 495.00

Western Digital new WD-1001 |i»lS-lOO| WOI-1001 495 00

EPROM BOARDS

Inner Access EPROM Bd programs 27128 IAC-P100 465 00

Digital Research PROM boarC 32K OGR-P32 1 19 00

SPECIAL FUNCTION BOARDS

Hayes SiOO Mictomodcm. 300 baud HVS-M100 325

OT Compuler clock calendar, battery DTC-CC 100 139

Godboul System support boarfl. 4K EPROMGBT-SYS I 350

Godboul System support board. 951 1 math GBT-S95 11 539 00 |

Dual Sysiems. 4 channel 12 bit D/Aconv DSC-A0MI2 619 00 I

Dual System 12 bit resolution 32 ch AID DSC-A1MI2 62900 I

MulltnsOplO'lsolalor conttolsBch MUMCBiO 17900 |

Mullms eiiendet board with logic & probe MUL-TS4 79 DO

l/D Technology wire wrap prototype I0T-W100 49 00 I

Artec Electronics wire wrap prototype ART WW 100 2500 [

An ec E tec ironies general purpose solder ARTGP100 2500 j

MAINFRAMES & MOTHER BOARDS

Eclipse Daia. slamless. 22 sloi
Godboul Enclosure 2. 20 slots
CalifotniaComputer2200 l2slot
California Digital ISslal mother be
GodOout I2slat mother board

EDP-100

GBT-MF2D

CCS-2200

CAL-MBI8

GBT-MB12

695 0(
675 00 1

CP/M SOFTWARE

AdaSoftCP/M

D-Base II

Wordstar

Mailmerge

Spellstar

Multiplan

Macro 80

ADA-44SC 395.00
ASH-015C 429.00
MPR-187C 309.00
MPR-392C 169.00
MPR-429C 169.00
MSF-483C 189.00
MSF-187C 139.00

Supersoft
MAC
CP/M 3.0
Despool
Pascal Plus
CP/M 86
MP/M II

MPR-309C 149.00
DGR-401C 85.00
DGR-410C 249.00
DGR-367C 45.00
DGR-004C 429.00
DGR-186C 239.00
DGR-208C 379.00

tic

Additional Software available tor Apple, IBM/PC and
Atari. Please telephone tor price and availability.

TOLL FREE ORDER LINE

(800) 421-5041

TECHNICAL & CALIFORNIA

(213) 643-9001

VIDEO DISPLAYS

PERIPHERALS FOR THE IBM PC

look for low cost-
high quality video
displays

VIDEO TERMINAL

BOARD. This is a com-
plete stand alone Video
Terminal board. All that
is needed besides this
board is a parallel ASCII
keyboard, standard
NTSC monitor, and a
powersupply. It displays
80 columns by 25 lines
of UPPER and lower
case characters. Data is
transtered by RS232 at
rates of 1 10 to 9600 baud
—switch selectable. Complete source listing is included in the
documentation. Both the CRT program and the character
generator are in 2716 EPROMS to allow easy modification to your
needs. This board uses a 6502 microprocessor and a 6845 crt
controller. The serial input port is interrupt driven. Assembled and
tested part number 82-018A $199.95. The bare board with the
crystal and EPROMS, part number 82-018B $89.95

■ammvsraS"'

■.-•.*:.:■

ItEiliPll

M xf iff

*"" -">2fe^hft t

^V^T j'>r.^^*'^Tjf'"

t^*1

MINI VIDEO. This board can be used to add a video display to
your aim or other computer. It can also, with the addition of a
parallel keyboard, 5V power supply, and video monitor, run Tom
Plttman's Tiny Basic. The display format is 40 columns by 24
lines. This board has two parallel ports (6522), a 6502 MPU 4K
RAM, 2 or 4K EPROM. The assembled video board without
EPROMS, part number 82-140A $149.95. The Tiny Basic EPROM
$39.95. The character generator EPROM $19.95. The parallel input
EPROM $19.95.

To order: Send check or money order. Add 6.5% tax in California.
Add 5% shipping for orders less than $100 or 3% for orders over
$100 or 10% outside U.S.A. Phone orders: We accept Visa or MC.
Add $2.00 for C.O.D. Will Call Hours 9am to 4pm.

look for low cost-
high quality inter-
faces for the IBM PC

UNIVERSAL I/O. The Universal I/O board has 16 eight
bit analog inputs with a voltage range of 0 to 5 volts. It
also has 9 eight bit parallel I/O ports. It has interrupt cir-
cuitry, Timer clock 32768 Hz. to 512 sec, prototyping
area, and LED for power. Part number 83-064A $299.95

120 VAC CONTROL. This board has eight optically
isolated triac switches. Each switch can control 200
watts. It connects via a 16 pin ribbon cable to a parallel
output port. Screw terminals are provided for 120 vac
connection. Part number 82-332. $119.95.

INPUT PROTECTOR. This board protects the inputs of
the ANALOG input or PARALLEL input ports. There are
4.7K pullups, diodes and caps for each line. It connects
via a 16 pin ribbon cable. Screw terminals are provided
for connection. Part number 82-334. $89.95.

To order: Send check or money order. Add 6.5% tax In California.
Add 5% shipping for orders less than $100 or 3% for orders over
$100 or 10% outside U.S.A. Phone orders: We accept Visa or MC.
Add $2.00 for C.O.D. Will Call Hours 9am to 4pm.

John Bell ■ John Bell

Engineering, Inc.

Engineering, Inc.

1014 CENTER ST.
SAN CARLOS, CA. 94070
(415) 592-8411

1014 CENTER ST.
SAN CARLOS, CA. 94070
(415) 592-8411

628 BYTE December 1983

Circle 45 on Inquiry card.

Circle 46 on inquiry card.

PERIPHERALS FOR THE APPLE II

INDUSTRIAL CONTROL PRODUCTS

look for low cost-
high quality inter-
faces for the APPLE II

6522 APPLE II
INTERFACE. This interface
plugs directly into slot 1
through 7 in the APPLE II or
the APPLE lie. It provides four
8 bit bi-directional I/O ports,
four 16 bit timer/counters, and
handshaking. Four 16 pin dip
sockets provide easy
connections to peripheral devices. This board is also used to run
the JBE EPROM Programmer. Order part # 79 295A assm. $69.95 or
# 79-295B bare board $29.95

EPROM PROGRAMMER.

Programs 5 volt 2716's, 2516's, and

2532's. It interfaces to the 6522

interface with 4 ribbon cables. A

Textool zero insertion force socket

is used for the EPROM. Complete

documentation for reading and

writing. Cables available

separately. Order part # 80-244A assm. $49.95 or # 80-244B bare

board 29.95 and set of 4 cables 2 ft. long $17.00

A-D CONVERTER. 16

Channel A-D plugs into your
APPLE II or APPLE lie. The 16
inputs are high impedance, 0 to
5 volt range, 8 bit resolution.
Conversion time is less than 100
us per channel. Two 16 pin dip
sockets are used for input.
Order part # 81-132A assm.
$89.95 or # 81-132B bare board $29.95

SPEECH SYNTHESIZER.

This board uses the VOTRAX
SC-01 Phoneme Synthesizer
chip. The on board audio amp
connects directly to an 8 ohm
speaker. A disk with a text to
speech program is included.
Order part #81-088 $129.95

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-

*"-'•!

ifftFTfnrirflWH

IIIIHIIIIIIIIIIII

To order: Send check or money order. Add 6.5% tax in California.
Add 5% shipping for orders less than $100 or 3% for orders over
$100 or 10% outside U.S.A. Phone orders: We accept Visa or MC.
Add $2.00 for C.O.D. Will Call Hours 9am to 4pm.

John Bell

Engineering, Inc.

1014 CENTER ST.
SAN CARLOS, CA. 94070
(415) 592-8411

look for low cost-
high quality indus-
trial computers

SLIM MICROCOMPUTER. This

6502 based 4.5" x 6.5" computer
has the same 44 pin bus as the AIM
computer. It has 2K RAM, 2K or 4K
EPROM, and four 8 bit parallel I/O
ports (two 6522's). The clock is 1
MHz crystal controlled and has
power on reset. This board was
designed for control and is ideal for personal and OEM use. This
computer can be expanded with the peripherals listed below. Order
part # 81-260A assm. $199.95 or #81-260B bare board $39.95

SIX SLOT MOTHER
BOARD. This board has 6 44
pin edge connectors
connected in parallel. The card
spacing is .750". It will mount
in VECTOR card cages. Order
part # 81-320A assm. $99.95 or
# 81-320B bare board $49.95.

12 PORT PARALLEL I/O.

This board has six 6522 VIA's.
This is a total of 96. I/O lines.
Each of the 12 8 bit ports also
has 2 handshake lines. Order
part # 82-036A assm. $169.95 or
# 82-036B bare board $49.95

1Hk3£$' 9$

RAM EPROM MEMORY (32K).

This board has 16 24 pin sockets

that will accept 2716 EPROM's or

6116 RAM's to total 32K bytes. The

memory is mapped from 0 to 7FFF.

The first 2K (0-7FF) can be

disabled with a jumper to allow for

the 2K of RAM on the SLIM

computer. Order part # 81-330A

assm. w/o memory $99.95 or # 81-330B bare board $49.95

ANALOG I/O INTERFACE. This
board has 16 analog inputs and 2
analog outputs. The inputs are 8 bit
(256 steps), 0-5 volt, high impedance
with a conversion time of 200us per
channel. The outputs are R-2R
ladders (R = 15K) driven between 0
and 5 volts and are 8 bit (256 steps)
also. Order part # 81-292A assm.
$199.95 or #81-292B bare board $49.95

To order: Send check or money order. Add 6.5% tax in California.
Add 5% shipping for orders less than $100 or 3% for orders over
$100 or 10% outside U.S.A. Phone orders: We accept Visa or MC.
Add $2.00 for C.O.D. Will Call Hours 9am to 4pm.

John Bell

Engineering, Inc.

1014 CENTER ST.
SAN CARLOS, CA. 94070
(415) 592-8411

Circle 47 on Inquiry card.

Circle 48 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 629

MICROPROCESSOR COMPONENTS W\ Dlgitalker

SN7400N
SN740IN
SN74Q2N
SN74D3N
SN7404N
SN7405N
SN74Q6N
SN7407N
SN740SN
SN7409N
SN74I0N
SN7411H
SH7412N
SN7413N
SM7414N
SN7416N
SN7417N
SN7420N
SN?421N
SN7422N
SN7423N
SN7425N
SN7426N
SN7427N
SN7428N
SH7430N
SN7432N
SN7437N
SN7438N
SN7439U
SN7440N
SN7441N
SN7442N
SN7443N
SN7444N
SN7445N
SM7446N
SN7447N
SN744BN
SN745QN
SM7451N
SN7453N
SN7454N
SN7459N
SN7460N
SN747QN

74LSOQ
74LS01
741. SQ2
741.S03
74LS04
74LS05
74LS0B
74LSQ9
74LS10
74LSII
74LS12
74LS13
74LS14
74LS15
74LS20
74LS21
74LS22
74LS26
74LS27
74LS2B
74LS30
74LS32
74LS33
74LS37
74LS38
74LS40
74LS42
74LS47
74LS48
74LS49
74LS51
74LSS4
74LS55
74LS73
74LS74
74LS75
74LS76
MLS78
74LS83
74LSB5
74LS86
74LS90

74S00
74S02
74S03
74S04
74SQS
74S08
74S09
74S10
74S11
74S15
74S20
74S22
74S30
74S32
74S38
74540
74S51
74S64
74S65
74S74
74S85
74S86
74S112
74S113

CA3010H
CA3039H
CA3046N
CA3059N
CA3Q60N
CA3065E
CA3D80E

CD4000

C04001

CD40O2

CD4Q06

CD4O07

CD40O9

CD40IO

CD4011

C04012

CD4013

CD40I4

CO4015

C04016

CD4017

C0401B

CD40I9

CD4020

CD4021

CD4022

CD4023

CD4024

CD4025

CD4026

CD4027

C04028

CD4029

CD4030

SN7472N

SN74 73N
SN7474N
SU747SN
SN7476N
SN7479N
SN7480N
SH7482N
SN7483N
SN74B5N
SN74B6N
SN7469N
SN7490N
SN7491N
SN7492N
SN7493N
5N7494N
SN7495N
SN7496N
SN7497N
SN74100N
SN741Q4N
SN74105N
SN74107N
SN74109N
SN74I16N
SM74121N
SN74122N
SN74123N
SN74125N
SN74126N
SN74132N
SN74I36N
SN74141N
SN74142N
SN74143N
SN74144N
SN74145N
SN74I47N
SN74148N
SN741SON
SN74151N
SN74152N
SN74153N
SN74154N
SN7415SN

16 395
24 3.95
24 3 95

SN74156K
SN74157N

SN74I60N
SN74161N
SN74162N
SN74163N
SN74164N
SN74165N
SN7416GN.
SN74167N
SN74170N
SN74172N
SN74I73N
SN74174N
SN74175N
SW74176N
SN74177N
SN74179N
SN74180N
SN74181N
5N74182N
SN74184N
SN74I85N
SN74190N
SN7419IN
SN74192N
SN74193M
SN74194H
SN7419SN
SN74I96N
SN74197N
SN7419BM
SN74199N
SN7422IN
SN74251N
SN74276N
SN74279N
SN74283N
SN74284N
SN74285N
SN74365N
SN743B6N
SN74367N
SN7436BN
SN74390N
SN74393N

74LS92 14

74LS93 14

74LS95 14

74LS96 !6

74LSI07 14

74LS109 16

74LS112 16

74LS113 U

74LS114 14

74LS122 14

74LS123 16

74LS125 14

74LS126 14

74LS132 14

74LS133 16

74LS136 14

7JLSI3S 16

74LS139 16

74LS151 16

74LS153 16

74LS154 24

74LS155 16

74LS1S6 16

74LSI57 16

74LS15B 16

74LS160 16

74LS161 16

74LSI62 16

74LS163 16

74LSI64 14

74LSt65 16

74LS168 16

74LSI69 16

74LS170 16

74LS173 16

74LSI74 16

74LS175 16

74LS181 24

74LS190 16

74LS192
74 LSI 93
74LS194
74LSI95
74LS197
74LS221
74LS240
74LS241
74LS242
74LS243
74LS2-14
74LS245
74LS247
74LS248
74LS249
74LS251
74LS253
74LS257
74LS25B
74LS260
74LS266
74LS273
74LS279
74LS283
74LS290
74LS293
74LS298
74LS352
74LS353
74LS365
74LS366
74LS367
74LS368
74LS373
74LS374
74LS375
7JLS3B6
74LS393
74LS399
74LS670
81LS95
81LS97

mnhimm

74S114
74S133
74S134
74SI35
74S136
74SJ38
74S139
74S140
74S151
74S163
74S157
74SI58
74S160
74S174
74S175
74S18B*
74S194
74S195
74SI96
74S240
74S241
74S242

74S243
74S244
74S251
74S253
74S257
74S258
74S260
7452B0
74S287-
74S2BB*
74S373
74S374
74S387'
74S47P
74S47Z'
74S473-
74S474-
74S4 75*
74S570'
74S57T
74S572*
74S573*
74S940
74S941

CA30B1N 16

CA3082N 16

CA3083N 16

CA30B6N 14

CA3089N 16

CA3096N 16

CA3130E
CA3140E
CA3160H
CA3162E
CA31S9E
CA3401N
CA3600H

C04040

16

C04041

14

CD4042

IB

CD4043

16

CD4044

16

C04046

IB

CD4047

14

CD404B

1h

CO4049

IB

CD4050

1 B

CD4051

16

CD4052

16

C04053

16

C04056

16

CD4059

n

C04060

16

C04066

14

CD4068

14

CD4069

14

CD4070

14

CO4071

14

C04072

14

CD4073

14

CD4075

14

C04076

16

C04078

14

CD. 1081

14

CD40B2

14

CD4093

14

CD409Q 16

CD4506 16

CD4507 14

CD4508 24

CD4510 16

CD4511 1B

C04512 16

C04514 24

C04515 24

CD4516 16

C04S18 16

CD4519 16

CD4520 16

C04526 16

CD4528 16

C04529 16

CD4543 16

CD4562 14

CD4566 16

CD45B3 16

CD4584 14

CD4723 16

CD4724 16

MC144D9 16

MC14410 16

MCM4M 24

MC14412 16

MC14419 16

MC14433 24

MC14538 16

MC14S41 14

-MICROPROCESSOR CHIPS -

C0PIB02
MCS6502
UCS6502B
MCGB02CP

INS8O40N-6
INS8070N
INS8073N
P8085A

40 CPU

40 MPU w7Ckxk

40 MPUw/Clockat3MHi . .

40 MPUw/ClockamfRAM

40 CPU-B bd (Inlernal Ckick) 1MHz

40 MPU-8-WI(6MHz]. . ..

40 CPU-Sol chfp8M(l2BCils Ram)

40 CPU (256 by1«s HAM) . .

40 CPU(64byIBSRAM|

40 CPU w/Baac Micro Imwp/Blet

40 CPU

Z60

Z80-CTC
780DART
Z80DMA

zao-pio

ZB0S10/0

7BOS10/1

Z80-S10/2

Z80-S10/9

7.80A

ZBOA-CTC

Z80A-DAHT

Z80AHMA

ZBOA-PIO

Z80A-S10/0

ZBOA-S10/1

ZBOA-SIO/2

ZBOA>S10/9

Z80B

ZBOB-CTC

ZB001
Z8O02
ZB030
Z8036

MC6800

MCBS02CP

MC6809E

MC6821

MC6828

MC6B30L8

MC6850

MCG852

MCB860

MC6862

MC68B0A

MC68O00LB

MC68488P

MC68652P2

MC68661PB

MCM687fi4

SV6522

CPU 16-bil 5MHi

40 CPU8/I6-WI

40 HMOS RAM I/O fort Timer
40 HMOS EPROM MPU

ZBO. ZBOA. Z80R. Z8000 SEBIES-
40 CPU (MK3880NH78OC) 2MH:
28 Counter Timer Circuit

815C

INS82C06

OPB212

OPB214

DP8216

0P8224

DP8226

DP8228

DP8238

INS8243

INS8245

INS8246

IIJS8247

INS8248

INS8250N

DPB251

DP8253

DP6255

DP8257

DP8259

DP8275

CP8279

DP8303

DP8304

DP8307

UP8308

DP83I0

INS177M

FD179I

FDI793

PD1795

FD1797

6843P

40 Parallel I/O Irilorfacs Controller

40 Serial I/O (TxCB arvd RiCB Bonded)

40 Serial I/O (Lacks OTfiB).

40 Serial I/O (Lacks SYNCB)

40 Serial I/O

40 CPtl(MK3880N-4)(780C-1)4MH7 ..

28 Counter Timer Circuit

40 Dual Asynchronous Rec /trans.

40 Dtfect Memory Access Circuit . .

40 Parallel I/O Interface Controller

40 Serial I/O (TxCB and RiCB bonded) .

40 Serial I/O (Lacks DTRB)

40 Serial I/O (Lacks SYNCB]

40 Serial I/O . .

40 CPU(MK3B80N-6)6MHi

2B Counter Timer Circuit . .

40 DuatAsynch Receiver/ Transmffler

40 Parallel I/O Interface Controller

48 CPU Segmented

40 CPU Non-Segmented , . .

40 Serial Comm Controller

40 Counter' Timet & Parallel I/O Unit

-6800/68000 SEHIES

40 MPU

40 MPU with clock and RAM

40 CPU 1 1 MHz) External (Locking)

40 Peripheral Inter Adapl (MC6820)

24 Priority Inleriuot Controller . .

24 I024x8-bit ROM IMC68A3Q-8)

24 Asynchronous Comm. Adapter

24 Synchronous Serial Dala Adapter

24 O-GOObps Digital MODEM

24 2400bps Modulator

16 Quad 3-slate bus Irans (MC8T26)

64 MPU 16-Bit (BMHr)

40 General Purpose Int. Adapter . . .

40 Multi Protocol Comm. Conlroller

28 Enhanced Prog Comm Int. . .

24 64K EPROM (450ns)

40 Peripheral Inter. Adapter

8080A SERIES

40 CPU . . .

40 Synchronous Data Interface (SIRC)

40 128 Byte PAM 1 6- Bit I/O

40 RAM with I/O Port and Timer .,..,

20 Oclal D Flip Flop Tn-Stale (74C374)

24 8billnput/0utpul(74S412)

24 Priority Interrupt Control .

16 Bl- Directional Bus Driver

16 Clock Generalor/Drrver

16 Bus Driver . .

28 System Com / Bus Dover ( 74S42B |

28 SystemConlrollei(74S43fl)

24 I/O Expander lot 4B Series

18 16-Key Keyboard Encoder (74C922)

20 20-Key Keyboard Encoder (74C923)

28 D.sp^y Controller (74C9I I) .

28 Display Conlroller (74C912)

40 Asyn Comm Elemenl

28 Prog Comm l/0(USART)

24 Prog interval Timer

40 Prog. Peripheral I/O |PPI)

40 Prog DMAConlrol

28 Prog Interrupt Control

40 Prog CRT Conlroller

40 Prog. Keyboard /Display mierface

20 8 ■Bn Tn -Slate Bi-Directionat Trans

20 8-bit Bi- Directional Receiver ...

20 8 bit Bi- Directional Receiver

20 8 ■ bit Bi-Directiona l Receiver

20 Octal Lalched Peripheral Dnvor

20 Octal Lalched Peripheral Driver .

40 8-bit Univ. Peripheral interface

40 !6KEPROMwi!hl/0

— DISK CONTROLLERS

40 Single Density

40 Singlo/Oual Density (Inv.l, , . . .

40 Slngle/DoubloDcnsity(True]

40 0ualDensliy/Sidc5elec1(lw.) . .

40 Dual Density/Side Select True . .

40 Floppy Disk Controller (IMHi) ....

— SPECIAL FUNCTION

16.95
. 29.95
.29.95
29 95
29.95
. 29.95

DS0D25CN 8 Dual MOS Clock Qnver (5MZ)

OS0026CN 8 Dual MOS Ckxk Driver (5MZ)

INS2651 28 Communication Chip . ....

MC3470P IB Floppy Disk Read Amp System

MM58167AH 24 M crop rocessor Real Time Clock

MM5B174AN 16 Micro Compatible Time Clock

CDP402N

COP470M

10M2909AJC

MM5369EST

40 Microcontroller w/64-digil RAM

and Direct LEO Drive
40 Microprocessor w/64-digil RAM

& Dirocl LED Onve w/N Buss Int
20 32-seg VAC Fluor Orw (20pinpkg )
28 Microprocessor Sequencer
B ProgOsallalor/Drvioe/llOOfli)

■■pins DYNAMIC RAMS

Pric.

1103
4027

4116N-2

4II6N-3

41I6N-4

4154N-I50

4164N-200

MM526I

MM5262

MM5270

MM52BU

MM5290-2

MM52903

MM5290 4

MM529H-3

18 1024x1 (300ns) 99

16 4086x1 (,250ns) 2.49

16 16.384x1 (150ns) 189-8/14 95

16 16.384x1 (2O0nsj 169-8/12 95

16 16,384x1 (250ns) 1.49-8/1095

16 65.536x1 (150ns) 6 95-8/49 95

16 66.536x1 (200ns} .5.95-8/44.95

IB 1024x1 HOQnsI 49-8/195

22 2048x1 (365ns) 49-8/1.95

IB 4096x1 (250ns) MK4096 .4.95

22 4096x1 (200ns) 2107 3.95

16 16,384x1 (150ns) 189-8/14.95

16 16.384x1 (200ns) 169-8/12.95

16 16.384x1 (250ns, 149-B/10.95

16 8192x1 (200ns) 1.69

STATIC RAMS

16 256x1 (650ns) 1.49

22 256x4 (450ns)B10l 2.49

16 1024x1 (350ns) B9

16 1024x1 (45Dns)L.P . 1.49

IB 256x4 (450ns)811l 2 95

16 256x4 (450ns)MOS 1.95

18 1024x4 (450ns) ,..,

18 1024x4 (450ns) LP.

18 1024x4 (200ns)

18 1024x4 (200ns) LP

18 4096x1 | 70ns)

18 1024x4 (70ns).
" ■ 150ns)
1024x4 (450ns)

2114L
2114-2
2I14L-2

2147

2148

TMS4045

TMS40L47-45

5101 22 255x4 (450ns) CMOS

MM5257 18 4096x1 |450ns)4044 .

HM6116P-3 24 2048x8 |i50ns)CM0S

HM6116-4 24 2048x8 (200ns)CMDS .

HM6116LP-4 24 2048x8 (200ns) L P CMOS

HM6264P-15 23 B192xB (150ns)CM0S

.1.49-8/9.95
1,95-8/13.95
1 75-8/11.95
225-B/14.95

27LS00

7489

74C920

74C921

74C929

74C930

74SI89

74S200

74S206

74S2B9

62510

82S25

16 256x1

16 16x4

22 256x4

IB 256>4

16 1024k

(80ns) LP

(50ns)3l0l
(250ns)
(250ns) CMOS
(250ns) CMOS (6501]
|250ns)CM0S(651B)

Ibx4 (35ns) 93405

256x1 (80ns) 93410

256x1 (60ns)9341l

15x4 (35ns) 3101

1024x1 (50ns)OC (93415)

16x4 (50ns)0C (74S2B9)

1702A

270B

270B-5

TMS2516

TMS2532

IMS2564

TMS2716

2716

2716-1

27160-5

2732

2732A-3

2732A'4

27320-4

275BOA

2764-4

2764-3

MM5204Q

MCM68764

2712B

74S18B

74S2B7

74S2B8

74S387

74S471

74S472

74S473

74S474

74S475

74S476

74S478

74S570

74S571

74S572

74S573

82S23

B2S115

82S123

82S126

B2S129

82S130

82S185

82S190

82S11

24 1024xB (450ns) .. .

24 1024x8 (550ns) SM00246

24 2Q48xB (450ns)2716

24 4096x8 (450ns) NMC2532

28 8192x8 (450ns)

24 2048x8 (450ns) 3 voltage

24 2048x8 (450ns)

24 2048x8 (350ns)

24 2048x8 (550ns)

24 4096x8 (450ns)

24 4096x8 (300ns)

24 409GxB (450ns) 21V

24 4096x8 |550ns)

24 1024x8 (450ns)

2B 8192x8 (450ns)

28 8192x8 (300ns) , .

24 512xB(1us) ... . .

24 8192x8 (450ns)

78 I6.3B4x8 (450ns) 128K EPROM

16 32x8 PROMO.C (6330-1).

18 256x4 PROMT S. (6301-1)

18 32x8 PROMTS (6331-1)
PROMO.C (6300-1)
PROMT S (6309-1)
PROMT S (6349-1)
PROM DC (6348)
PROMT S (DM87S296N)
PROMO.C (6340)

m lUiiax-i PROMTS

24 1024x8 PROMT S

PROMOC (6305)
PROM T S (63061
PROMO.C. (6352)

IB 1024x4 PROMT S (S2S137)

*" 32x8 PROMOC (27S18)
PROMTS (27S15)
PROMTS (27S19)
PROMO.C. (27S20)
PROMT S (27S21)
PROMOC (27S12)
2046x4 PROMT 5 (TBP24S81)

24 2046x8 (80ns).
(80ns)

16 256x4

20 256*8

20 512x8

20 512xB

24 512x8

24 5 12x8

16 512x4
16 512x4

"" 1024x4

24 512x8

16 32x8

16 256x4

16 256x4

16 512x4

24 2048x8 .__

0MS7S180N 24 1024x8 PROMO.C 182S1B0)

OMB7S181N 24 1024x8 PROMT 5 (82S181)

DM87SI84N IS 2048x4 PROMO.C (82SI84)

OM87S185N 18 2048x4 PROM T.S . (82S185I

OMB7S190N 24 2048x4 PROM 0 C (B2S190)

DMB7S191N 24 2046x8 PROM T.S (8ZS19I)

DATA ACQUISITION

DC10 Mostok DC/DC Converl. +5V10-9V

MC3470P 18 Floppy Disk Read AMP System
MCM08L7 16 7-bil D/A Converter (OAC0B07LCN]
MC1408LB IB 8-bit D/A Converter [DACOBOBLCN]
ADC08Q3LCN 2B 8 -bit A/0 Converter ( ± 1/2LSB)

2.95

2 95

4 95

4 95

.2.95

. 9.95

..2.95

.2.95

2.95

3.95

.9.95

14.S5

14.95

9.95

9.95

9.96

. 9.95

14.95

2.25

ADCO804 20 8-bit A/0 Convener (1LSB)

DACO806 168-bi!D/AConverler(0.7B,/< Lin.) 1.95

AOCO809 28 8-bil A/0 Converter (8-Ch Multi ) 4 49

ADC0817 40 8-bitA/D Converter (16-Ch Mulli.) 9.95

OAC1000 24 10 bit D/A Conn Micro Comp (0 05%) 7 95

DAC1008 20 10-bi! D/A Conv Micro Comp. (0.20K) 6.95

DAC1020 16 10-bit 0/A Conv (0 05% Lin.) 7 95

DAC1022 16 10-bit 0/A Conv. (0 20% Lin ) 5.95

DAC1222 18 12-hit D/A Conv (0.20% Lin ) 6 95

LM3342 Constanl Current Source 1.19

LM335Z Temperature Transducer i 40

LM399H Temp Comp Prec Rel ( 5ppm/C*| 5 00

AY-5-1013A 40 30K8iudUarl(TB1602). . . . .3.85

LOW PROFILE

(TIN) SOCKETS

B pin LP
14 pin LP
16 pin LP
18 pin LP
20 pin LP
22 pin LP
24 pin LP
2B pin LP
36 pin LP
40 pin LP

SOLDERTAIL (GOLD)
STANDARD

1-9 1099 100-up

BplnS
14 pin S
18 pin S
IB pin S
74 pin S

nSO

1.03

wjjttf.

TTTTTTf

WW

SOLDERTAIL
STANDARD (TIN)

20 pin ST

.45

.43

.41

24 pin ST

.49

.46

.43

2B pin ST

.69

.67

.63

40 pin ST

.99

.95

89

WIRE .ociii-i:

(GOLD) LEVEL #3

1-9

10-99 ioo-uii

8 pin WW

.49

.48

.42

10 pin WW

.65

.62

.SB

14 pin WW

65

62

-.59

16 pin WW

-69

.65

.61

IB pin WW

.89

.85

.78

20 pin WW

1.09

1.05

.99

22 pin WW

1.25

1.19

1.15

74 pin WW

1 29

1.23

1.18

28 pin WW

1.59

1.50

1.48

3G pin WW

1.85

1.75

1.89

40 pin WW

1 99

1 89

1.78

$10.00 Minimum Order — U.S. Funds Only
California Residents Add 6Vi% Sales Tax
Shipping — Add 5% plus 51.50 Insurance
Send S.A.S.E. for Monthly Safes Flyer!

Spec Sheets — 30c each
Send S1.00 Postage for your
FREE 1984 JAMECO CATALOG
Prices Subject to Change

ViSA*

DT1050 — Applications: Teaching aids,
appliances, clocks, automotive, telecommunica-
tions, language translations, etc.

The OT1050 Is a standard DIGITALKER kll encoded wllh 137 separate
and useful words, 2 lories, and 5 different silence durations. The
words and tones have been assigned discrete addresses, makino II
possible lo output single words or words concatenated into phrases
or even sentences. The "voice" output ol the DT1050 is a highly in-
telligible male voice. Female and children's voices can be synthesiz-
ed. The vocabulary is chosen so that It Is applicable lo many pio-
ducls and markets.

The DT 1050 consists ol a Speech Processor Chip, MM54104 (40-pin)
and (wo (2) Speech ROMs MM52164SSR1 and MM52164SSR2 (24-pin)
along with a Master Word Hat and a recommended schematic
diagram on the application sheet.

DT10S0 Digrtalker™ $34.95 ea.

MM 54 104 Processor Chip 114.95 ea.

DT1 057- Expands the DT1050 vocabulary from 137 lo over 260

words. Includes 2 ROMs and specs.

Pan No. DTT057 $24.95 ea.

* fc 'valuation

ftrtHo.

"Pini Function

7045IPI

7045EV/Ki|-

7106CPL

FE0203D

7106EV/KH-

7107CPL

7107EV7KJ1*

7116CPL

72DIIUS

7205IPG

7205EV/Kir

7206CJPE

7206CEV/KII-

7207AIPO

7207AEV/Kif

7215IPG

7215EV/Kit*

7216AIJI

721ECIJI

7216DIPI

721 7UI
7217AIP1
7224IPL
7226AUL
7226AEVW
l3Mflf) 1QR1 IKITFR^It H

CMOS Precision Timer

Slopwaich Chip. XTL

3Vt0igrtA/D (LCD Drive)

3ft Digit LCD Display lor 7106 « 71 it

IC. Circuit Board, Display

3'A0igilA/D (LED Drive)

IC.CiicihI Board. Display

3'/iDigilA/0LCD0i5 HLO.

Low Ball ery Voll Indicator

CMOS LED Si opwalch/ Timer

Slopwaich Chip. XTL

Tone Generator .

Tone Generalor Chip. XTL

Osollator Conlroller

Fret). Counter Chip. XTL

4 Func. CMOS Slopwaich CKT

4Func Slopwaich Chip. XTL

8 Digit Unrv Counter C A

6 Digit Freq Counter C. A. . .

6 Digit Freq Counter C C

4 Dlgil LED Up/Down Countei C A

4 Oigil LED Up/Down Counter C C

LCD4Vi Digit Up Counter DRI

BOigilUniv Counter

SFunclunCounlerChip. XTL

29 95
24 95

19.95
1D95
11.95
10 95
29 95

2J" 74HC High Speed CMOS

74HC00 14

74HC02 14

74HCD3 14

74HC04 14

74HCU04 14

74HC0B 14

74HC10 14

74HC11 14

74HC14 14

74HC20 14

74HC27 14

74HC32 14

74HC42 16

74HC51 14

74HC5B 14

74HC73 14

74HC74 14

74HC75 16

74HC76 16

74HCB5 16

74HCB6 14

74HC107 14

74HC109 16

74HC112 16

74HC113 14

74HC132 14

74HC137 16

74HC136 16

74HCI39 16

74HC147 16

74HC151 16

74HC153 16

74KC154 t*

74HC157 16

74HC15B 16

74HC160 16

74HC161 16

74HC162 16

74HC163 16

74HC164 14

74HC165 16

74NC173 16

74HC174 16

74KC175 16

74HC192 16

74HC193 16

74HCI94 16

74HC195 16

74HC237 16

74HC240 20

74HC241 20

74HC242 14

74HC243 14

74HC244 20

74HC245 20
74HCU04 IS

in

m

MHCZ53

in

44

74HC257

16

Iff

74HC259

in

1 41

74HC266

14

1 14

74HC273

n

'7 HI

74HC2B0

14

,195

74IIC373

70

7 31

74HC374

70

'/ .«

74HC390

1ft

1 49

74HC393

1 4<l

74KC533

»

■r.vi

74HC534

M

2 31

74HC595

IS

3 95

74HC6S8

7(1

;i is

74HC400?

14

59

74HC4017

16

? 19

74HC4020

16

l.ft

74HC4024

14

1,M

74HC4040

in

t :w

74HC4060

16

i;«

74HC4075

14

M

74HC4076

14

m

74HC45I1

in

?m

74HC4514

74

:i/»

74HC453B

16

2 (4

74HC4S43

16

3 49

^Programmable Array Logic (PALS)

PALIOHB 70 Oclal 10-lnpui AND-OR Gate Array (High Output)

1355 SHOREWAY ROAD, BELMONT, CA 94002
12/83 PHONE ORDERS WELCOME — (415) 592-8097 Telex: 176043

PAL12H6
PALI4H4
PAL10L8
PAL12L6
PAL14L4
PAL16LB
PAL16RB
PAL16R6
PAL16R4

Hex 12-tnpul AND-OR Gale Array (High Oulpul)
Quad 14-lnpul ANDOR Gale Array (High Oulpul)
Oclal ID-Input ANDORInverl Gale Array (Low Oulpul)
Hex !2-lnpuiAND-0R-lnveri Gale Array (Low Oulpul)
Ouad 14-lnpul AND-QR-lwert Gale Array (Low Oulpul)
Oclal 16-lnpul AND-OB-lnven Gale Array
Oclal 16-lnput Register ANOOR Gate Artay
Hex 16-lnpul Register ANDOR Gale Array
Quad 16-lnpul Register ANOOR Gale Array

130012 19B2NATIONALPA^alaBookn76

TB3EEM

74C00
74C02
74C04
7-lCOB
74C10
74C14
74C2Q
74C30
74C32
74C47
74C46
74C73
74C74
74C85
74C66
74C89
74C90

7-IC-m

74C95
74C1D7
74C151
74C154
74C157
74C160
74C161
74C162
74C163
74C164
74C173
74C174
74C175
74C192
74C193
74C195

74C22I

74C240
74C244
74C373
74C374
74C901
74C903
74C906
74C911
74C912
74C915
74C917
74C922
74C923
74C925
74C926
80C95
80C97

TL071CP (

TL072CP I

TL074CN V

TL061CP I

TL082CP i

TL064CN 1i

LM301CN f

LM302H

LM304H

LM305H

LM307CN :

LM308CN

LM309K

LM310CN

LM3HCN I

LM312H

LM3I7T

LM317K

LM318CN I

LM319N 1i

LM320K-5

LM320K-12

LM320K 15

LM320T-5

LM320T-12

LM320T-15

LM323K

LM324N 14

LM337T

LM338K

LM339N 14

LM34CK'5

LM340K12

LM340K-15

LM340T-5
LM340TI2
LM340T-15
LF347N 1
LM34BN 1
LM350K
LF355N
LF356N
LM370N 1
LM373N 1
LM377N 1
LM3B0N 1
LM381N 1
LM3B2N 1
LM384N 1
LM386N-3
TL494CN I
TL496CP
NE531V
NE544N 1
NE550A 1
NE55SV
LM556N 1
HE564N t
LM565N I
LM566CN
LM567V
NE570N 1
LM703CN I
LM709N V
LM71QN 1
LM711N 1.

LM723N 14 55

I.M733N 14 1 00

LM739N 14 1 95

LM741CN 8 35

LM747N 14 69

LU74BN B 59

LMI310N 14 1.49

LM1458CN 8 59

LM1488N 14 B9

LMI489N 14 .69

IM1496N 14 1 95

LM1800N 16 2 49

LM1B71N IB 2 95

LM1B72N 18 3 25

LM1877N-9 14 2 49

LM1B89H 18 2 25

LM1896N 14 2 95

LM2002T 1 95

LM31S9N 16 1 59

LM39O0N 14 59

LM3905CN t i 19

LM3909N 8 99

LM3914N 18 2.95

LM3915N 18 2 95

LM3916N IB 2 95

RC41J6H 14 1.25

RC4151NB 6 1 95

RC4194TK 4 49

NE5532 8 2 49

NE5534 8 t 69

ICL8038R 14 3 95

UII3O80N I 1 19

1M13600N 16 t 19
MDHi AVAILABLE

30003 1982 Nat. Linear Data Book H95? pgs i ^$11.95.

630 BYTE December 1983

Circle 243 on inquiry card.

VOICE SYNTHESIZER
FOR APPLE AND COMMODORE

• Over 250 word vocabulary -affixes allow the formation of more
than 500 words • Built-in amplifier, speaker, volume control, and
audio |ack • Recreates a clear, natural mala voice • Plug-in user
ready with documentation and sample software • Case size:
7V«"L x 3V«"W x 1-3/8"H

APPLICATIONS:

• Security Warning • Telecommunication

• Teaching • Handicap Aid

• Instrumentation ■ Games

Thi JE5ZD VOICE SYNTHESIZER will plug tight into your computer ind allow you to
enhance ilmctl any application Utilizing Nallonal Semiconductor's DIGITALKERlm
Speech Proctisor IC (with lour custom mamory chlpi). the JE520 compresses
natural ipuch Into digital memory. Including thi original Inflections and emphases.
Thi result li an eilramiiy clear, natural vocalization.
Pari No. Description Price

JE520CM For Commodore 64 & VIC-20 $1 14.95

iEMOAP For Apple II, II+ . and ffe $149.95

Micro-Logic Corp. V- 1 * . V

MICRO-CHARTS " y--;'; '::W\-&

• Fully decoded data • Instant access • 2-sidea, totally comB'nensive ■ Compact
8^x11 in durable credit card piastre ■ Perfect tor programmers 4 engineers

• Clear 6 concise tables lor full instruction set, disassembly. ASCII, base conver-
sion, ellecl ol Hags, compare vs |ump. interrupt structure, pmout, cycle limes,
diagrams. Dug notes. & much more

PART HO. REFERENCE PRICE

ML-ZSO Z80 CPU $5.95

ML-8080A 8080A/8085A $5.95

ML-6502 6502{65XX) $5.95

ML-8048 8048, Relatives $5.95

ML-7400 5400/7400 TTL Pin-Outs $5.95

BOOKS

30001 National CMOS Dnlfl Book (1961) S6.95

1640 pages) 74C, C04000, and ArO Converters

30003 National Linear Data Book (1962) ¥11.95

(1376 pages) LM, LF. ADC. DAC. LH Series

3000B National Memory Data Book (1980) SS.95

(464 panes) RAMs, ROMs. PROMs. EPROMs Series

30009 In torsi I Data Book (1903) S9.95

(1356 pages) Complete line.

30010 National Audio/Radio Handbook (19B0) S5.95

(240 pages) PreAmps, AM, FM & FM Stereo, Power Amps

30012 National PAL Data Book (1982) S5.B5

(176 pages) Application Notes, Linear Briefs, etc.

30013 ZiiogDataBook(1983) S7.95

(641 pages) Microprocessors and Support Chips

210830 lnielMemoryComponentsHandbook(19B3) $14.95

(796 pages) Contains all Application Notes, Article

Reprints, Data Sheets, and otnor design information

on Intel's RAMs. EPROMs, E'PROMs & Bubble Memories.

210B44 Intel Microprocessor & Peripheral Handbook (1983) . . .S14.95
(1027 pages) Contains Data Sheets on all of
Inle's Microprocessors and Peripherals.

4-Digit Fluorescent Alarm Clock Kit

• Bright 4 digit O.S" high display • 10 minute snooze alarm

■ AM/PM Indicator

Tfia JE75D Clock Kit is a vena I He 12-hour digital clock with 24-hour alarm. The clock
hat a bright O.S" high hlua-graan llouraicanl display Tha 24-hour alarm allows the
uiai to dfiabla tha alarm and Immediately re-enable tha alarm la rctlvale 24 hours
latir. Thi kilt includtt alt doc u ma n I alio n. componanli. caia and wall Iranslormer.
Sill: B-S/B-l M 3V."H x 1*"B.

JE75Q Alarm Clock Kit $29.95

JgfffBSS Digital Thermometer Kit
MMM Dual sensors - switch

controls for Indoor/Outdoor
or dual monitoring — can be
extended to 500 feet. Con-
tinuous LED .8" hi. display.
Range: -40"F to 199 *F. -40'C
io 100'C. Accuracy +1*
nominal. Calibrate for
Fa hrenhei 1/ Celsius.
— Simulated walnut case. AC

jE3oo...:..$39.95^i.ri;-H^-rs'z°;

Universal Computer Keyboard Enclosures

"DTE" Blank Desk-Top Enclosures

are designed fir easy modiiica-

lion High strength epoxy molded

end pieces in mocha Uiown finish.

'^ Sliding rear/bottom panel lor service/

component access' Top/bott panels 060"

thick alum, alodine type l2O0linish(goldlini

color) lor best paint adhesion a'ter modification.

/onteO lop & bottom panels tor cooling eltrciency

utuj construction provides unlimited applicaiions.

I. go — -/ Assembly instructions Included.

DTEB Panel Width 7.S" S24.95

DTE-lt Panel Wldlh 10.13" S27.95

DTE-14 Panel Wldlh 13.S* S20.B5

DTE-20 Panel Wldlh 19.25" 534.96

»w DTE-22 Panel Width 21.375' $39.95

at

»

1 39

tH

1 If

en

H

7 69

7 39

709

CM

in

I9S

I SI

cao

319

3 19

719

cso

so

4 30

3 !5

3 39

CARD-EDGE CONNECTORS

t-9 IDjM 100*

FOR PERMANENT

TERMINATION TO PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS

Pin No

CEHNH
CEN14F

CENItH
C.ENJ1F
CENJGM
CEH36F

U Uita
J* Female

;rr,0r *^— /— ™??

SOCKET CONNECTORS

MALE CONNECTOR

CDA15S
CDB»P
CDB2SS
CDC37I>
C0C3IS

28AWG FLAT GREY CABLE

CUSTOM ASSEMBLIES

Council

Connactor 1

Conductor

Wirt Typi

g

7BAWG Flat Slrandett

7MWG F us Slranrjerj

IS

IMWG Flat Sirend.A

;*fl»wi, Flat Slrandad

70

7IAWG Flat Strindad

U

7BAWG Flat Slrtnd.d

K

7BAWG Fial Slrandad

v>

7MWG Flat Slrandad

3a

IMWG F in Slrandad

36

7BAWG Flu Sliandad

3J

7BAWG Flat Slrandad

It

7BAWG Flat Slrandad

SO

7BAWG Flat Sliandid

Ccnlroi

CENMB-75' -CEH1SF CUSTOM

SB 69|CEN3BM) » 9.75 |CEH3BF)»

65 k zS |25 leal 16 cond cable) »

7 00 Sil-upchnga on illciiilom calllts =
thu 1C(H36M-;S- -CEH36F CU5T0M) Cable mou

J1B.44
SIB 25
S 2.00

ACCESSORIES FOR APPLE* COMPUTERS

Numeric/Auxiliary Keypad
for APPLE He*

lai *ncto»ur» »ifl ,j :oiw cocOin»i«t *iin jour APPLE "o
DpUM Opcflltan 01 1M ■ (HMO s»" twflm mlriin m.nutM Horn un
>mg Scroll 'unctions ineruo« Horr* Claw. Clew 10 End 0'

JE614 Assembled and Taated

Switching Power Supply
for APPLE II, II+ antf/ie*

Pari No. KHP40O7

Extended 80 Column/64K RAM
Card for APPLE He*

Board hiqi, ttpnyiy Hoard dt

JEB64 Aiaembled and Tested .

Cooling Fan for APPLE II,
11+ and He*

in

POWER SUPPLY +5VDC ® 7.5 AMP. 12VDC @ 1.5 AMP SWITCHING

Input: uS'irAC. 50-60H/ ,-r 3 amp/730VAC. 5DH: ,Ti t.Bamp Fan voH./power supply illect iwlt-
chea (H5/230VAC). Oulput: 5VDC a 7.6 atr. p. 12VDC & 1.6 amp. a ft. blk. pow. cord. HV»"W«
13V*"D i a*"H, Wl. 6 lbs.
Part No. PS94VDS S39.95 each

POWER SUPPLY 4-Channel Switching - Apple Compatible

Microprocessor, mini'Csmpuler. terminal medical equipment and process control applications. In-
put; 90-l3uVAC47-4(OH;. Oulput: + 5VDC -i 5A, -5VDC Qi tA; +12VDC <7r 1A. -12VDC @ 1A.
Una rtn iQ.ZV Hippie: 30mV p-p. Load rag,: ii'i. Uvciciitrnnl protection Ad|: 5V main out-
puti 10M. 6-3/B"L i 1-7/8"W > 4-15/16"H. Wl. Vh lbs

Pari No. FCS-604A S69.95 each

$10.00 Minimum Order — U.S. Funds Only
California Residents Add 6Vi% Sales Tax
Shipping — Add 5% plus S1.50 Insurance
Send S.A.S.E. tor Monthly Sales Flyer!

Spec Sheets — 30c each
Send $1.00 Postage for your
FREE 1984 JAMECO CATALOG
Prices Subject to Change

E3

m

m...

ameco

ELECTRONICS

VISA9

1355 SHOREWAY ROAD, BELMONT, CA 94002
12/83 PHONE ORDERS WELCOME — (415) 5928097 Telex: 176043

JE664 EPROM PROGRAMMER

8K TO 64K EPROMS - 24 AND 28 PIN PACKAGES

• Programs, validates, and chackt lor properly erased EPROMs * EmuJalsi PflOMi
or EPROMs • nssr3?C Computer intirfacn lot adding/ program loading * Loidi data
Inlo RAM by liayboard * Changes data in RAM by keyboard • Loads RAM Irom an
EPROM ■ Compare* EPROMi for cortlsnl dllterencei • Copies EPflDMi • Power In-
put: 115VAC, 60H; -« 10W power consumption * Enctosura: Color-coordlnatid.
light tan panels w/molded mocha drown and pieces * Size: 15-5/B"L i n1/."D i
;l'-yn • Wl.: 5V< lbs.

JE664-A EPROM Programmer $995.00

Assembled & fesled [Includes JM16A Module)

JE665 — H^T32ClNTERFACE 'OPTION — The JE665 HS232C interlace
Opiion implements computer access to the JE664"s RAM Sample software written in
BASIC provided lor TRS-SO" Model I, Level II Computer Baud rale. 9500 Word
Iglh: 8 bits - odd partly Slop bits: 2 Option may he adapted looltier compulers. The
JEG65 can ho interlaced to any compiler with an RS23? port Inlormalion is also pro-
vided for interlacing Io any CP/M system with an RS232 port.

JE664-AHS EPROM Programmer w/JE665 0pllon S1 195.00

Assembled and Tested (Includes JM 16A Module)

EPflOM JUMPER MODULES - The JE6&fs JUMPER MODULE [Personality
Module) is a plug-in Module mat presets JE66-! lot proper programming pulses lo
the EPROM S configures EPROM sockei connections lor thai particular EPROM
PIU EPROM EPROM MANUFACTURER PRICE

JMOSA
JM16A
JM16B

JM32A
JM32B
JM32C
JM64A

JM64B
JM64C

JM64D

270S

2716.TMS2516

TMS2716

TMS2532

2732

2732A(21U)

MCM68764.

MCM68L7B4

2764

TMS2554

HN4B2764G-4

AMO.Molorola.Naltonal Intel. Tl (25V)
Intel. Motorola. National. NEC.Tl. (25VI
Motorola. TII + 5.-S. +12)
Motorola. Tl (25V]

AMD.Fuplsu. NEC. Hiiachi. Intel (25V)
Fujitsu, Intel (21V)

M0lD'0l3(21V)

Into (21V)
Tl (25V)

Hilachi(2!V)

114.95
514.95

S14.95
S14.95
514.95
£14.95

S14.95
114.95
S14.95
S14.95

UV-EPROM Eraser

| 8 Chips — 51 Minutes

1 Chip — 37 Minutes

Erases 2708, 271B. 2732, 2764, 2516, 2532, 2564. Erases up to 8 chips
within 51 minimis (1 chip In 37 minutes). Maintains constant exposure
dlBtsnce of one Inch. Special conductive loam liner eliminates static
build-up. Built-in safety lock to prevent UV exposure. Compact — only
9.00" x 3.70* x 2.60". Complete with holding tray for 8 chips.

DE-4 UV EPROM Eraser S79.95
UVS-11EL Replacement Bulb $16.95

51/4" APPLE™
COMPATIBLE
DISK DRIVE

• Um Shugarl SA390 mnchan.es • 143K
lormatlad storage • 35 tracks — compatible
with Apple controller * Complete wtlh connec-
tor and cable — jutt plug Into your disk con-
Iroller card • Size: 6"L x 3VW x
8-9/16"D • Weight: 4". lbs.

PartNo.ADD-514 $195.95

8^ FLOPPY DISK DRIVE

• Shugart 801R
compatible

• SinglB-Sided

• 77 Tracks

• 400/800K Bytes
Capacity

• Industry Standard

The FDD100-8 B" Floppy Disk Drive (Industry Standard) features
single or double density. Recording mode: FM single, MFM double
density. Transfer rale: 250K bits/sec. single density; 50OK bits/sec.
double density. The FDD100 B Is designed (o work with the single-
sided soft sectored IBM Diskette I, or eq. disk cartridge. Power:
115VAC rif 50-60HZ, +24V0C® 1.7ampsmax., +5VDC ® 1.2 amps
max. Unl! as pictured abovo (does not Include case, power supply, or
cables). Size: 8.55"W x 14"L x 4.5'K. Weighs 12 lbs. Ind. 96-dq.
manual.

Part No.

Price

FDD100-8 . .$1 69.95 ea.

IBM MEMORY EXPANSION KIT

SAVE HUNDREDS OF $$$ BY UPGRADING
MEMORY BOARDS YOURSELF!

Moal of the popular memory boards allow you to add an additional
84K, 128K, 192K, or 256K The IBM64K Kit will populate these boards
In S4K byte Increments. The kll la simple lo Install — just Insert tha
nine 64K RAM chips In the provided aocketa and set tha two groups
of switches. Olrecllons are Included.

IBM64K (Nine 200ns 64K RAMs) S49.95

EXPAND YOUR MEMORY

TRS-80 to 16K, 32K, or 48K
'Modal 1 » From 4K lo 16K Roqulres |1) Ono Kit
Modol 3 ■ From 4K lo 48K Roqulres |3) Throo Kits
Color = From 4K to 16K Requires |1| One Kll

TRS-16K3 -200ns lor Color & Model III $12.95

TRS-16K4*250ns for Model I J10.95

TRS-80 Color 32K or 64K Conversion Kit

Easy to Install kit comes complete with 8 ea. 4164-2 (200ns) 6
dynamic RAMs & conversion documentation. Converts TRS-80 color
computers with E circuit boards, & alt new color computers to 32K.
Minor modifications of 32K memory will allow the use ol all the 64Ko
the dynamic RAM providing you have a FLEX DOS operating syslem.

TRS-64K2 $44.95

Circle 243 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

631

DoKa

COMPUTER
PRODUCTS,

Inc.

ORDER TOLL FREE

(800)
538-8800

(CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS)

MiTiT

848-8008

TERMS: For shipping include
$2.00 for UPS Ground or $3.00
for UPS Blue Air. $10.00 mini-
mum order. Bay Area and Los
Angeles Counties add 61/2%
Sales Tax, other California resi-
dents add 6% Sales Tax. We re-
serve the right to limit quantities
and substitute manufacturer.
Prices subject to change without
notice.

VISIT OUR RETAIL STORE

2100 De La Cruz Blvd.

Santa Clara, CA 95050

(408) 988-0697

DoKa

STATIC RAMS

2101

256 > 4 490ni

1.90

5101

256x4 460m (cmos)

3.90

2102-1

1024x1 490ns

.88

2102L-4

1024x1 450ns

IK

.98

2102L-2

1024x1 250nt

1.45

2111

256x4 450m

2.45

2112

256x4 450m

2.95

2114

1024x4 450m

8/9.90

2114-25

1024x4 290ns

679.95

2114L-4

1024x4 450ns (LP)

8711.95

2114L-3

1024x4 300ns

H

8712.45

2114L-2

1024x4 200ns

8/12.95

2147

4096x1 55ns)

4.90

TMS4044-4

4096x1 490ns)

3.45

TMS4044-3

4096x1 300ns

3.95

TM84044-2

4096x1 200ns

4.45

MK4118

1024>8 250ns)

9.90

TMM2016-200

2048x8 200ns)

4.10

TMM201 6-150

2048x8 150ns

4.90

THM201 6-100

2048x6 100ns

6.10

HM6116-4

2048x8 200ns

cmos

4.70

HM6116-3

2048x8 190ns

cmos

4.90

HM6116-2

2048x8 120nsl

cmos

8.90

HM0116LP-4

2048x8

200ns

cmos (LP)

5.90

HM6116LP-3

2048x8 150ns)

cmos

LP

6.90

HM6116LP-2

2048x8 120ns

cmos (LP)

9.95

2-6132

4096x8 300ns)

(Mat)

33.95

LP - Low Power (Mat - Quasi-Static

DYNAMIC RAMS

TM 84027

4096x1

250ns)

1.95

UPD411

4096x1 300ns)

2.95

MM9280

4096x1

300ns)

2.95

MK4100

8192x1

200ns)

1.90

MM520S

8192x1 290ns)

1.80

4116-300

16384 x1300ns

8/10.75

4116-290

16304 x1250ns

6/10.95

4116-200

16384 x1200ns)

8/11.85

4116-160

16384x1

150ns)

6/13.95

4116-120

16384x1

120ns

8/28.95

2118

16384x1

150ns (5v)

4.90

4164-200

65536x1

200ns) (5v)

5.90

4164-160

65936x1

150ns) J5v)

6.90

5V • single 5 volt supply

EPROMS

1702

296x8

1M)

4.49

2708

1024x6

490ns

3.90

2766

1024x8

450ns

(5w)

9.90

2716

2040x8

450ns

fig

3.00

2716-1

2040x8

350ns

5v

9.90

TM82516

2040x8

490ns

(5v)

9.45

TM 82716

2048x6

450ns

7.90

TMS2532

4096x6

450ns

5wl

5.90

2732

4096x8

490ns

5v

4.90

2732-260

4096x8

260ns

M

8.90

2732-200

4096x8

200ns

5v

10.05

2764

6192 X 8

450ns

5v

9.90

2764-290

8192x6

250ns

5v

13.99

2764-200

6102x8

200ns

5vj

23.99

TMS2564

8102x8

450ns

5v)

16.05

MC68764

8192x8

450ns

5v (24 pin)

36.95

27128

16364x8

Sail

Call

5w = Single 5 Volt Supply

74LS00

74LS00

.23 74LS173

.60

74LS01

.24 74LS174

.54

74LS02

.24 74LS175

.54

74LS03

.24 74LS181

2.10

74LS04

.23 74LS109

8.90

74LS0S

.24 74LS190

.68

74LS06

.27 74LS191

.00

74LS09

.28 74LS192

.70

74LS10

.24 74LS193

.70

74LS11

.34 74LS194

.60

74LS12

.34 74LS195

.60

74LS13

.44 74LS196

.78

74LS14

.58 74LS197

.78

74LS15

.34 74LS221

.00

74LS20

.24 74LS240

.04

74L.S21

.28 74LS241

.98

74LS22

.24 74LS242

.90

74LS26

.20 74LS243

.98

74LS27

.20 74LS244

1.26

74LS28

.34 74LS245

1.45

74LS30

.24 74LS247

.74

74LS32

.28 74LS248

.98

74LS33

.54 74LS249

.98

74LS37

.34 74LS251

.58

74LS38

.34 74LS253

.58

74LS40

.24 74LS257

.56

74LS42

.40 74LS258

.58

74LS47

.74 74LS259

2.70

74LS48

.74 74LS200

.58

74LS49

.74 74LS266

.54

74LS51

.24 74LS273

1.45

74LS54

.20 74LS275

3.30

74LS55

.20 74LS279

.48

74LS63

1.20 74LS280

1.95

74LS73

.30 74LS283

.68

74LS74

.34 74LS290

.88

74LS76

.30 74LS293

.88

74LS76

.38 74LS295

.90

74LS78

.40 74LS290

.80

74LS83

.59 74LS289

1.70

74LS85

.60 74LS323

3.45

74LS86

.36 74LS324

1.70

74LS90

.54 74LS352

1.25

74LS91

.88 74LS353

1.25

632 BVTB December 1983

74LS92 .54 74LS363 1.30

74LS93 .54 74LS364 1.90

74LS95 .74 74LS305 .46

74LS96 .88 74LS366 .48

74LS107 .38 74LS367 .44

74LS109 .38 74LS368 .44

74LS112 .38 74LS373 1.35

74LS113 .38 74LS374 1.35

74LS114 .38 74LS377 1.35

74LS122 .44 74LS378 1.13

74LS123 .78 74LS379 1.30

74LS124 2.85 74LS385 1.85

74LS12S .48 74LS386 .44

74LS126 .48 74LS380 1.15

74LS132 .58 74LS303 1.15

74LS133 .58 74LS385 1.15

74LS136 .38 74LS309 1.45

74LS137 .98 74LS424 2.90

74LS138 .54 74LS447 .36

74LS139 .54 74LS490 1.90

74LS145 1.15 74LS624 3.95

74LS147 2.45 74LS640 2.15

74LS140 1.30 74LS645 2.15

74LS151 .54 74LS660 1.65

74LS153 .54 74LS660 1.85

74LS154 1.85 74LS670 1.45

74LS155 .68 74LS674 9.60

74LS156 .68 74LS682 3.15

74LS167 .64 74LS683 3.15

74LS158 .58 74LS684 3.15

74LS160 .68 74LS685 3.15

74LS161 .64 74LS680 2.35

74LS162 .68 74LSB09 3.15

74LS163 .64 74LS783 23.95

74LS164 .68 81LS95 1.45

74LS105 .94 81LS96 1.45

74LS166 1.90 81LS97 1.45

74LS168 1.70 01LS98 1.45

74LS169 1.70 25LS2521 2.75

74LS170 1.45 25LS2569 4.20

6500

1MHZ

6502 4.00

6504 6.00

0505 8.00

6507 0.00

6520 4.30

6522 7.90

6532 8.90

6545 21.50

6551 10.85

2 MHZ

6502A 6.90

6522A 9.90

6532A 10.95

6545A 26.05

6551A 10.95

3 MHZ

6502B 13.95

6800

68000 50.95

0800 3.90

6602 7.90

6000 12.90

6809E 18.95

6800 10.95

0010 2.90

0020 4.30

6021 3.20

0828 13.95

6840 11.95

6043 33.95

6644 24.95

6045 13.05

6047 10.95

6850 3.20

6052 15.70

6860 0.90

6002 10.95

6075 6.60

6080 2.20

6883 21.95

68047 23.95

08488 10.95

6600 1MHZ

68B00 9.95

68B02 21.25

60B00E 20.95

68B09 28.95

68B10 6.90

60B21 6.90

68B45 18.95

68B50 5.90

8000

8035 5.90

6030 6.90

INS-6060 16.95

INS-0073 23.95

8080 3.90

8085 5.90

8085A-2 10.95

8086 28.95

8087 CALL

0088 38.95

8080 88.95

0155 6.60

0155-2 7.90

0156 6.90

8185 28.95

8165-2 38.95

8741 38.95

6748 23.95

8755 23.95

Circle 167 on inquiry card.

8200

8202 23.95

8203 38.95

8205 3.45

8212 1.75

8214 3.80

8216 1.70

8224 2.20

8226 1.75

8228 3.45

8237 18.95

8237-5 20.95

8238 4.45

8243 4.40

8250 9.95

8251 4.45

8253 6.90

8253-5 7.90

8255 4.45

8255-5 5.20

8257 7.90

8257-5 8.90

8259 6.85

8259-5 7.45

8271 38.95

8272 38.95

8275 28.95

8279 8.90

8279-5 9.00

8272 6.45

8283 6.45

8284 5.45

8286 6.45

8287 6.45

8288 24.00

8289 48.95

Z-80

2.5 Mhz

Z80-CPU 3.90

Z80-CTC 4.45

Z80-DART 9.95

Z80-DMA 13.95

Z80-PIO 4.45

Z8O-SIO/0 15.95

Z80-SIO/1 15.95

Z80-SIO/2 15.95

Z80-SIO/9 15.95

4.0 Mhz

ZBOA-CPU 4.90

Z80A-CTC 4.90

Z80A-DART 10.95

Z80A-DMA 15.95

Z80A-PIO 4.90

Z80A-SIO/0 15.95

Z80A-SIO/1 15.95

Z80A-SIO/2 15.95

Z80A-SIO/9 15.95

6.0 Mhz

Z80B-CPU 12.95

Z80B-CTC 12.95

Z80B-PIO 12.95

Z80B-DART 18.95

ZILOG

Z6132 33.95

Z8671 38.95

DISC CONTROLLERS

1771 15.95

1791 23.95

1793 25.95

1795 48.95

1797 48.95

2791 53.95

2793 53.95

2795 58.95

2797 58.95

6843 33.95

8272 38.95

UPD765 38.95

MB8876 28.95

MB8877 33.95

1691 16.95

2143 17.95

UARTS

AY3-1014 6.90

AY5-1013 3.90

AY3-1015 6.90

PT-1472 9.90

TR1602 3.90

2350 9.90

2651 8.90

TMS6011 5.90

IMS402 7.90

IM6403 8.90

INS8250 9.95

INTERFACE

8T26 1.54

8T28 1.84

8T95 88

8T96 88

8T97 88

8T98 88

DM8131 2.90

□P8304 2.24

DS8835 1.94

DS8838 98

VOLTAGE REGULATORS

7805T .74 7B05T .84
78M05C .34 7908T .84
7808T .74 7912T .84
7812T .74 7915T .84
7815T .74 7924T .84
7824T .74 7905K , 44
7805K 1.34 7912K 1.44
7812K 1.34 7915K 1.44
7815K 1.34 7924K 1.44
7824K 1.34 79L05 .78
78L05 .68 79L12 .78
78L12 .68 79L15 .78
78L15 .68 LM323K 4.90
78H05K 9.90 UA78S40 1.90
78H12K 9.90

C,T - TO-220 K - TO-3 L - TO-92

DIP SWITCHES

4 POSITION 84

5 POSITION .

. . .89

6 POSITION .

. . .89

7 POSITION .

. . .94

8 POSITION .

.. .94

IC SOCKETS

1-99

100

8 pin ST .12 .10
14 pin ST .14 .11
16 pin ST .16 .12
18 pin ST .19 .17
20 pin ST .28 .26
22 pin ST .29 .26
24 pin ST .29 .26
28 pin ST .39 .31
40 pin ST .48 .38
64 pin ST 4.20 call
ST = SOLDERTAIL

8 pin WW .58 .48
14 pin WW .68 .51
16 pin WW .68 .57
18 pin WW .88 .89
20 pin WW 1.04 .97
22 pin WW 1.34 1.23
24 pin WW 1.44 1.30
28 pin WW 1.64 1.44
40 pin WW 1.84 1.75

WW > WIREWRAP

16 pin ZIF 6.70 call

24 pin ZIF 9.90 call

28 pin ZIF 9.95 call

ZIF = TEXTOOL (Zaro Insertion Force)

CRYSTALS

32.768khz 1.90

. 4.90
. 4.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90

3.90

3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
.3.90
. 3.90

3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90

3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90
. 3.90

iLUES

. 1.25
. 2.00
15.00

129.95
42.50
38.95
84.95
24.95
29.95
9.95

129.95
19.95
24.95
19.95

224.95
69.95

1.8432

2.0

2.097152 . . .

2.4576

3.2768

3.579535 . .

4.0

5.0

5.0688

5.7143

6.0

6.144

6.5536

8.0

10.0

14.31818

15.0

16.0

17.430

18.0

18.432

20.0

22.1184

32.0

RESISTORS

V, WATT 5* CARBON FILM ALL STANDARD V

FROU1 OHM TO 10 MEG OHM
50 PCS

100 PCS

1000 PCS

APPLE ACCESSORIES

80 Column Card

16 K Card. ...

Power Supply
RFMod

Joy Stick (Apple lh

Paddles Apple
Z80 Card ....

Extend-A Slot .

Controller Card

51/4" DISKETTES
ATHANA OR NASHUA

SSSD 18.95

SSDD 22.95

DSDD 27.95

PERISOFT

ACCESSORIES FOR APPLE II & lie
ALL WITH 1 YEAR WARRANTY BY

PRINTERLINK

CENTRONICS

PARALLEL INTERFACE

• Simple to use — No configuring required

• Use with any Centronics printer — EPSON,

OKIDATA, etc.

• Includes Cable & Manual

$58°°
MESSENGER

SERIAL INTERFACE

• Connects to any RS-232 serial device

• 8 switch selectable drivers for printers,

terminals and modems

• Includes Cable & Manual

$98°°

TIMELINK

REAL TIME CLOCK

• Applications in file management, word

processing, communications, etc.
• Exclusive Alarm Clock feature
• Battery recharges automatically

$83°°

NEW BUFFERLINK

ADD-ON PRINTER BUFFER

• No more waiting for printed output

• Connects easily to any parallel interface

• Expandable from 16K to 64K

$138°° (16K)

The Flip Sort™

The new Flip Sort™ has all the fine qualities of
the original Flip Sort™, with some added bene-
fits. Along with a new design, capacity has in-
creased 50%, to hold 75 diskettes and the
price is more reasonable than ever. $19.95 ea.

The Flip Sort Plus™

The Flip Sort Plus™ adds new dimensions to
storage. Designed with similar elegant lines as
the original Flip Sort™, in a transparent
smoked acrylic. The Flip Sort Plus™ has a stor-
age capacity of over 100 diskettes and has all
the outstanding features you have come to ex-
pect from the flip sort Family. 24.95 each

DoKo.

2100 De La Cruz Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050

Circle 167 on Inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 633

^Computer Components

«%*j||E WORLDS' LARGEST

Christmas Specials

Sanyo computer

• IBM Compatible
Introductory Offer

?

$920 J

BMC Monitor

• M0deM2AUW

• 80 COl.

• 12" Green Screen

4

Micro sci Disk Drive

• Fully Apple Compatible

$209

Apple HE
80 Column Card

• Made by Apple

$49

Hard Disk for PC

5MB $1350

10MB 1550

15MB 2150

8" Disk Drive

• Siemans FDD 100-8

• Shugart Compatible

• Sgl. Side/Dbl. Density

1 for §169

2for $ ■ 59ea.

Printer Paper

• 500 Sheets
• 18 Bond

$9.95

$79 I

Daisy writer Printer

• Model 2000

• 48K Buffer

I

i

$1199 *

Star Micronics
Gemini 10X Printer

• 120 CPS

• 6 month warranty

we will beat all
Competitors' Prices

CDC Disk Drive

• Dbl. Side/Dbl. Density
• IBM Compatible

$249

Circle 81 on inquiry card.

Microtek

• l6KCard

2 year warranty

$49

Aston Tate

• D Base ll
IBM Compatible

$389

Hayes Micro Modem

• Fully compatible

w/HE or II +

• w/Terminal Package

|

$259

wesper Micro

• Graphics Interface

• Apple &Crappler

Compatible

$69

i

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we accept all P.o.'s from universities

CALL 800-847-1718 «

we Off er More Than a low Prices!!!

Unlimited is becoming
MAIL ORDER HOUSE!

4

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Christmas Specials

Apple he starter

• Apple ll Monitor
• 1 Drive w/Controller
80 column card

i

i $1495

Apple he Starter

• Same as Above except

• w/MicroSci Drive

• BMC Monitor

$1395

Franklin Starter
System

• Ace 1000

• 1 Drive w/Controller
• Green 12" Monitor

$1150

Franklin Ace 1200

Office Management
System

• 2 Drives

• Ace calc. & Ace writer

$1895

514" Diskettes

• Sgl. Side/Dbl. Density

• 5 year warranty

• Reinforced hub

ifor

100 for

$18
$160

Circle 81 on inquiry card.

Tandon for IBM

• TM 100-2

• Dbl. Side/Dbl. Density

$225

64K Memory
Upgrade for IBM

• Prime Parts

• 200 ns

9 for

$54

IBM PC

• 64K

• 2, Half Height Drives

• Color Card & Green Monitor

$2595

Quadram Quadlink

• Turns IBM into Apple

i^i$499

XT

IBM Monochrome
Monitor

$339

Plantronics

• Color Board for PC

• Parallel Port

• Software included

• Hi-Res

$499

Plug n Play

• Eprom for Okidata
• Makes it PC compatible

$99

AST Research

Six Pack +

• Par. Ser. Ports

• Real Time Clock

• 64K Exp. to 384K

$299

To: Byte Readers

All of us at Computer Components Unlimited
would like to take the time to say "thanks" for
your continuing support of our company through-
out the past year. We have some very exciting
things happening in the next few months. Watch
for us in the upcoming issues of Byte Magazine.

Have a safe and Happy Holiday.

Thank you,

Kirk E. Frantz

President, Computer Components Unlimited

*&*

*I0**

Computer
Components
Unlimited

800-847-1718

OUTSIDE CALIFORNIA

RETAIL STORE:

11976 Aviation Blvd.
inglewood, CA 90304

MAIL ORDER:

P.O. BOX 1936
Hawthorne, CA 90250

This Ad Supersedes All Others
(213)643-5188

aii merchandise new we accept mc. visa, wire
Transfer, cod call, Certified check, P.O s from
qualified firms APO accepter] Shipping
Minimum S4. 50 first 5 pounds tax: California Res.
Only acid 6' j u sales tax

■ices Subject to

ancjj

Mon.— Fri. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

r>-1

MORE SPECIALS FROM

OLIDAY SAVINGS 20%

PRINTERS

C. ITOH

Gorilla-Banana, 50cps S 194

Prowriter8510, 120cps 349

ProwriterlH550(l5") 649

Prowriter I Serial 499

Prowriterll Serial 695

StarwriterF-10,40pu 1129

8600BP,180cps 999

PrintmasterF-10-55 1405

Epson

RX-80I120CPS) call

MX-80FT(80cps) Call

FX-8CM160CPS) Call

FX-100 (15" Carriage) Call

NEC

PC8023A(100cps) S 399

PC8025 (15" carriage) 699

Okidata

Microline92P(160cps) S 439

Microline92S(160cps) 599

Microline93P(160cps, 15") 779

Microline93SI160cps, 15") 899

Microline 82A (Par. & Serial) 379

Microline83A (15" Carriage) 599

Microline84P(200cps) 949

Microline84S(200cps) 999

Star Micronics

Cemini10X(120cps) S 294

Gemini 15 (100 cps) 339

Cemini15X 489

Delta 10 449

Letter Quality

BrotherHrl S 599

Comrexll 499

Juki 499

DvnaxDX-15 479

Daisywriter

2000w/Buffer S1199

Call For All Printers
Orange Micro

Grappler + $119

Grappler + w/i6Kexp.to64K 179

Apple Par. Card

card & cable S 49

Microtek

DumplingGX $ 99

Dumpling w/16Kexp. to64K 149

Additional 16K for 15

wesper Micro

Full Graphics Interface Card S 79

Cables

IBM to Printer S 29

Kaypro to Printer 29

Osborne to Printer 29

Okidata Options

Tractor for 82 & 92 S 59

2K Serial Buffer 119

Star Options

Serial interface S 60

Epson Options

Bufferw/Serial S 119

PRINTER ACCESSORIES

4

DISK DRIVES
FOR APPLE & FRANKLIN

Super 5

Sup-5 iVi Heigno S 209

Controller 69

Rana Systems

Elite I S 250

Elitell 400

Elite III (Ouad Density) 500

Controller(controlls4drives) 90

Quentin Research

Apple Mate S 219

Controller 60

Micro Sci

A-2 S 209

Controller 70

Mountain Computer

5 meg handisk S1795

^^^i^^^

Hayes Micro computer

300 Baud Smart Modem s 209

1200 Baud smart Modem 499

Micro Modem w/software 259

l200Baudw/smartcomforPC 409

Chronograph 229

Novation

J-Cat300Baud s 109

AppleCatll 249

51/4"&8" DISK DRIVES

Shugart

SA400,Sgl/Dbl S 160

SA455, Vi Height 225

SA801RSgl/Dbl 355

SA851RDbl/Dbl 475

Tandon

TM 100-1, 160K S 160

TM 100-2, 320K 235

TM101-4(quad) 299

TMTM 848-1 Sgl/Dbl Den 359

TM 848-2 Dbl/Dbl Den 435

Mitsubishi

2894 Dbl/Dbl 8" .. S 399

Siemans

FDD100-8,Sgl/Dbl S 159

CDC

9409T, 320K S 249

Circle 82 on Inquiry card.

IBM PC ACCESSORIES

Ast Research

10+ S 119

Combo+ 259

Six Pack + 279

Mega + 279

Mega Pack 279

Quadram

Quad Link S 475

ColorGraphicsCard 245

A Quadchrome Color Monitor 475

m Tandon

VA 320KDiskDrive S 235

^ Panasonic

fl Slimline Drive, 320K S 205

y cdc

\ 320kDiskDrive S 249

li 64K upgrade

9 each64K s 59

A Paradise Systems

K Multi DisplayCard S 399

/ Plantronics

Multi DisplayCard s 399

PC Cable

PrinterCable(6ft) S 29

Advanced Logic Systems

CPM 3.0 Card (6 MHZ) $ 299

zcard 139

CPM Card + SuperCalc 499

Astar

RF Modulator $ 18

Fan 39

Hi-quality Joystick 29

Gibson

Light pen S 239

Micro Max

80 col. for II + or Franklin, Inverse Char., Soft

switch, VidexCompatible S 139

80col.fONIEw/64kexp.128K 139

Kensington

|k System Saver s 79

Microsoft

N Softcardw/cpm S 239

fij l6kCard 69

b Premium Pack 499

k Calif o nia Computer Systems

M Serial interface card s 129

Jf tc Products

A joystick S 44

P Paddles 34

■► Selectaport 39

A Kraft

y Joystick S 49

Micro Tek

Bam16Kcard S 59

I

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we accept all p.o.'s from universities

CALL 800-847-1718

Low Prices!!!

MoilefCotd .]

Computer Components Unlimited

TO 40% OFF LIST PRICE

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PERSONAL /PORTABLE SYSTEMS

Franklin

Ace1000w/64K Call

Ace 1100 Call

Ace1200w/Drlve Call

Ace Pro Pack $1149

Franklin Ace Drive 299

Apple Computer

IIEW/64K S1090

HE Starter System 1525

Apple Drive 319

Apple HE 80 col. card 49

IBM

PC 64K, Keyboard, 1 Drive $1995

PC64K, Keyboard, 2 Drives 2245

XT Hard Disk Drive, 128K 4995

PC Monochrome Card 335

PCColorCard 275

PC Monochrome Monitor 335

Kaypro

Kayproll S1495

Kaypro4 1950

KayprolO 2595

Columbia

1600-1, 2 Dbl. Drives, Color card,

Keyboard S2795

Eagle

Call for pricing

Televideo

Teletotel S1395

Teletotell 1695

TS803 1900

TS1603 2450

Compupro

816A S4095

Call for compupro Board Pricing

Sanyo

MBC-555 S 975

MBC-1000 1395

stm Computers

PiedPiperl S 995

LOW PRICED
Hi Quality DISKETTES

Computer Components
5% "Disks

sglSide/Dbl Density Sl8abox

DblSide/DblDensity 27abox

8" Disks

SglSide/sgl Density Sl9abox

Dbl Side/Dbl Density 29abox

All Disks come w/ Reinforced Hub,
5 yr warranty and not bulk packed.

Fliptubs

Smoked Plexiglass Diskette File Holds 70 — S 19
Call for all brands of Disks.

TERMINALS

Oume

102, 80 col. Green

. . . S 539

102AM

549

103,80/132

.... 749

Adds

Viewpoint 3A+

... S 570

Televideo

925

S 719

950

. . . . 919

DISK DRIVE CABINETS

5Yo" cabinets

SingleCab.w/powersupply S 49

DualCab. w/powersupply 85

8" Cabinets

SingleCab.w/fan&powersupply S 209

DualCab.w/fan&powersupply 259

HOT CIRCUITS

watch Computer components to
expand in this area. Call for all
volume requirements.

TTL

74L&244 S1.39

Dynamic Rams

TMS4027 S1.99

UPD411 3.00

4116-200ns 1.59

4164-200ns 5.95

4164-150ns 6.95

Static Rams

2114L-2 S1.69

6116-4200ns 4.65

Eproms

1702 S4.40

2708 3.80

2716 7.50

2732 4.80

2764 6.00

Computer
Components
Unlimited

800-847-1718

OUTSIDE CALIFORNIA

RETAIL STORE:

11976 Aviation Blvd.
inglewood, CA 90304

MAIL ORDER:

P.O. BOX 1936
Hawthorne, CA 90250

I

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VIDEO DISPLAY MONITORS

USI

Pi 1 (9"GreenHiRes) $ 119

pi 2 (i2"CreenHiResl 139

pi 3 d2"AmberHiRes) 149

Pi 4 (9"AmberHiRes) 129

BMC

12AUW (12"0reenl S 79

9191 Color Composite 249

12EUN(20MHZHiResl 129

Zenith

ZVMl22(Creen) $ 99

ZVM123 (Amber) 129

Gorilla

HIResCreen $ 89

HiResAmber 99

Amdek

Color I Composite Color S 329

ColorllRCB 419

300A 159

310A 179

300C 149

Princton Graphics

PCSHX12 S 479

Circle 82 on inquiry card.

This Ad Supersedes All Others
(213)643-5188

AH merchandise new We accept MC, visa, Wire
Transfer, COD Call, Certified Check. P 0 s from
qualified firms. APO accepted Shipping
Minimum $4.50 first 5 pounds Tax California Res
Only add G>A% sales tax.

Prices Subject to Change

Mon.— Fri. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

^/PRODUCTS

P

HARDWARE

IBM PC COMBO CARD

MEMORY PLUS AT LOW PRICES!

Now! "Multicard" expandable

from 64-256K with

(1) PARALLEL (1) SERIAL

(1) CLOCK/CALENDAR

$22900

COEX 64 SPC with 64K
COEX 256 SPC with 256K

s39900

S-10064KcmosRAMCARD

Unbelievable
Price!

>299'

100

Assembled and Tested

ACP has sold over 1 000 of these IEEE compatible
low-priced, high-reliability 64K Static RAM Cards
• Single 5-Volt operation.

SIEMEN'S SALE

You can now purchase Shugart
compatible 8" Disk Drives below your

existing factory direct pricing
These Prices are the lowest ever published

•Siemen's SSDD FDD100-8 . . $169.00

Also, with purchase of Disk Drives

you can buy Ihe Vista V-1000 Dual Case

with Power Supply and Cable

for only $375.00 Regular Price $495.00

Oiler Limited! Factory Warranty 90 Dayst
Shipped Immediately from Slock! "OEM Quantities

DOT MATRIX PRINTER

COEX 80-FT

* 9x7 Dot Matrix. 80 CPS. 8i-Directional

Printing
**■ 2K Buffered Memory

80. 96. 132 Columns, Graphics and

Block Printing
f Selectable Char Pitch. Line Spacing

and Feed
COEX Interface Card to Apple $49.95

ACP HAS DISK DRIVES

APPLE II™ COMPATIBLE

Thin

Line jp

Drive

9 hta

TOSHIBA Half-High

PC Compatible • Double Sided

$24g00

TANDON 100-2

PC Compatible • Double Sided
$23Q00

OTHER DRIVES WE STOCK

AST Megaplus " Card

P/N MG064 {64K. S, C)
•Comboplus" Card

P/N MC-064SPC (64K. S. P. C) 3
•PC I/O Plua II" Card

P/N I/O (C. S) 1

•"SIX PACK"

P/N SP064SPC (64K. S, P. C)
COEX Extender Card
Prototype Card
HERCULES

Hercules Graphic Card
MOUSE SYSTEMS Mouse for IBM
MICROSOFT

Mouse plus Mullitoot Word
MAR 6 Slot Expansion Chassis

for IBMPC/XT or Eagle etc
ORCHID Hi-Res Graphics Adaptor

PERSVST Spectrum (64-256K)

P/N SP64, (64K. Clk. S. P)
PLANTRONICS Color plus" Card
QUADRAM Quadboard (64-256K)

P/N Q64, 64K w/4 functions 3

QuadLink Apple Card 6

Quadboard 64K

Microlazer Print Buffer MP-64
Ouadchrome (Hires RGB)
RIXON PC212A Modem I/O 5

SSM Transmodem 1200
USI Mullidisplay Card
VISTA "Mutllcard-" (exp. 64-2S6K)

P/N V-064 (64K, Clk, S, P) 3

P/N V-256 (256K. Clk, S, P) 6

•"Maxlcard"" (up to 576K)

P/N V-576-64K

P/N V-576-576K
•"PCMaater" (10 I/O) 4

•"PC Extender" (up to 10 I/O) 2

• "Dlikmaator" 2

•S Thinline Dual Floppy
•V12O0 6.2Mb Cartridge Drive

PRINTERS

List
3SS

ACP
$270

COEX SOFT BOcps

$299

DYNAX Daisywheel

SILVER REED

EXP500 132 Column

STAR MfCRONICS - NEW)

Gemini 10X 120cps

398

Gemini 15 15"

599

EPSON FX80

699

FX100

895

BROTHER HR-1/BMC

1195

DAtSYWRITER

1495

1 rx uaisywneei

NEC Spifiwfiter 3550

IBM PC to Parallel Cable

60

MONITORS

AMDEK CORP

3O0 Green 12"

$199

3tO Amber 12"

210

Color 1 Composite/Hitachi

399

Color II RGB Hi-Res

899

BMC

12" Green

129

PRINCETON GRAPHICS

RGB IBM Lookalike

700

DYSAN SW SS SD

10/$55

DYSAN 5V." DS SD

10/65

IBM 5W SS SD

10/60

IBM 5W SS DD

10/65

VERBATIM 525-01 SS

10/45

VERBATIM 550-01 DS

tO/55

MAXELL MD1 SS

10/50

MAXELL MD2 DS

10/60

Flip Storage Box BW" (SO disks)

BULK SPECIAL SS

10/25

With Sleeve and Sox

100/195

MORE IBM GOODIES

COMPUCABLE

Keyboard & Drive Cavers (sel)

CURTIS
PC Pedestal

PGS or Ouadchrome Adaptor
Vertical PC System Stand
IBM Mono Extension Cable
Keyboard Ext. Cable (3-9')

EPD PROTECTION DEVICES
The Lemon (Surge Prolector)
The Peach (Surge Prolector)
The Orange (with EMI/RFI)
The Lime

INTEL 8087 IC

KOALA PAD

KRAFT Joystick IBM

RAM EXPANSION
16K Motherboard (16 IC's)
64K Memory Exp. (9 IC s)

HAYES
Smartmodem 300
PC Modem Software 1 .3 (above)

Smartmodem 1200
PC Software 1 .4C (above)
Smartmodem 1200B
Smartcom II

800-854-8230

TWX

910-595-1565

APPLE™ COMPATIBLE

DISK

CONTROLLER

fMcippkz computer

.law- Authorized Dealer

Only

$4995

Apple Printer Interface

w/Apple to Epson Cable

$4995

Apple lie Compatible

80 Column SOQ95

Card W/64K 99

APPLE COOLING FAN

with

Surge

.Suppression

$4995

APPLE COMPATIBLE
POWER SUPPLY

APPLE COMPATIBLE
111 3j^ STICK

1595

only

VISTA V1200

6.2 Cartridge Drive w/Controller
Apple or IBM Compatible

Please Specify
with Order

■999

95

VISTA "SOLO"

Apple ll/lle
Compatible
Disk Drive

Totally compatible to Apple Drives.

Only

$•19995

Controller $49.95

Just plug in and run.

Apple II 16K
RAM CARD

Compatible with
Z80 So tt card' . PASCAL CP/M "

Full 1 year Warranty. Top Quality by COEX

NEW LOW S/IQ95

ACP PRICE 49

Also from COEX, NEW EPSON

Parallel Interface for Apple.

With cable $49.95

VISTA A800

8" Disk Controller

$29995

for Apple

VISTA "DISKMASTER"

IBM Compatible

$19995

3". 5". 6" and
V1200 Compatible

Mail Order: P.O. Bdx 17329 Irvine. CA 92713

Retail: 13106 E. Edinger, Santa Ana. CA 92705

(7 141 558-8313

542 w Trimble. San Jnse. i

(408) 9467010

Apple lie w/64K
Apple lie Syslem
Apple lie Sys w/Ext Text
Disk II w/Controller
Disk II w/o Controller
Monitor III Green
Super Serial Card
Parallel Interface Card
BO Column Text Card
Extended 80 Column Text
Dot Matrix Printer

UST
$1395.00
1995 00
2195.00
545.00
395.00
249.00
195.00
165.00
125.00
295.00
695.00

"Apple Product! Available In-Stora C

MORE HARDWARE

MICROSOFT

ZBO Sottcard

16K Ramcard
SSM

AIO-11 4 Funciion Serial/
Parallel
EASTSIDE

Wildcard Apple II
KENSINGTON

Syslem Saver
KEYBOARD COMPANY

Numeric Keypad

Apple II Joystick

Apple II Hand Controllers
KRAFT

Joystick

Hand Conlroller
MPC

128K Bubble Memory
PROMETHEUS

VERSAcard Four-m-t
VISTA COMPUTER CO.

A800 8" Disk Conlrol

Quartet Disk Drive 5%"

Solo Disk Drive w/Conlr

Solo Drive w/O Conlr

Vista 5%" Disk Contr

Typehead Buffer
VIDEX

Videolerm 80x24 Card

Keyboard Enhancer II

Soft Switch

Function Strip Keys
PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS

16K Micro tjuHor

32K Microbuffer

Snapshot Option
VOTRAX

Type nTalk Speech

Personal System
VYNET

Apple II Voico Syn.

Apple II Telephone I/O
SCOTT INSTRUMENTS

Voice Recognita VET60
COEX

16K RAM Card

Parallel Card w'Cable

Apple Protocard

Apple ExtBndercard

Applo lie Ext RAM Card
CORVUS
ORANGE MICRO

The Grappler I/O (PlusJ

The Buffo rboard
SATURN SYSTEMS

32K RAM Card

128K RAM Card
STREET

ECHO II
LEGEND

64KC ll/lle

128KC Mile

18SRC 1BK Sialic
MICROPRO WordStar w CP M
MOUNTAIN COMPUTER

CPS Multilunction

Music Syslem

AD plus DA

ROM Plus
M4R ENTERPRISES

Sup'rterm 80x24 Card

Sup'rMod II

Sup'rMod V (IBM)
ALS

The CP/M Plus Z80 Card

Smarter m 80x24 Card

The Synergizer Package

LIST
$395.00
195 00

ACP

$249.00

09.00

149 95
49 95
29 95

199.00

379.95
849.00
299.00
24900
92.00
49 95

34500
149.00
35 00
79.00

259 00
299 00
149.00

799.00

99 00
99 00
29.00

29.00
199.00

299.00
799.00
249.00
199.00
49.00

279.00
129.00
30.00
69.00

220.00

253.00
109.00

327.00

599 00

149 00

499

239 00
395 00
350 00

155.00

395.00
69.00
69.00

399.00
349.00

699.00

269.00
499.00
135.00

415

169.00
335.00
299.00
129.00

269.00
49.00
49.00

zsaBasmm

SAVE UP TO 40%

BUSINESS
Screen Writer
BD Master
Visicalc'" 3.3
Visiptol
PFS. File II
PFS. File III
Visilrend/Vis'plol
PFS. Graph II
PFS. Graph III
Multiplan
Versaform
Wordstar
dBASE II
Supercalc
PFS, Report II
PFS. Report III
Accl Plus G/L
G/L, A/P. A/R
Above + Inventory
Magic Window
HOME
Home Accountant

Tranaond I
TranBend II
Visiterm

ASCII Exprs. Prof

$129 HOBBY

155 Zoom Graphics

185 Utility City

159 Locksmith 4.0

115 Nibbles Away ll

155 GAMES

25 Choplillor

115 Frogger

155 Wizardy

199 Snack Attack

279 Cannonball Blitz

299 Knight Diamonds

439 Zork I

169 Zork III

95 Starcross

115 Serpentine

299 Star Blazer

59S Deadline

799 Tubeway

115 Flight Simulator
Space Vikings

59 Sargon II

76 Spitfire Simulator

119 Apple Panic

89 Olympic Decath

Apple" Apple Trademark of Apple Computer
IBM" IBM Trademark ol international Business
Machines

TERMS: MO Cashier's Check Bank Wire. Personal check*
allow 2 weeks Iw processing Include Drivers License and
credit card * s VtM, AMEX CB add 3N mwvic* charge Add
3% shipping & handling ex $2.50. whenever it greater Add
10% lor foreign orders ex US Parcel Poet Include Telephone
number. NO COOa Prices eubiect to change without notice.
Some rtem* subject to pnor sato We reserve Ihe nghl to
iub»liluie manufacturer Retail pries* may vary.

638 BYTE December 1983

Circle 12 on inquiry card.

ADVANCED

£OTj1£tti3£

PRODUCTS

Serving Computer Professionals Since 1976

HARDWARE

AST Megaplus " Card Ust

P/N MG064 (64K, S, C) 395

•Comboplus" Card

P/N MC-064SPC (64K, S. P. C) 395
•PC I/O Plua II- Card

P/N I/O (C, S) 165

•■•SIX PACK"

P/N SP064SPC (64K. S. P, C)
COEX Extender Card 40

Prototype Card 69

HERCULES

Hercules Graphic Card
MOUSE SYSTEMS Mouse for IBM
MICROSOFT

Mouse plus Mullitool Word
ORCHID

Hi-Res Graphics Adaptor 395

PERSYST Spectrum (64-256K)

P/N SP64, (64K, Clk, S, P)
PLANTRONICS Color plus" Card
QUADRAM Quadboard (64-256K)

P/N 064, 64K w/4 functions 395

QuadLink Apple Card 680

Ouadboard 64K

Microfazer Print Buffer MP-64
Quadchrome (Hires RGB)
RIXON PC212A Modem I/O 596

SSM Transmodem 1200
USI Multidisplay Card
VISTA "Multlcard "" (axp. 64-2S6K)

P/N V-064 (64K. Clk, S, P) 395

P/N V-256 (256K. Clk, S, P) 695

• "Maxlcard"" (up to 576K)

P/N V-S76-64K

P/N V-576-576K
•"PCMaiter" (10 I/O) 495

•"PC Extender" (up to 10 I/O) 249
•"Diakmaater" 299

•8" Thlnllne Dual Floppy
•V1200 6.2Mb Cartridge Drive

ACP

$279

279

115

299
29

35

359
269

Call

339

319
399

279
525
279
190
488
449
479
299

229
399

249
729
329
199
199
Call
999

PRINTERS

COEX 80F/T BOcps

DYNAX Daisywheel

SILVER REED
EXP500 132 Column

STAR MICRONICS - NEWI
Gemini tOX 120cps 399

Gemini 15 15" 599

EPSON FX80 699

FX100 895

BROTHER HR-1/BMC 1195

DAISYWRITER 1495

TTX Daisywheel
i NEC Spinwriter 3550

IBM PC to Parallel Cable 60

S299 S199
525

319
469
549
749
895

1295
549

1875
39

MONITORS

AMDEK CORP

300 Green 12" $199

$155

310 Amber 12" 210

175

Color I Composite/Hitachi 399

339

Color II RGB Hi-Res 899

695

BMC

12" Green 129

89

PRINCETON GRAPHICS

RGB IBM Lookalike 700

545

DISKETTES

DYSAN 5'/." SS SD
DYSAN 5'/." DS SD
IBM 57/' SS SD
IBM 5'/4" SS DD
VERBATIM 525-01 SS
VERBATIM 550-01 DS
MAXELL MD1 SS
MAXELL MD2 OS

, FUP S

| BULK SPECIAL SS

With Sleeve and Box

10/S55

$38

10/65

48

10/60

43

10/65

47

10/45

23

10/55

34

10/50

29

10/60

39

19

10/25

19

00/195

149

MORE IBM GOODIES

COMPILABLE

Keyboard & Drive Covers (set)
CURTIS

$19

PC Pedestal

$80

64

PGS or Quadchrome Adaptor

10

Vertical PC System Siand

20

IBM Mono Extension Cable

50

44

Keyboard Ext. Cable (3-9')

34

EPD PROTECTION DEVICES

The Lemon (Surge Protector)

43

The Peach (Surge Protector)
The Orange (with EMI/RFI)

68

122

The Lime

76

INTEL tJ087 IC

199

KOALA PAD

99

KRAFT Joystick IBM

70

40

RAM EXPANSION

16K Motherboard (16 IC's)

19

64K Memory Exp. (9 IC's)

50

TIME SHARE SERVICES

COMPUSERVE Subscripts
SOURCE Subscription

MODEMS

HAYES

Smarlmodem 300

$210

PC Modem Software 1.3 (above)

49

Smarlmodem 1200

525

PC Software 1 .4C (above)

79

SmartmodBm 1200B

445

Smartcom II

79

Smarlmodem to IBM Cable

25

SOFTWARE

dBASE II

*39900

Condor

$38900

SuperCalc

$9900

SuperCalc 2

*1 7900

Multiplan

$1 8900

Wordstar

$29900

Lotus 1-2-3

Call!

T. K. Solver!

Call!

Flight Simulator

$4500

Context MBA

Call!

Computer

Inovations

C86C Compiler

$36900

Copy II Plus

$0000

Visiword
$23900

Digital Research

Pascal MT + 86 $295.00

Concurrent CP/M 86 260.00

CBASIC86 149.00

Plus More Great

Software Values

In Our

1983 Catalog!

Send For

Your Copy NOW.

II ! I

If You're Thinking IBM PC '",

READ THIS!

COEX Combocard II

* 64K to 256K RAM

* ASYNC Serial Port

* Clock/Calendar w/Nicad Backup

* Parallel Printer Port

* RAM Disk Software

* Spooler Software

64K ,$229

00

256K o„v$39900

Zero "K" Version Available Only $199.00

PLUS! . . .with Purchase of either
Memory card above

SUPERCALC™ only $89.00 (195.00 value)

Disk Emulator FREE

Print Spooler FREE

ACP PC "FEATURE OF THE MONTH"

1. DISKMASTER'". Disk Controller (or IBM PC or XT adds boih BW and 8"

floppy drives. Complete with Software. Same card can also handle List ACP
the Amlyn 6.2 Mb Cartridge Add-on Subsystem $299 $199

2. VISTA 1200 with DISKMASTER" $999

3. M&R "SUP'R EXTENDER'"". IBM PC & XT Expansion Chassis with (6) Slots, Power

Supply and Fan. Your price!!! only $439.00. You cannot afford to live without one.

DISK DRIVES

TANDON 100-2

PC Compatible • Double Sided

$23900

TOSHIBA % High

PC Compatible • Double Sided
$24900

Circle 12 on inquiry card.

I TERMS: MO. Cashier's Check. Bank Wire. Personal checks
I allow 2 weeks lor processing Include Drivers License and credit

sNpp'g%r„r^s2C»T,S™r™?.,r9Aed.r„d,^ Retail: 1310 E. Edinger, Santa Ana, CA 92705 |

foreign orders or US Parcel Post. Include Telephone number, NO

CODs. Prices subject to change without notice Some items

subject to prior sato. We reserve the right to substitute manu-
I lecturer. Retail prices may vary. We are not an authorized IBM
| dealer. IBM" trademark of International Business Machines.

MAILORDER: P.O. Box 17329 Irvine, CA 92713

(714) 558-8813

542 W. Trimble, San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 946-7010

800-854-8230

TWX

910-595-1565

64K MEMORY P.S.C.S229.00

Six
Solid Reasons

You Should
Buy From

Priority One
Electronics

640 byte December 1983 Circle 351 on Inquiry card.

Quick Delivery. We appreciate
that speed of delivery is of primary
concern to you. And, we share that
concern. We are organized for and
committed to shipping orders within
24 hours. Our order pulling day begins
before 6:00 am, with crews working
until after midnight to process every
order as quickly as possible. Not only
will your order arrive promptly, it will
also be correct. Our triple check
quality procedures is your guarantee
that your order will be right — the first
time.

Before sales support. Our

knowledgeable sales representatives
are available to answer your questions
about the products we sell. They have
the latest price and availability
information at their fingertips from our
100 user Alpha Micro Computer
System. Our manufacturers and in-
house engineering staff hold regular
training seminars to keep our sales
staff abreast of the latest information
in our rapidly evolving marketplace.

After sales support. It has been
said that "a mail order distributor
cannot support their customers from a
distance". If this is a rule, then WE ARE
THE EXCEPTION. We are often able
to offer better support than the local
dealer who must thinly spread his
limited technical resources across all
the products he sells. Because of our
size and large customer base, we are
able to maintain a staff of engineers
and technicians who specialize in
specific areas to better serve you.

Largest and Fastest Growing.

This year Inc Magazine has named us
"the 31st fastest growing, privately
held, company in the entire United
States." Making us number one in our
field. We thank you for making this
possible. We strive daily to earn your
continued patronage. Even we make a
mistake now and then. And when we
do, our courteous Customer Service
Department is only a phone call away.
Our strength has allowed us and our
customers to weather the storm of
"PO Box Operations" that proliferate
within this industry. These fly-by-night
companies, are here today with a
lower price, but are gone tomorrow,
leaving their customers high and dry.

PRIORITY

Product and Pricing.

We are proud of the
products we sell. Our new product
evaluation procedures approve less
than 10% of the products offered to
us. We are selective, because you
deserve it. And yet, we carry the
broadest line of quality computer
products and accessories. And we
stock them in depth. Our multi-million
dollar inventory is testimony to our
committment to rapid delivery. Our
unequalled purchasing power allows
us to continually offer the most
competitive prices, while maintaining
the financial strength necessary to
insure the professional support you
expect from us.

New Catalog. Our new, 104 page,
full color Winter '83/Spring '84
Engineering Selection Guide is hot off
the press. This publication has
become the Bible of Our Industry
because of the wide variety of
products, and the comprehensive
technical information included. As an
added bonus, if you act now and place
your order before December 31,
1983, you can save up to an
additional 10% off our already
discounted catalog prices. If you or an
associate have not yet received your
copy, call our toll-free number, and
one will be mailed today.

ELECTRONICS

9161 Deering Ave,, Chatsworth, CA 91311
(800)423-5922 (213) 709-5111

Circle 351 on Inquiry card.

RYTE December 1983 641

WIREMASTER

Whip your wire wrap
and PC layout
problems with
WIREMASTER

WIREMASTER is a software tool for design,
layout, and assembly of hardware. Your
schematic is fed to WIREMASTER, which
produces network maps, cross-references,
wire and parts lists, and debug checklists.
CHANGEM ASTER keeps track of fixes and
updates. PLOTBOARD and PRINTBOARD
give pictures of the layout. Post-processors
for wirewrap machines available. Runs on
CP/M, MSDOS, UNIX, and VMS. $195.

AFTERTHOUGHT ENGINEERING 7266 Court-
ney Dr., San Diego, CA 92111, (619)279-2868.

CONTROL YOUR WORLD"
# WITH YOUR VIC-20 ,

With simple circuits using low cost parts and our
program supplied on cassette tape, we'll show
you how to use your COMMODORE VIC-20 for:

■ Digital Thermometers ■ Digital Clock

■ Burglar Alarm - 2 Zone, Time Controlled

■ Fire Alarm - 2 Zone, Time Controlled

■ Dusk to Dawn Lighting with Photo Cell

■ Furnace and Air Cond., Clock and Thermostat

■ Clock Controlled Appliance Switches

Simple program variations in basic can operate
lights, motors, furnaces, machines, heat pumps,
radios, sound systems, test equipment, swim-
ming pools, garden watering, and more.

Your video screen will display simultaneously:
• Two Digital Temperatures • Digital Time • Two
Analog Inputs * Five Input Ports Status • Eight
Output Ports Status.

GET A LOW COST EDUCATION IN COMPUTER CONTROL.
ORDER YOUR CASSETTE AND INSTRUCTION BOOK NOWI |
S39.90 PRICE INCLUDES POSTAGE.
Terms: MASTER CARD/VISA

The Continental Press, Inc., Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Toll tree: 800-233-0759 Colled in PA: (717) 367-1836

Protect your computer
from high voltage power surge

NOW AVAILABLE IN 1 0 SOCKETS

$TQ95

79

®

□ CHECK D AMERICAN EXPRESS LI CARTE BLANCHE

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□CO

EXPIRATION DATE

NAME

ADDRESS

OTY

STATE,

.ZIP.

mail to: Computronix Corporation

BOX 1425

MELVILLE. NY 11747

Circle 506 on Inquiry card.

Circle 509 on Inquiry card.

Circle 512 on Inquiry card.

DATA SWITCH

FOR IBM PC PRINTER INTERFACE

Model 1 220 Bi Directional Data Switch
with 3-3ft. data cables gives an IBM PC
user 2 Centronics Interfaces to connect e
draft printer & letter quality printer to his
'arallel Interface. A toggle switch on the
ront panel selects the desired printer
tans at any speed. Built in data cables
save money. Supplied assembled anc
:eated. $179.00. Available from yout
ocal computer dealer or

Terminal Data Corp.

1 1878 Coaklay Circle. Rockvilla, MD

13011 BB1-76S5

12 Bit

A/D

Converter

Professional data conversion for your Apple®
computer at a new low price of s29995

Compare with any compati tius product at twica tha price!

• 16 channels ol analog input

• Full 12 bit data accuracy (1 part in 4096)

• Ns programming needed — convert any channel direct
from Basic

• Complete accessory software on disk

— Including high-speed access handler

— "Demo-Scope" multichannel waveform display

— Plain English discussion and example tutorial
• Applications include:

— Security

— Control

— Laboratory data acquisition

— Voice analysis

— Energy control

G842 VAUEAN AVE.
VANNUVS, CA. 91406

(2131 989-1204

APPLE -PROM
EPROM BURNER CARD

Circle 507 on Inquiry card.

Circle 510 on inquiry card.

All menu-driven software is provided aiong
with a complete users manual. All com-
mands are self-prompting, there are no per-
sonality modules required and all voltages
are on-board card.
BURNS EPR0MS FEATURES

2708 2532 2732 'Auto erase verify
2716 2516 2764 'Auto burn verify
2732A 2564 'Partial burn capacity

«iinr>c "Low Insertion force
only 1«9" socket
now Available apple- -prom Console unit!

Computer Technology Associates

New Products Division

1704 MOOn, N.E.

Albuquerque, N.M. 87112
= = i (505) 298-0942
specifications subject to change without notice
Apple Is a registered trademark of Apple computer, inc.
visa mc ae Accepted

Circle 513 on Inquiry card.

agiKey*

THE FULL-FEATURED KEYBOARD EXPANDER

Redefine any key to send a string ol characters.
MagiKey™ does more . . .

* automates application software, integrates
function or cutsor keys

* "help" menus displayed at any time

* built-in batch processing more powerful
than SUBMIT or XSUB

* strings can redefine keys, pause lor lill-the-
blonks keyboard input, or contain nested
key definitions

* invisible to system and software

* lor any 8080-8085-Z80-CP/M 2.2, no
system ot software modifications

$ioo

8" SSSD. Kaypto 5V." - inquire obout other 5//' lormots
check. VISA, MC odd 6% to« in CA

mo*

CP M rim) OoltoJ Research

microSystems

16609 Sagowood Lane
Powcry, California 92064
(619)693-1022

LC NETWORK
LINE FILTER

Model C-519-L1 EMI/RFI filter protects
against high energy transients. . -varistor
clamps higher voltages to safe
levels. . .Max Rating: 15 A, 125 VAC,
1B75 Watts continuous duty. . .$97.50.

J. W. MILLER
DIVISION/Bell Industries

(9070 Reyes Ave., Roncho

Dominguez, CA 90224

(213) 537-5200

SAVE

ON CONTINUOUS
BLANK LETTERHEAD

WITH CLEAN-EDGE-PERF

I 500/Pkg.

9112x11

20 lb.

8.50/Pkg.

1 2600/Ctn.

9 112x11

20 lb.

34.95/Ctn.

SAVE

ON CUSTOM PRINTED
CONTINUOUS STATIONERY

WITH CLEAN-EDGE-PERF

PAPER

WT.

1M

3M

SM

White Bond

20

95.00

54.00

32.00

25% White Rag

20

105.00

60.00

39.00

Classic Laid White

24

115.00

69.00

45.00

Classic Laid Ivory

24

115.00

69.00

45.00

Size: 9 1/2 x 11- Delsched To: 6 1/2 x 11

SEND IN YOUR COPY OF LETTERHEAD. WE WILL
MATCH INK AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE. TWO COLOR
ADD 35.00IFLAT

ENCLOSE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. NO COD'S.
ALLOW 3 WEEKS. FASTER DELIVER WITH M/C,
VISA PHONE ORDERS. ILLINOIS RESIDENCE ADD
5 1/4% SALES TAX.

ALL PRICES ARE DELIVERED!

COMPUTER PAPER PEOPLE

P.O. BOX 381 • WINFIELD, ILL 60190

(312) 665-7601

Circle 508 on Inquiry card.

Circle 511 on Inquiry card.

Circle 514 on Inquiry card.

IBM PC 256K

2X 320 KB DS/DD DISK DRIVES

FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLER

ALL FOR $2599

+ v

&F

&*

IBM PC256K COLOR GRAPHICS BOARD FLOPPY DRIVE CONTROLLER

WITH PARALLEL PORT 360KB DS/DD DISK DRIVE, PRINTER, CABLE

DOS 2.0, lONB HARD DISK SUBSYSTEM INCLUDES CABLE,

CONTROLLER, POWER SUPPLY, CABINET, SOFTWARE

DISK DRIVES FOR IBM PC

Double Sided/Double Density 320KB $225
HARD DISK FOR IBM PC
5MB $1399 10MB $1599 15MB $2199
MEMORY BOARDS

AST MULTIFUNCTION $299

AST I/O PLUS $199

QUADRAM 256K MULTIFUNCTION . . . $399

HERCULES CARD $499

QCS BIG BLUE CARD $479

HAYES

SMARTMODEM 300 BAUD $239

SMARTMODEM 1200 BAUD $559

MONITORS

PQS COLOR MONITOR HX-12 $499

AMDEK, NEC MONITORS AVAILABLE . CALL

APPLE He STARTER SYSTEM $1599

DISK DRIVE FOR APPLE II & He . . . $219

PRINTERS

BROTHER HR-1 $750
OKIDATA 82 A. $499

84A $999

GEMINI 10 . . . $359
NEC 3510 . . $1499

7710

EPSON RX80 . $379

MX80 $449

HAYES SMARTMODEM
HAYES SMARTMODEM
VISICALC .... $199
LOTUS 1-2-3. . $359
SUPER CALC II $199
WORD PERFECT $349

HR-15 $499

83A $699

93A $959

15 $529

3550 $1899

$2075

FX80 $599

MX100 $649

300 BAUD . .

1200 BAUD . ,
MULTIPLAN . .
WORDSTAR .
MAILMERGE .
EASY WRITER

$239
$559
$199
$329
$179
$129

TAVA PC

Desk Top, IBM PC Compatible Computer, Runs
DOS 1.1, 2.0, CP/M86 $1025

COMPUTER POST INC.

22102 CLARENDON ST. STE. #1
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91367
(213) 9991041

CALL FOR FREE PRICE SHEET.

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHAQE WITHOUT NOTICE.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING EXTRA

Circle 106 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983

643

CORONA

$2395

.2 Or. 320K ea.

• 128K RAM

• software

Your choice of DESKTOP or PORTABLE

• NEC 8201 A note book computer $677

• IBM-PC 64K, 2 Drs, color graphics . . $2499

• COLUMBIA 2 Drs, Kybd, software . . . $2495

• EAGLE-PC 2 Drs, Mon, 128K, software $2495

• SANYO-550 IBM Compatible, 128K . . . $899

• FRANKLIN Ace 1200 OMS package . $1699

• FRANKLIN Ace 1000 Pro package . . $1199

• SIGMA DESG 10MB expsn chassis . $1799

• DATAMAC 10 MB Internal (IBM-PC) $1499

• EPSON FX-100 the best of Epson $739

• Delta 10 better than FX-80 call

• DYNAX DX-15 letter quality, 16 cps . . $429

• SILVER REED EXP-550 20 cps, 1 6'1 wide $599

• OKI 92 160 cps DP, 40 cps correspdn $475

• OKI 84 200 cps DP, 50 cps correspdn $948

—Call for other items not listed—

MICROLAND 5223 Beechnut

Add 3% for MC/VISA Houston, TX 77096

COD 15% deposit (713)668-4695
(ship same day order)

FREE

We will meet any legitimate advertised
price in this issue of BYTE on any com-
puter, terminal or printer we stock and ship
it free (46 states) via UPS. Closeouts and
items not stocked are excluded.

Call, or, you may order by including the
other ad, or its page no., and your certified
check or money order. Insurance, if you
wish it, is 50« per $100 extra.

All items factory sealed & warranted.
Sorry no credit cards, personal or company
checks. 10% deposit on CODs.

CIRCLE READER SERVICE CARD FOR
DISCOUNT BULLETIN

©

H. L. WHITAKER Co.
7603 Firestone Bl.
Downey, CA 90241
(213) 566-3556

Authorized dealer: Columbia, Diablo, Eagle, ITOH,
Morrow, NEC, North Star, Qume, Seiko, Silver-
Reed, Televideo and other major brands.

COMPILER

for 8080/8085/Z80

the ubjcii cock- b COMPACT
I iv FASTEST in turrcnl (.' inmuil

"Sirvc" plenum

for pamphlet write:
P.O.Box 508 STA. CRUZ
CA. USA 95062

far furthei inhumation contact

LSI JAPAN CO., LTD.

2-24-9 YOYOCI SHIBUYA-KU TOKYO (151> 1APAN
PHONE(03 1379-2427

Circle 317 on Inquiry card.

Circle 92 on Inquiry card.

Circle 270 on inquiry card.

AFFORDABLE &
RELIABLE

EPROM

PROGRAMMERS
& UV ERASERS

See our ad on Page 14
LOGICAL DEVICES, INC

ONE KEYWORD PROCESSING
on your TELEVIDEO1"
with WORDSTAR '" and . . .

&

1

Nu
Key

" /

59995

Mastercard
Visa

■ Nu Key " Automates the 36 most
commonly used word processing functions

■ Reduces learning time while increasing
operator speed

■ For beginners and Wordstar experts

■ Comes complete with 14 new matching
keycaps

For your TELEVIDEO MO, TS-800. IS-800A. and TS 802
PLEASE SEND WORDSTAR SERIAL NUMBER TO:

Business Solutions, Inc.
91 W. Long Lake Rd., Suite 9
Bloomfleld Hills, Ml 4801 3
(313)540-3360

CP'M "OF DIGITAL IUSEARCH/TElEVIDEO* tElESOLUnONi "
OF IELEVIOEOJ WORDSTAR * OF MCROPRO INTERNATIONAL!
NuKfViKWIC-KEV "OF BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INC

ompuPro

Lowest prices on CompuPro boards

CALL FOR QUOTE

CUSTOM SOLUTIONS

are our specialty.

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
Hardware & Software Experts

• NOW AVAILABLE •

COM PUPRO-1 0 Multi-User 8/1 6 System

Mention this ad tor a 10% DISCOUNT

off any system

ONETCO

OfFlCE NUrVOnttS COHPOflANON

(703)690-3312

14057 Jeff. Davis Hwy.
Woodbridge, VA 22191
FULL SERVICE SYSTEM CENTER

Circle 266 on inquiry card.

Circle 54 on inquiry card.

Circle 324 on inquiry card.

CHIPS.

'&

DALE 13

THE INFLATION FIGHTERS1

4116

20Ons

8/5 12.00

4116

150ns

8/813.75

2114L

3O0ns

8/5 12.00

2114L

200ns

8/S 13.00

4164

200ns

$5.50 each

4164

150ns

$5.95 each

6116

150ns

$5.20 each

6116

200ns

$4.85 each

6116LP

150ns

$5.85 each

1791

Disk Controller

$20.00 each

1771

Disk Controller

$16.75 each

Z80A.Z80ACTC

$3.50 each

Z80AP10

54.00 each

82J 1 A

$4.00 each

8255

$4.25 each

2716-1 5V 350ns 8/$4.25 $5.00 each

2716 5V 450ns $3.35 each

2732 5V 450ns $3.85 each

2532 5V 450ns 8/S4.25 $5.00 each

2764 5V 300ns 28 pin $5.95 each

2564
8087
68000

5V

CALL
CALL
CALL

Allow up lo 3 wks. lor personal checks to dear. Please Include
phone number. Prices subject to change without notice. Shipping &
Handling for Chips 53.50. FOB Bellevue. WA. for all else.
Washington state residents add 7.97. Sales Tax.

CHIPS & DALE

10655 N.E. 4th St.. Suite 400

Bellevue, WA 98004

1-206-451-9770

COMPUTER SUPPLIES

FOR ALL MAKES & MODELS

DISKETTES

5%

S/S S/D

MIN. ORDER 50

RIBBONS

NEC

3500

(NON-FLIP CARTRIDGEI

EPSON

MX70/MX80

EPSON

MX 100

MIN. ORDER 6

$644

$464
$^84

CONTINUOUS FORMS

CALL TOLL FREE 1-800 248-2418

IN N.Y. STATE (212) 967-1700
TERMS-VISA, MC OR COD
DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED

WORLDWIDE COMPUTER SUPPLIES

159 MAIN ST., S.I., N.Y. 10307

Maxell Floppy Disks

The Mini-Disks
with maximum quality.

Dealer inquiries
invited. C.O.D's
accepted. Call
FREE (800) 235-4137.

■G

PACIFIC EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd.. San Luis
San Luis Obispo. CA 93401
In Catcall (800) 592-5935 or
(805)543-1037

Circle 67 on Inquiry card.

Circle 460 on Inquiry card.

Circle 334 on inquiry card.

KENSINGTON

MmiiMiM

SYSTEM SAVER

• Surge Suppression

• Dual Outlet

• U.L. Listed

• Fits Apple $i

Stand

65

SPmOKB*

DELT

\ DRAWING 32.99

FACEMAKEfl 2199

HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE 19 99

KINDERCOMP

999

MOST AMAZING THING 26 99

RHYMES AND RIDDLES

9.99

SNOOPER TROOPS 1

7,99

SNOOPER TROOPS 2

799

STORY MACHINE

1.99

XMAS SPECIAL

1 of each 214.99

RcaglcBroC

ALPHA PLOT

24.99

APPLE MECHANIC

19 99

BEAGLE BAG

19.99

BEAGLE BASIC

24.99

DOS BOSS

15.99

DOUBLE TAKE

2499

FLEX TEXT

19.99

FRAME-UP

16 99

PRONTO DOS

19 99

TIP DISK* 1

1499

TYPEFACES

1499

UTILITY CITY

19.99

XMAS SPECIAL 234

.99

1 0

f each

EDUWAO

ALGEBRA 1. Il.oi III

27.99

COMPUMATH

34.99

COMPUREAD

21.99

COMPUSPELL

21 99

DECIMALS 3 0

3399

FRACTIONS 3 0

33.99

PERCEPTION GAMES

19.99

PRISONER II

23.99

PSAT WORD ATTACK

33.99

RENDEZVOUS

27.99

SAT WORD ATTACK

33.99

SPELLING BEE GAMES

27.99

SPELLING/ READING PRIMER

27.99

STATISTICS

2199

MONITORS

PRINCETON RGBHX-I2
0UADCHR0MERGBHX-12
TAXAN RGB-I or III
TAXAN 12" Green 18mM
USIPI1 9"Gteen20mh
USIPI2 12" Green 20mh
USI PI 3 12" Amber 20mh
USI PI 4 9" Amber 20mh
USI I400C Color Composite
OSBORNE Monitor Cable
Ti Monitor Cable
RCA 6' Male- Male
lie lo Princeton caid/cable

48999
499 99
SCALL
119.99
116 99
119.99
14699
136 99
288.99
SCALL
SCALL
3 99
139.99

TAXAN 12" Amber18mh 124.99

APIC (APPLE /// PARALLEL)
IPIC (IBM PARALLEL)
ERAM 80 column 64K HE
MICROFAZER
0UADB0ARDIorll(64K)
0UADC0L0R I
OUADCOLOR II
QUAD 51 2+ (64 K)
OUADCHROME MONITOR

129.99
89.99
SCALL
SCALL
279.99
23499
209.99
24999
499.99

QUADLINK

479.99

APPLE
SOFTWARE

BPKGLAP.AR.PAY.INVI 299 99

BRODERBUND Arcade Machine 44.99

Bank Street Writer 52.99

Oavid's Midnite Magic 26.99

Loderunner 2699

CENTRAL POINT Copy 11+ 25 99

CORVUS SCALL

DATAMOST Aztec 29 99

Swashbuckler 26.99

Kids* APPLE, VIC, COMMea 14.99

DATASOFT Canyon Climber 17.99

Zaxxon 2999
DLM Alien Addition Sch-37.99. H-27.99
Alligalor Mix: Sch-37.99. H-27.99
Demolition Division: Sch-37.99, H-27.99
Dragon Mix: Sch-37.99, H-27.99
Meteor Multiplication Sch-37.99, H-27 99
Minus Mission: Sch-37 99, H-27 99

Spelling Wiz or Verb Viper 37 99

Word Invasion or Word Man 37,99

Word Master or Word Radar 37,99

EOUFUN Frenzy Flip Flop 23.99

EPYX Crush Crumble Chomp 22 99

GRAPH 'nCALC 149.99

HAYDEN Piewnter 12999

Saigon II 2699

INCREDIBLE JACK 12999

JOR-AND Secret Agent 21.99

KENSINGTON Formal! II 26 99

LSS Crossword Magic 39.99

LEARNING CO Bumble Games 29 99

Bumble Plot 29.99

Gertrudes Puzzle 32.99

Gertrudes Secret 32.99

Juggles Rainbow 22 99

Magic Spell 26.99

Moplown Parade 26.99

Rocky 5 Boots 37 99

LIGHTNING Mastertype 2999

MICROLAB Highnse 22 99

Miner 20-49er 29.99

Deatti In the Caribbean 26.99

Dala Factory 229.99

ODESTA CHESS 53.99

Checkers 37.99

Odin 37 99

PEACHTREE SCALL

PENGUIN Graphics Magician 44.99

SIERRA ON LINE Froggcr 24 99

Screenwriter II 89.99

Screenwriter PRO 149.99

Ultima II 44.99

Cannonball Blitz 26.99

General Manager 169 99

Dark Crystal 29 99
SOFTWARE DIMENSIONS ACCT+II SCALL

STATE OF THE ART SCALL

SU8L0GIC Pinball 26.99

ULTRASOFT Serpents Star 29 99

Mask ol the Sun 29.99

VISICORP SCALL

CALCSTAR

DATASTAR

MAILMERGE

REPORTSTAR

SPELLSTAR

STARINDEX

SUPERSORT

WORDSTAR PRO

8999
179.99
139.99
199.99
139 99
109.99
139.99
38999

SCALL

INFOSTAR

WORDSTAR FOR
SPECIAL
PRICING

- am

MICROSOFT

ALD.S

APPLESOFT COMPILER
BASIC COMPILER
COBOL COMPILER
DECATHLON (APPPLEI
FLIGHT SIMULATOR (IBM!
MOUSE (IBM|
MULTITOOL BUDGET
SOFTCARD 11 +
SOFTCARD PREMIUM (lie)
TYPING TUTOR II
64KIBMSYSTEMCARD

75.99
116.99
259.99
559.99

22.99

34,99
129,99
109 99
21599
35999

18.99
295.99

MULTIPLAN

165.99

■

R!'1 ■■£■'■

UjIlM

CP/M3.0

279.99

380 Z
LETTER QUALITY
DAISY WHEEL PRINTER 1

• 48K Buffer QQQ QQ 1

• 32CPS www. ww

• Graphics

• 10,12, 15 Pitch

Dispatcher 99.99

SMARTTERM II, or
Z-CARD II

129.99

• Proportional spacing

Sheet Feeder 599.99 1
Tractors 129.99 1
Cable (Please Specify) 49.99 1

APPLE
HARDWARE

CDP16K RAM CARD 39.99

Printer Cards Cable 39.99

Fan w/surge, 2 Outlets 39.99
DAN PAYMAR Lower Case 1 [rev 1 -6| 25.99

Lower Case.2|rev7) 19,99

DARK STAR Snapshot II 99 99

EASTSIDE Wildcard 119,99

FOURTH DIMENSION Drive 219.99

HAYES Micromodem II 254.99

HOME Repeal Key 19.99

KOALA PAD 89 99

KRAFT Joystick 44.99

KRAFT Paddles 3199

LEGEND 128K Ram 359 99

MICRO-SCI Drive 219.99

MOUNTAIN CPS Card 159.99

Ramplus+32K 159.99

NOVATION Applecat II 269 99

Applecat Upgrade 1200 Baud 309.99

ORANGE MICRO Grappler+ 1 1 9.99

Bullerboard 1 1 9.99

Buflered Grappler+ 179.99

PADDLE ADAPPLE 24.99

SATURN 128K Ram 379.99

Accelerator II 444.99

Neptune 64 K 199 99

ACCESSORIES

3 Ring Disk Sheets (10)

7.99

Printer Stand Small

24.99

Printer Stand Large

29.99

Fingerprint (FOR EPSON)

4499

64KCHIPS(9x4164-200ns)

79.99

16K CHIPS (Bx4116-200ns)

999

LIBRARY CASE

1.99

Flip'nFile(ORIGINAL)

17.99

Fhp'n File 25 Locktray

17 99

Flipn File 50 Locktray

27.99

Power Strip w/surge

17.99

HAYES 300 Baud Smarlmodem

199 99

1200 Baud Smarlmodem

474.99

NOVATION J CAT

104 99

NOVATION 103/212 AUTOCAT

42999

NOVATION 103 SMARTCAT

169.99

NOVATION INFONEMAXI

86999

NOVATION EXPANSION MOD

29.99

PAGEMATE BOOK HOLDER

17 99

RIBBONS-MXIOOorFXIOO

799

MX80. MX80I/I. FX80, FX80I/I

4.49

OKIDATA OR GEMINI

299

BROTHER. DTC

1 99

M

c

Dntinental

| APPLE SOFTWARE 1983 BOOK

9.99

1 ATARI SOFTWARE 1983 BOOK

999

APPLE GRAPHICS BOOK

14.99

1 CPA(GI_AP.AR,PAY)ea

14999

1 FCM/FL 1st CLASS MAIL (AP)

61.99

1 FCM/FL 1st CLASS MAIL (IBM)

7199

1 HOME ACCOUNTANT+ (IBM)

84.99

1 HOME ACC'T-F(KAYPRO.OSBORNE) 59 99

1 HOME ACCOUNTANT+1TI PRO)

119 99

1 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

29999

1 TAX ADVANTAGE

39.99

1 ULTRAFILEIIBM)

SCALL

HOME ACCOUNTANT

• Apple A A QQ

• Atari tt.aa

• Commodore

'A Height OS/DD DRIVE
ALPHA Dala Base MAR II

Apple-IBM Connection

Executive Package

Typefaces

ARMONK Executive Suite
ASHTONTATE dBase II

Encyclopedia

Friday
AST Boards
BRODERBUND Apple Panic

Serpentine
CENTRAL POINT Copy II PC
DATAMOST Space Strike

Pig Pen

Real Estate Inv Prog

Wrile On
EDUWARE Algebra I

Prisoner II
EPYX Crush Crumble Chomp

Jabbertalky

Oil Barons

Star Warrior

Temple of Apshar

Upper Reaches or Curse of Ra
GRAPH N CALC
HAYDEN Piewriler
HAYES I 200B Modem
KENSINGTON PC Saver
KRAFT Paddles
LIFETREE Volkswriler
LIGHTNING Mastertype
LOTUS 1-2-3
MICROLAB Highnse

Death in the Caribbean

Miner 20-49er
MOUNTAIN Hard disk
NORTON Utilities
PC CRAYON
PC TUTOR

PERFECT SOFTWARE
POOL 1.5

PLANTRONICSCOIorPluS
SIERRA ON-LINE Frogger

&SORCIM

22999
16999
129.99
115.99
79.99
27.99
SCALL
59.99
SCALL
SCALL
2199
26.99
25.99
21.99
21.99
69 99
6999
2999
29.99
22.99
22.99
74.99
22.99
29.99
14.99
149.99
129 99
43999
SCALL
34.99
119 99
3699
SCALL
22.99
25.99
29.99
SCALL
59.99
49.99
47.99
SCALL
27.99
369 99
26.99

SUPERCALC
SUPER SPELLGUARD

119.99-

SUPERWRITER
SUPERCALC 2

167.99ea

APPLE. IBM &CP/M VERSIONS

*:^H

"videx

1 APPLE WRITER PRE-BOOT

1499 1

I CHARACTER ROMS

24.99 1

1 ENHANCER II

99 99 1

■ FUNCTION STRIP

34.99 1

I HARDSWITCH

16.99 1

1 MICROMODEM CHIP

24.99 1

1 PSIO

169.99 1

1 SOFTSWITCH

25.99 1

1 ULTRATERM

24999 1

1 ULTRATERM PRE-BOOTS

SCALL 1

1 VIDEOTERM WS/S+ INV

219.99 1

1 VISICALC PRE-BOOT

39.99 1

I VIDEOTERM

199.99 I

Crossfire, Lunar Leep, Mouskatlakin 22.99

Goll Challenge 19.99

Ulysses & Golden Fleece 29.99

SIR-TECH Wizardry 44.99

SUBLOGIC Pinball 2999

TMAKER 169.99

TG Joystick 44 99

TITAN 64 K Board 499 99

VISICORP Visicalc or Visidex 164 99
Visible, Trend/Plot. Schedule ea. 199.99

Visilink SCALL

Visi-on SCALL

Visispell 179.99

Visiword 26999

OEADLINE
PLANETFALL
SUSPENDED
WITNESS

32L9

STARCROSS
ZORKI
ZORK II
ZORKIII

24

99

APPLE, IBM. & CP/M VERSIONS
CP/M VERSIONS $5.00 MORE

DISKETTES PRINTERS

1 DYSAN5" SS/OD(10) ' 31.99

1 DYSAN5" SS/DDO00) 299.99

C-ITOH PROWRITER

SCALL I

MAXELL5"SS/DD(10) 2799

EPSON (ALL MODELS)

SCALL 1

MAXELL5"SS/DD(100) 259.99

OKIDATA 82A

38499 1

MAXELL 5" DS/0D(10) 37 99

OKIDATA 83A

62999 1

MAXELL 5" DS/OD (100) 359.99

OKIDATA 84P

96999 1

VERBATIM 5" SS/DD(10) 24 99

OKIDATA 92

489 99 1

VERBATIM5" SS/DDI100) 229 99

OKIDATA 93

85999 1

VERBATIM 5" DS/DD (10) 36.99

STAR GEMINI 10X

SCALL 1

| VERBATIM 5" DS/DD(1O0) 34999

STAR GEMINI 15X
STAR DELTA
SMITH CORONA TP2

SCALL 1
SCALL 1
499.99 1

81 Dysan

I double-sided, double density

TRANSTAR

SCALL 1

1 Box of 10 Case of 100

RIBBONS IN STOCK FOR MOST MODELS 1

I 38.99 369.99

COMPUTER DISCOUNT PRODUCTS

MAIL* PHONE ORDERS
860 S. Winchester Bl
San Jose, CA95128

(408) 985-0400

RETAIL SHOWROOMS

860 S. Winchester Bl
San Jose. CA 951 28

1230 Market St.
Francisco. CA94102

(408) 985-0401 (41 5) 626-2244

No Charge For Credit Cards

• Prices Subject To Change

• Software Sales Are Final

• Min. $4.00 Shipping Charge

• Purchase Orders Call First

HOURS: MON-FRI8AM-7PM SAT-SUN-HOL 10AM-5PM (S.F. STORE OPENS 10AM EVERY DAY)

I'i'i.t fffM

I I ( , I . •' !,' I J 1 ,|

<B W 8B* MICRO
I VI- ill- SALES

• MADE IN USA * BUY FACTORY DIRECT •

California
Computer
Systems

^

DISK DRIVE SPECIALS
We've Lowered Our Prices

Offering A Complete Selection And. . .
THE LOWEST PRICES IN BYTE!

8" Shugart 801R SS/DD - The Industry Standard $355.00

8" Shugart 851R Double Sided 1.2 Meg - The Ok) Reliable 457.00

8" Qume Datatrak-8 DS/0O "THE BEST" of the floppys 479.00

8" Mitsubishi Full Height Double Sided 1 Year Parts + Labor . . . .445.00

8" Mitsubishi Thinline OS/DD 1 Year P+L Direct Drive 465.00

8" Tandon 848-1 Slimline SS/DD 600K BYTES D.C. Motor 355.00

8" Tandon 848-2 Slimline Double Sided 1.2 Meg. D.C. Motor 475.00

8" Siemens 100-8 SS/DD ON SALE NOW!!! But How Long? 169.00

5'/<" Mitsubishi Full height 96T.P.I DS/DD 750K M4852 295.00

5'A" Mistubishi Slimline 96T.P.I. DS/DD 750K M4853 315.00

|5'/<" Qume 142 Slimline DS/DD ' 375.00|

5V<" Tandon TM-100-2 1.B.M. PC Add-on! DS/DD 48 T.P.I 259.00

5'/<"TandonTM 100-4 DS/DD 96T.P.1. 750K 369.00

• WINCHESTER HARD DISKS •
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

5V4" Miniscribe Hard Disk
*5 Meg $589 *10 Meg $749

8" Quantum 20" Megabyte Winchester - Two flatters 1895.00

8" Quantum 40* Meg Four Platter - Most Popular 2395.00

8" Quantum 85" Megabyte - Special Order on this Monster! . . . .2895.00
8" IOMEGA 10- Meg' Removeable Disk Drive with SCSI Controlled Inter-
face Board. Runs up to four drives 1895.00

8" IOMEGA 10 Meg' Cartridge Drive - No Control Interface 895.00

8" 10 Meg' Removeable Cartridge Media #M-2000-51 50.00

•LAST MINUTE SPECIAL!!! Buy any Winchester hard disk drive above and get a
western Digital hard disk interlace hoard AT COST! OM 295.00!

"Total storage space altar formatting.

YEAR END CHRISTMAS SALE

SAVE $61.00
New CCS2066 64K Dynamic Memory

• 65,536 bytes ot Dynamic BAM • Z-80/8080. S-100 compatible • Port bank/16 levels
ot 64K • system memory ol 1024K • Independently addressed in 16K blocks • 200ns
access and data lines • Hysteresis drivers and receivers tor high noise immunity and
minimal bus loading effects. Part #8-5000-50 ONLY $299.00

YEAR END SYSTEM SALE

• 2300A Mainframe • 2422 Disk Controller

• 2066 64K Memory • CP/M Operating System

• 2810 Z-80A CPU • 2719 2-Port RS-232 Serial

• All AC/DC 8. Data Cables • 8-bit Parallel I/O

A powerful package at ONLY $1495.00
CCS CALSTAR SYSTEM

Now MUM and HUH FREE SOFTWARE: • Perfect Writer • Perfecl Calc • Perfect Speller
and • Perfecl Filer.

This powerful single box system includes: • 2-80 with 128K ol RAM expandable to
256K • A networking interlace • SASI hard disk interface to add-on a Winchester • CP/M
3.0 operating system • One parallel and two serial poK • Reads and writes the IBM
3740 format (compatible with XOR) AND • Two double-sided double-density 8" floppy
drives for 2.4 Megabytes of formatted storage AND • Wil run two or more 8" or 5'/< "
lloppys. Part #S-1 500-05

ON SALE NOW
Regular S320ST00 — Our Price Only $2695.00

FOR XMAS

ONLY

$450.00

Limit 5 pur customer

XOR-500 DAISYWHEEL PRINTER

A letter-quality daisy-wheel printer at an unheard of wholesale price. This
20 cps workhorse features a daisy-wheel compatible with QUME's
products. Full 132 column format with 256 character buffer, serial AND
parallel interfacing (standard), 8 level automatic impression control -
original and 3 copies. The $450.00 price is nota misprint. High reliability
and quality performance sums-up the XOR-500 Daisy-wheel Printer.

XOR-500 TERMINAL

SLASHED.'

Cut another $50

Only $445.00

That's right! A 700.00 terminal
for $445.00, a special Christ-
mas deal for our customers.
Features: •Screen tilt • Detached keyboard *9 cursor con-
trol keys *5 function keys *7 screen attributes *25th status
line *50-19.2 Kbaud •Column plus field tab *AND MORE
•All these features with a full 6 month warranty makes this
terminal the best buy on the market.

f" ft

.Hpi

CHRISTMAS SAVINGS!

*395

HELD OVER
ON THE ORIGINAL S-100 MOD

For engineers, hobbiests, and anyone who wants to save a bundle, the S1-M0D
is the answer. Full regulated power to run up to four (loppy disks coupled with
a mamoth S-100 power supply and 12 slot bus, makes the SVMQD an excep-
tional computer base. Single board design means no wiring from the power
suppply to the motherboard. This eliminates all ground loop problems associated
with other brands of mainframes who are forced to use termination. The S1-M0D
is being offered this month with a matching S-100-12 cabinet. Fan cooled, fused,
with reset and keylock the cabinet is also enamel painted and silk screened.
Four A,C. outlets are provided (or peripheral hookup and plenty of cutouls
available for RS-232, Centronics + others. Our regular $225.00 price for the
S1-M0D and 250.00 price for our 12 slot cabinet is being SLASHED!
SPECIFICATIONS: ygk', SAVE

Regulated Unregulated ^^^Kf^ ^i<<-n

+ 5V @ 5A +8V@30A "' -Jgk L. OVER

+24V @ 3A +16V @ 6A WW <tff\r\

-5V@1A -16V @6A ^^r 9IVU
Don't settle for those cheap 6 slot immitations you've seen elsewhere in this
mag. OWN THE BEST! XOR S-1 MOD and S-100-12 Cabinet $395.00!

DUAL DRIVE SUBSYSTEMS*

HORIZONTAL OR VERTICAL

Fully Assembled and Tested Units

ONE YEAR P + L WARRANTY

On Shugart and Mitsubishi Subsystems

w/two Misubishi DS/DD Assem. + Tested 2.4 Meg $1 170.00

#/two Shugart 801R SS/DD Assem. + Tested 1.2 Meg 975.00

w/two Shugart 851R DS/DD Assem. + Tested 2.4 Meg 1225.00

w/two Siemans 120-8 SS/DD Assem. + Tested 1.2 Meg 675.00

w/two Qume DT-8 DS/DD Assem. + Tested 2.4 Meg 1250.00

Cabinet Assem. & Tested w/Power Supply and Arcs 235.00

Cabinet Top and Bottom with Mounting Hardware Only 69.50

All cabinets A & T and subsystems include all AC/ DC wiring and 50 pin data
cable except Ihe horizontal model which includes the inlernal 50 pin cable and
requires an external 50 pin cable part #C-6000-01 S 25.00

5</i" Subsystems - Cabinet - Power Supply - Drives - Cables
w/lwo 48TPI SS/DD includes all cables Assem. + Tested . . 495.00

w/two 48TPI DS/DD includes all cables Assem. + Tested 595.00

w/two 96TPI DS/DD inclodes all cables Assem. + Tested 695.00 i

CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE 1 - (714) 898-5525

do you idaji r\r* *£> hit r*r\nnm iTrn to process

NEED AN

IBM-PC 16-BIT COMPUTER

YOUR DATA?

COMPLETE SYSTEM

BASIC COMPUTER

ONLY A New Model PC by XOR ONLY

$1795

Model XPC with
MS/DOS features:

•64K memory *Green
CRT *2 floppy drives for a
total of 750K storage •Multi-
function keyboard (this is one part
of the system that's NOT like IBM's, it's better) •Fully
expandable memory On-Board to 256K PLUS 5 expansion
slots (all IBM compatible) *2 serial, one parallel port
•Optional EPROM to 32K •Optional Hard Disk add-on
•Optional floppy add-on ^Optional 8087 math co-
processor •All available through U.S. Micro Sales and
YES it's all fully IBM compatible *MS/D0S standard,
CP/M-86 operating system available at only $65.00

So close to the IBM PC you'll have to look twice.
Due to the thousands of requests we've been
receiving by phone, mail and visitors, we've
responded by getting XOR to design this fantastic
16-bit IBM duplicate. We're offering a ONE YEAR
warranty (vs. 90 days). Need more information?
Order the manual for $5.00 (plus shipping). This
low price includes drives, controllers, monitor,
power supply, etc. About the keyboard ... If
you've ever seen or used the IBM PC keyboard,
you'll understand why we HAD to come up with
something better — and we did! As a matter of
fact, for those of you who own an IBM PC — it's
time to take a hammer to that keyboard and call
Toll Free to pick-up one of our compatible replace-
ment keyboards at only $239.00

■ Jcrr^

m

$995

The Features:

•64K RAM memory
•Expandable to 256K
•Full monitor PROM
•IBM PC compatibility
•Multi-function key-
board and cable
•Runs MS/DOS and CP/M-86 (not included) •Power
Supply +5V @ 10 Amp, +12V @ 6 Amp, -12V @ 1 Amp
•EPROM expandable on-board to 32K *5 expansion slots
with room for 4 more

INCLUDES: *8 level interrupt *2 serial and one parallel
port *3 timer channels *4 DMA channels •Reset port
•Speaker port *and MORE!

646 BYTE December 1983

Circle 441 on inquiry card.

TrW® (kaxgsiGoorag ft® ©@[M® V®m
ORDER TOLL FREE

& EAST ft & WEST ft

800-435-9357 800-854-8174

In III. (815) 485-4002

In Calif. (714) 898-1492

TERMS: We accept V1SA/MC. prepay, check or money order. Please allow personal checks two weeks to clear before shipment.
E5.Q0 handling charge nn all orders under $50.00. 15% restocking lee. All orders shipped via UPS unless otherwise specified.
Ml UPS C.O.D. orders over $100.00 require a Cashiers Check. Our products carry a full ONE YEAR Parts and Labor Warranty excluding
jrives, printers and lerminals which cany the full OEM factory warranty. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

• MADE IN USA • BUY FACTORY DIRECT • j

• EAST • 11 Edison Drive, New Lenox, Illinois 60451
-k WEST* 15392 Assembly Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92649

CUSTOM COMPUTER SYSTEMS by XOR

Why do companies like I.B.M. Corp. Atari Corp., Mattel Elec, Kennedy Space Center, Edwards A.F.B., Motorola Corp., Raytheon, and Pacific Technology buy product by mail from us? Maybe
it's our full 1 year parts and labor warranty on all XOR O.E.M. products. It could be our state of the art technology, or even the factory direct sales and service. We think it's our custom
computer systems with over 1000 possible configurations. If you don't see it advertised, call us today, chances are we CAN custom build the system YOU need.

• MICRO MANAGERS: POWERFUL, PORTABLE, AND AFFORDABLE •

Don't be fooled by the system's
small portable size. A full 64K of
memory with an industry standard
S-100 bus. Includes CP/M 2.2
and many utilities on two disks.
Add on a hard disk when you need
more storage. "The software and
hardware that comes with each
5 V* "system, is ready to run a pair
of 8" single or double sided flop-
pies, just plug in Ihe 50 pin data
cable to the system — many other
configurations are available."

5V4" Z-80A 64K CP/M System

* Dual Floppy 375K SS/DD 40 Track #5-1000-86 , . J1445.00

* Dual Floppy 750K DS/DD 40 Track #5-1000-87 ... . $1595.00

* Dual Floppy 1.5 Meg DS/DD 80 Track #S-1000-88 . . . $1645.00

* System Chassis (No boards, drives. CP/M) #S-1000-84 $ 425.00

Inexpensive but powerful, small

enough for portability, these mini
hard disk systems have a special
XOR interface to the S-100 bus
that leaves an S-100 slot open for
expandability. Choose from 5, 10,
and 16 megabyte sizes (6.5. 12.
+ 20 megabyte unformatted.) In-
cludes CP/M operating system.
One year parts and labor warranty.
Includes software and controller
for 8" lloppys.

SVa" Hard Disk with »/2 Height Floppys

* 5 Meg Hard Disk w/375 Floppy #S-1000-81 $2195.00

* 5 Meg Hard Disk w/750K Floppy #S-1000-90 $2345.00

* 10 Meg Hard Disk w/2 1.5M Floppy #S-1000-92 .... $2795.00

* 16 Meg Hard Disk w/2 1.5M Floppy #S-1000-93 . . . $2895.00

Our most popular computer
features a 4 slot S-100 bus and 8"

industry standard format. Reads
and writes the IBM 3740 format
as well as any byte size seclor Ex-
pandable? Yes, add a hard disk or
cartridge subsystem when your
data base grows. You've probably
seen some "look-a-like" S-100
4-slot systems lately, but they just
don't measure up the XOR 8"
Micro Manager

2.4 Meg DS/DD 8" CP/M System

* System w/Dual SS/DD 1.2 Meg #S-1000-40 $1795.00

* System w/Dual DS/DD 2.4 Meg #S-1000-39 $1995.00

* System w/NO Drives (Includes CP/M) #S-1000-71 . $1195.00

* System Chassis (No boards, drives. CP/M) #S-1000-70 $ 395.00

• THE BASIC PROFESSIONAL FLOPPY, HARD DISK AND TAPE BACKUP *

2.4 Meg DS/DD 64K Z-80A CP/M System

This "industry Standard computer features a 12 slot motherboaro. 30 amp power supply.
2 serial RS-232 ports. Centronics parallel port and CP/M software. The XOR disk controller
included, will read and write the I B.M 3740 formal (8" CP/M standard) as well as R/W
single on double sided, single or double density, and any byte/size sector. One year parts
jnd labor on the complete system #S- 1000-36 $2345.00

20 Meg Winchester w/2.4 Meg Floppys

For the serious professional this system features the famous S-100-12 cabinet with XOR's
St-MOD 12-sloi motherboard The Quantum hard disk has two 10 Meg platters (A: and B;).
One platter can be "backed-up" on another 2/0S/D0 1.2 floppys are used lor software en-
try, copies, and back-up One year pans and labor. ifS-1000-63 $5275.00

20M H.D. with 17M Tape and 1.2M Floppy

Backup your priceless data on this full 17 megabyte tape drive and be able to pp files between
any of the three peripherals lor total versatility Boot CP/M Irom hard disk or floppy, change
lapes for archival storage. Reads and writes the IBM 3740 Format (8" CPM standard).

*S-1000-69 $6390.00.

Above system 40 megabyte hard disk *S- 1000-82 $7240.00

A word on Special Orders and Configuring the System you need:

We've built and shipped hundreds of Custom Computers that we have never advertised but, have been able to build to the customer specifications. Examples:
A 10 port hard disk system set-up to poll micro-wave devices; a Micro Manager interfaced to an X-Ray machine; a 7-User system with six of the users at
satellite stations via phone line modem communication throughout the United States. So whatever configuration you need; 4 floppies, 4 hard disks, 10 serial
ports, etc., call us Toll Free and talk to our Engineering Sales Crew and let us quote a price and delivery date that will satisfy your needs.

• THE OFFICE MASTERS! REMOVABLE CARTRIDGE DISK SYSTEMS •

■ :

i

10 Meg Cartridge Disk And 1.2 Meg Floe , _,

An office system at an almost unbelievable price when you consider the bundle ot applications
software Ihat comes with the system Ten megabytes of formatted storage on a removable
cartridge disk allows unrolled storage space with exlra 10 Meg cartridges available at $50.00
each With Ihe speed and reliability of a hard disk and removability of a floppy this office
master is the choice #5-1000-74 53695,00

TWO 10 Meg Removable and DS/DD Floppy

Destined io be our #1 seller and no one else makes anything like it. A true state-oMhe-an
sysiem with .irtually no-Nmi! Io storage capacities in 10 Meg removable cartridges Backup
problems'' Gei high speed backup Irom cartndge to cartridge, ten megabytes worth, in 6 minutes1
HINT We don't use "PIP " Future technology here tocay #S-100-76 54595.00

4 User Cartridge Disk System

Four users and two 10 megabyte removable cartndge disks may be just what you want to
automate your office or small business, with all the software packages you'll ever need. A
multi-user version of the system at left, these users can be up to 100 feet away from each
other. Most any terminal will work with the user ports. #S- 1000-80 $5825.00

• THE BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS: HARD DISK MULTI-USER SYSTEMS •

2 User Hard Disk System

A twenty meg hard disk (2 platter) with a DS/DD 1 2 Meg (loppy disk makes
this a perfect system for a small business. Two user allows dual access to
the system files with each station up to 100 feet apart! Includes above soft-
ware. Full one year parts and labor. #S-1000-61 $5495.00

40 Meg Hard Disk 4 User System

A must for a growing business! Two DS/DD Hoppys (2.4 Meg) for data backup
and copy with a 4 platter 40 Meg hard disk four user capability to automate the
whole front office. You can even designate a 10 Meg platter to each user! Same
warranty as all our products — (configurable from 2 to 7 users) #S- 1000-60 $7295

7 User 85 Meg w/17 Meg Backup

Now it's available, the automated business system to run even those large com-
panies! 7 separate users tied into one professional host system. If 85 Meg isn't
enough, we can put together as much as three hundred and forty megabytes! Full
17 Meg tape backup insures archival storage of valuable data #S- 1000-98 $9595.00

Circle 441 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 647

64K DYNAMIC
200 NS

2KX8 STATIC
200 NS

STATIC RAMS

EPROMS

CRYSTALS

I 2101

5101

2102-1

2102L-4

2102L-2
I 2111

2112
I 2114

2114-25

2114L-4

2114L-3

2114L-2

TC5514

TC5516

2147
I TMS4044-4

TMS4044-3
] TMS4044-2
, MK4118

TMM2016-200

TMM2016-150

TMM2016-100
I HM6116-4

HM6116-3

HM61I6-2

HM6116LP-4

HM6116LP-3
| HM6116LP-2

Z-6132

HM6264

256x4
256 X 4
1024 I 1
1024 x 1
1024 x 1
256x4
256x4
1024x4
1024 X 4
1024 x 4
1024 X 4
1024 x 4
1024 X 4
2048 X 8
4096 x 1
4096 X 1
4096 x 1
4096 x 1
1024 X 8
2048 X 8
2048 x 8
2048 I 8
2048 X 8
2048 x 8
2048 x 8
2048 x 8
2048 x 8
2048 I 8
4096 x 8
8192 I 8

(450ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(250ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(250ns)
(450ns)
(300ns)
(200ns)
(650ns)
(250ns)
(55ns)
(450ns)
(300ns)
(200ns)
(250ns)
(200ns)
(150ns)
(100ns)
(200ns)
(150ns)
(120ns)
(200ns)
(150ns)
(120ns)
(300ns)
(150ns)

(cmos)

(LP)
(LP)

(LP)

(LP)

(LP)

(cmos)

(cmos)

(cmos)

(cmos)

(cmos)

(cmos)(LP)

(cmos)(LP)

(cmos)(LP)

(Qstal)

(cmos)

1.95

3.95

.99

.99

1.49

2.49

2.99

8/9.95

8/10.95

8/12.95

8/13.45

8/13.95

2.49

9.95

4.95

3.49 |

3.S

4.49 I

9.95

4.15

4.95

6.15

4.75

4.95

8.95

5.95

6.95

10.95

34.95

49.95

1702

2708

2758

2716

2716-1

TMS2516

TMS2716

TMS2532

2732

2732-250

2732-200

2732A-4

2732A

2732A-2

2764

2764-250

2764-200

TMS2564

MC68764

27128

256 I 8
1024 x 8
1024 x 8
2048 X 8
2048 I 8
2048 X 8
2048 X 8
4096 X B
4096 x 8
4096 x 8
4096 X 8
4096 X 8
4096 x 8
4096 I 8
8192x8
8192 X 8
8192 X 8
8192x8
8192 x 8
16384x8

(1us)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(350ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(250ns)
(200ns)
(450ns)
(250ns)
(200ns)
(450ns)
(250ns)
(200ns)
(450ns)
(450ns)
(300ns)

(5v)
(5v)
<5v)
<5v)

(5v)

(Sv)

(Sv)

(5v)

(5v)(21vPGM)

(Sv)(21vPGM)

(5v)(21vPGM)

(Sv)

<5v)

(5v)

<5v)

(5v)(24pln)

(5»)

4.50

3.95

5.95

3.95

5.95

5.50

7.95

5.95

4.95

8.95

11.95

6.95

9.95

13.95

9.95

14.95

24.95

17.95

39.95

29.95

,5V » Single 5 Volt Supply 21 vPGM ■ Program at 21 VoltsJ

TproTJmeraserT"

Capacity Intensity

LP = Low Power

Ostat = Quasi-Static

TMS4027

UP0411

MM5280

MK4108

MM5298
14116-300
14116-250

4116-200

4116-150
14116-120

2118

MK4332
14164-200
I 4164-150

MCM6665

TMS4164-15

DYNAMIC RAMS

4096 I 1
4096 x 1
4096 I 1
8192 x 1
8192 x 1
16384 x 1
16384 I 1
16384 x 1
16384 x 1
16384 x 1
16384 I 1
32768 X 1
65536 x 1
65536 X 1
65536 x 1
65536 x 1
5V ■ slngl

6800

68000

6800

6802

6803

6808

6809E

6809

6810

6820

6821

6828

6840

6843

6844

6845

6847

6850

6852

6860

6875

6880

6883

68047

68B00
68B02
68B09E
68B09
I68B10
68B21
68B40
68B45
68B50

59.95

3.95

7.95

19.95

13.90

19.95

11.95

2.95

4.35

3.25

14.95

12.95

34.95

25.95

14.95

11.95

3.25

5.75

9.95

6.95

2.25

22.95

24.95

19.95

■ 1MHZ

10.95

22.25

29.95

29.95

6.95

6.95

19.95

19.95

5.95

68B00 - 2 MHZ

(250ns)

(300ns)

(300ns)

(200ns)

(250ns)

(300ns)

(250ns)

(200ns)

(150ns)

(120ns)

(150ns) (5v)

(200ns)

(200ns) (5v)

(150ns) (5v)

(200ns) (5v)

(150ns) (5v)

e 5 volt supply

8200

1.99

3.00

3.00

1.95

1.85

8/11.75

8/11.95

8/12.95

8/14.95

8/29.95

4.95

9.95

5.95

6.95

8.95

8.95

PE-14

PE-14T

PE-24T

PL-265T

PR-125T

PR-320T

Timer Chip

9
12
30
25
42

(uW/Cm1)
8,000
8,000
9,600
9,600
17,000
17,000

83.00

119.00

175.00

255.00

349.00

595.00

ORDER TOLL FREE

800-538-5000
800-662-0279

(CALIF0RMA RESIDENTS)

Z-80

8202
8203

24.95
39.95

2.5 Mhz

8205

3.50

Z80-CPU

3.95

8212

1.80

Z80-CTC

4.49

8214

3.85

Z80-DART

10.95

8216

1.75

Z80-OMA

14.95

8224

2.25

Z80-PIO

4.49

8226

1.80

Z80-SIO/0

16.95

8228

3.49

Z80-SIO/1

16.95

8237

19.95

Z80-SIO/2

16.95

8237-5
8238

21.95
4.49

Z80-SIO/9

16.95

8243

4.45

4.0 Mhz

8250

10.95

Z80A-CPU

4.95

8251

4.49

Z80A-CTC

4.95

8253

6.95

Z80A-DART

11.95

8253-5

7.95

Z80A-OMA

16.95

8255
8255-5

4.49
5.25

Z80A-PIO

4.95

8257

7.95

Z80A-SIO/0

16.95

8257-5

8.95

Z80A-SIO/1

16.95

8259

6.90

Z80A-SIO/2

16.95

8259-5

7.50

Z80A-SIO/9

16.95

8271
8272

79.95
39.95

6.0 Mhz

8275

29.95

Z80B-CPU

11.95

8279

8.95

Z80B-CTC

13.95

8279-5

10.00

Z80B-PIO

13.95

8282
8283

6.50
6.50

Z80B-DART

19.95

8284

5.50

Z80B-SIO/2

39.95

8286

6.50

ZILOG

8287
8288

6.50
25.00

Z6132

34.95

.8289

49.95.

Z8671

39.95

8000

8035

8039

INS-8060

INS-8073

8080

8085

8085A-2

8086

8087

8088

8089

8155

8155-2

8156

8185

8185-2

8741

8748

8755

5.95

6.95

17.95

49.95

3.95

5.95

11.95

29.95

CALL

39.95

89.95

6.95

7.95

6.95

29.95

39.95

39.95

24.95

24.95,

CRT
INTROLLERS

22.50
19.95
15.95
11.95
6.95
24.95
29.95
99.95
39.95
49.95
39.95
49.95.

6845

68B45

HD46505SP

6847

MC1372

68047

8275

7220

CRT5027

CRT5037

TMS9918A

DP8350

6500

6502
6504
6505
6507
6520
6522
6532
6545
6551

6502A
6522A
6532A
6545A
6551A

6502B

4.95
6.95
8.95
9.95
4.35
7.95
9.95
22.50
11.85

6.95

9.95

11.95

27.95

11.95

14.95J

DISC CONTRA

1771

1791

1793

1795

1797

2791

2793

2795

2797

6843

8272

UPD765

MB8876

MB8877

1691

2143

16.95
24.95
26.95
49.95
49.95
54.95
54.95
59.95
59.95
34.95
39.95
39.95
29.95
34.95
17.95
18.95J

| 32.768 khz
1.0 mhz
1.8432
2.0

2.097152
2.4576
3.2768
3.579545
4.0
5.0

5.0688
5.185
5.7143
6.0
6.144
6.5536
8.0

10.0
| 10.738635

14.31818

15.0

16.0

17.430

18.0

18.432

20.0

22.1184
L32.0

1.95
4.95
4.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95J

74LS00

UARTS

AY3-1014
AY5-1013
AY3-1015
PT1472
TR1602
2350
2651
IM6402
IM6403
| INS8250

GENERATORS
BIT-RATE

6.95
3.95
6.95
9.95
3.95
9.95
8.95
7.95
8.95
10.95

MC14411

BR1941

4702

COM5016

COM8116

MM5307

11.95
11.95
12.95
16.95
10.95
10.95

FUNCTION

MC4024 3.95 I

j LM566 1.49

XR2206 3.75

L.8038 3.95J

MISC.

I UPD7201

TMS99532

ULN2003

3242

3341

MC3470

MC3480

11C90

95H90

2513-001 UP
12513-002 LOW

29.95
29.95
2.49
7.95
4.95
4.95
9.00
13.95
7.95
9.95 J
9.95J

CLOCK
CIRCUITS

MM5314
MM5369
MM5375
MM58167
MM5B174
LMSM5832

4.95
3.95
4.95
12.95
11.95
3.95J

KEYBOARD
CHIPS

I AYS-2376 11.95 1

AY5-3600 11.95

LaYS-3600 PRO 11.95J

74LS0O

.24

74LS173

74LS01

.25

74LS174

74LSQ2

.25

74LS175

74LS03

.25

74LS181

74LS04

.24

74LS189

74LS05

.25

74LS190

74LS0B

.28

74LS191

74LS09

.29

74LS192

74LS10

.25

74LS193

74LS11

.35

74LS194

74LS12

.35

74LS195

74LS13

.45

74LS196

74LS14

.59

74LS197

74LS15

.35

74LS221

74LS20

.25

74LS240

74LS21

.29

74LS241

74LS22

.25

74LS242

74LS26

.29

74LS243

74LS27

.29

74LS244

74LS2B

.35

74LS24S

74LS30

.25

74LS247

74LS32

.29

74LS24B

74LS33

.55

74LS249

74LS37

.35

74LS251

74LS38

.35

74LS253

74LS40

.25

74LS257

74LS42

.49

74LS258

74LS47

.75

74LS259

74LS48

.75

74LS260

74LS49

.75

74LS266

74LS51

.25

74LS273

74LS54

.29

74LS275

74LS55

.29

74LS279

74LS63

1.25

74LS2B0

74LS73

.39

74LS283

74LS74

.35

74LS290

74LS75

.39

74LS293

74LS76

.39

74LS295

74LS78

.49

74LS298

74LSB3

.60

74LS299

74LS85

.69

74LS323

74LS86

.39

74LS324

74LS90

.55

74LS352

74LS91

.89

74LS353

74LS92

.55

74LS363

74LS93

.55

74LS364

74LS95

.75

74LS365

74LS96

.89

74LS366

74LS107

.39

74LS367

74LS109

.39

74LS368

74LS112

.39

74LS373

74LS113

.39

74LS374

74LS114

.39

74LS375

74LS122

.45

74LS377

74LS123

.79

74LS378

74LS124

2.90

74LS379

74LS125

.49

74LS385

74LS126

.49

74LS386

74LS132

.59

74LS390

74LS133

.59

74LS393

74LS136

.39

74LS395

74LS137

.99

74LS399

74LS138

.55

74LS424

74LS139

.55

74LS447

74LS145

1.20

74LS490

74LS147

2.49

74LS624

74LS148

1.35

74LS640

74LS151

.55

74LS645

74LS153

.55

74LS668

74LS154

1.90

74LS669

74LS155

.69

74LS870

74LS156

.69

74LS674

74LS157

.65

74LS682

74LS158

.59

74LS6B3

74LS160

.69

74LS684

74LS161

.65

74LS685

74LS162

.69

74LS688

74LS163

.65

74LS689

74LS164

.69

81LS95

74LS165

.95

81LS96

74LS166

1.95

81LS97

74LS168

1.75

81LS9B

74LS169

1.75

25LS2521

74LS170

1.49

25LS2569

JDR Microdevices

1224 S. Bascom Ave. • San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 995-5430 • Telex 171-110

© Copyright 1983 JDR Microdevice

VISIT OUR RETAIL STORE

HOURS: M-W-F, 9-5 T-Th., 9-9 Sat. 10-3

PLEASE USE YOUR CUSTOMER NUMBER WHEN ORDERING

TERMS: Minimum order $10. For shipping and handling Include
$2.50 lor UPS Ground and $3.50 lor UPS Air. Orders over 1 lb. and
foreign orders may require additional shipping charges — please
contact our sales department lor the amount. CA residents must
include 6% sales tax. Bay Area and LA residents include 6''.-V Prices
subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for
typographical errors. We reserve the right to limit quantities and to
substitute manufacturer. All merchandise subject to prior sale.

648 BYTE December 1983

Circle 244 on inquiry card.

2114<soNs8/*995 211425oNs8/*1085

CMOS

4000

.29

4528

1.19

4001

.25

4531

.95

4002

.25

4532

1.95

4006

.89

4538

1.95

4007

.29

4539

1.95

4008

.95

4541

2.64

4009

.39

4543

1.19

4010

.45

4553

5.79

4011

.25

4555

.95

4012

.25

4556

.95

4013

.38

4581

1.95

4014

.78

4582

1.95

4015

.39

4584

.75

4016

.39

4585

.75

4017

.69

4702

12.95

4016

.79

74C0O

.35

4019

.39

74C02

.35

4020

.75

74C04

.35

4021

.79

74C08

.35

4022

.79

74C10

.35

4023

.29

74C14

.59

4024

.65

74C20

.35

402S

.29

74C30

.35

4026

1.65

74C32

.39

4027

.45

74C42

1.29

4028

.69

74C48

1.99

4029

.79

74C73

.65

4030

.39

74C74

.65

4034

1.95

74C76

.60

4035

.85

74C63

1.95

4040

.75

74C85

1.95

4041

.75

74C86

.39

4042

.69

74C89

4.50

4043

.95

74C90

1.19

4044

.79

74C93

1.75

4046

.85

74C95

.99

4047

.95

74C107

.89

4049

.35

74C150

5.75

4050

.35

74C151

2.25

4051

.79

74C1S4

3.25

4053

.79

74C157

1.75

4060

.89

74C160

1.19

4066

.39

74C161

1.19

4066

.39

74C162

1.19

4069

.29

74C163

1.19

4070

.35

74C164

1.39

4071

.29

74C165

2.00

4072

.29

74C173

.79

4073

.29

74C174

1.19

4075

.29

74C175

1.19

4076

.79

74C192

1.49

4078

.29

74C193

1.49

4081

.29

74C19S

1.39

4082

.29

74C200

5.75

4085

.95

74C221

1.75

4086

.95

74C244

2.25

4093

.49

74C373

2.45

4098

2.49

74C374

2.45

4099

1.95

74C901

.39

14409

12.95

74C902

.85

14410

12.95

74 C 903

.85

14411

11.95

74C905

10.95

14412

12.95

74C906

.95

14419

7.95

74C907

1.00

4502

.95

74C908

2.00

4503

.85

74C909

2.75

4508

1.95

74C910

9.95

4510

.85

74C911

8.95

4511

.85

74C912

6.95

4512

.85

74C914

1.95

4514

1.25

74C915

1.19

4515

1.79

74C918

2.75

4518

1.55

74C920

17.95

4518

.89

74C921

15.95

4519

.39

74C922

4.49

4520

.79

74C923

4.95

4522

1.25

74C925

5.95

4528

1.25

74C926

7.95

4527

1.95

74C928

7.95

74C929

19.95

Computer managed inuentorv - uirtuaiiv

no bach orders!

Verv competiliue prices!

Friendly staff!

Fast seruice - most orders shipped within

2a hours!

VOLTAGE
REGULATORS

74S00

RCA

CA 3023

2.75

CA 3082

1.65

CA 3039

1.29

CA 3083

1.55

CA 3046

1.25

CA 3086

.80

CA 3059

2.90

CA 3089

2.99

CA 3060

2.90

CA 3096

3.49

CA 3085

1.75

C A 3130

1.30

CA 3080

1.10

CA3140

1.15

CA 3081

1.65

CA3146

1.85

CA3160

1.19

Tl

TL494

4.20

75365

1.95

TL496

1.65

75450

.59

TL497

3.25

75451

.39

75107

1.49

75452

.39

75110

1.95

75453

.39

75150

1.95

75454

.39

75154

1.95

75491

.79

75188

1.25

75492

.79

75189

1.25

75493

.89

75494

.89

Bl FET

TL071

.79

TL084

2.19

TL072

1.19

LF347

2.19

TL074

2.19

LF351

.60

TL081

.79

LF353

1.00

TL082

1.19

LF355

1.10

TL083

1.19

LF356

1.10

LF357

1.40

DATA ACQUISITION

7805T

78M05C

7808T

7812T

781 5T

7824T

7805K
7812K
7815K
7824 K

78L05
78L12
78L15

78H05K
78H12K

.75
.35
.75
.75
.75
.75

1.39
1.39
1.39
1.39

.89
.69
.69

9.95
9.95

7905T
7906T
791 2T
7915T
7924T

7905K
791 2K
7915K
7924K

79L05
79L12
79L15

LM323K
UA78S40

.85
.85
.85
.85
.85

1.49
1.49
1.49
1.49

.79
.79
.79

4.95
1.95

AOC0800

ADC0804

AOC0809

AOC0817

DAC0800

DAC0808

DAC102O

DAC1022

MC1408L6

MC1408L8

interface!

8T26

1.58

8T28

1.89

8T95

.89

8T96

.89

8T97

.89

8T98

.89

DM8131

2.95

DP8304

2.29

DS8833

2.25

OS8835

1.99

DS8836

.99

D88837

1.65

DS8838

1.30.

15.55
3.49
4.49
9.95
4.95
2.95
6.25
5.85
1.95
2.95

rCONNECTORS1

RS232 MALE 2.50 I
RS232 FEMALE 3.25 I
RS232HOOD 1.25
lS-100 ST 3.95J

)000 SERIES^

C, T = TO-220

"INTERSIL1

ICL7106 9.95

ICL7107 12.95

ICL7660 2.95

ICL8038 3.95

ICM7207A 5.59

ICM7208 15.95 J

EXAR

XR 2206

3.75

XR 2207

3.75

XR 2208

3.75

XR 2211

5.25

.XR 2240

3.25.

7400

9316
9334
9368
9401
9601
9602
L96S02

LINEAR

LM301

LM301H

LM307

LM308

LM308H

LM309H

LM309K

LM310

LM311

LM311H

LM312H

LM317K

LM317T

LM318

LM318H

LM319H

LM319

LM320(W

LM322

LM323K

LM324

LM329

LM331

LM334

LM335

LM336

LM337K

LM337T

LM338K

LM339

.34

.79

.45

.69

1.15

1.95

1.25

1.75

.64

.69

1.75

3.95

1.19

1.49

1.59

1.90

1.25

7900)

1.65

4.95

.59

.65

3.95

1.19

1.40

1.75

3.95

1.95

6.95

LM340(M«

LM348

LM350K

LM350T

LM358

LM359

LM376

LM377

LM378

LM380

LM380N-8

LM381

LM382

LM383

LM384

LM386

LM387

LM389

LM390

LM392

LM393

LM394H

LM399H

NE531

NE555

NE556

NE556

NE561

NE564

LM565

7800)

.99
4.95
4.60

.69
1.79
3.75
1.95
2.50

.89
1.10
1.80
1.60
1.95
1.95

.89
1.40
1.35
1.95

.69
1.29
4.60
5.00
2.95

.34

.65

1.50

24.95

2.95

.99

LM56S

LM567

NE570

NE571

NE590

NE592

LM709

LM710

LM711

LM723

LM723H

LM733

LM741

LM741N-14

LM741H

LM747

LM748

LM1014

LM1303

LM1310

MC1330

MC1349

MC1350

MC1358

MC1372

LM1414

LM1458

LM1488

LM1489

LM1496

1.49

.89

3.95

2.95

2.50

2.75

.59

.76

.79

.49

.55

.98

.35

.35

.40

.69

.59

1.19

1.95

1.49

1.69

1.89

1.19

1.69

6.95

1.59

.59

.69

.69

.65

LM1558H

LM1800

LM1812

LM1830

LM1B71

LM1672

LM1877

LM1869

LM1896

ULN2003

LM2877

LM2878

LM2900

LM2901

LM3900

LM3905

LM3909

LM3911

LM3914

LM3915

LM3916

MC4024

MC4044

RC4136

RC4151

LM4250

LM4500

RC4558

LM13080

LM13600

LM 13700

1.00
2.50
3.95
9.95
.75
1.50
1.95J

3.10
2.37
8.25
3.50
5.49
5.49
3.25
1.95
1.75
2.49
2.05
2.25

.85
1.00

.59
1.25

.98
2.25
3.95
3.95
3.95
3.95
4.50
1.25
3.95
1.75
3.25

.69
1.29
1.49
1.49

7400
7401
7402
7403
7404
7405
7406
7407
7408
7409
7410
7411
7413
7414
7416
7417
7420
7421
7425
7427
7430
7432
7437
7439
7442
7445
7446
7447
7448
7451
7473
7474
7475
7478
7482
7483
7485
7486
7489
7490
7492
7493
7495
7497
74100
74107
74109
74116
74121
L.74122

.16
.19
.19
.19
.19
.25
.29
.29
.24
.19
.19
.25
.35
.49
.25
.25
.19
.35
.29
.29
.19
.29
.29
.29
.49
.69
.69
.69
.69
.23
.34
.33
.45
.35
.95
.50
.59
.35

2.15
.35
.50
.35
.55

2.75

1.75
.30
.45

1.55
.29
.45

74123
74125
74126
74132
74136
74143
74145
74147
74148
74150
74151
74153
74154
74155
74157
74159
74160
74161
74163
74164
74165
74166
74167
74170
74173
74174
74175
74177
74181
74184
74185
74191
74192
74193
74194
74195
74197
74196
74221
74246
74247
74259
74273
74276
74279
74366
74367
74368
74383

.49

.45

.45

.45

.50

2.95

.60

1.75

1.20

1.35

.55

.55

1.25

.75

.55

1.65

.85

.69

.69

.85

.85

1.00

2.95

1.65

.75

.69

.89

.75

2.25

2.00

2.00

1.15

.79

.79

85

.85

.75

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.25

2.25

1.95

1.25

.75

.65

.85

.65

1.35

74S00
74S02
74S03
74S04
74S05
74S08
74S09
74S10
74S11
74S15
74S20
74S22
74S30

| 74S32
74S37
74S38
74S40
74S51
74S64
74S65
74S74
74S85
74SB6
74S112
74S113
74S114
74S124
74S132
74S133
74S134
74S135
74S138
74S138
74S140
74S151
74S153
74S157
74S158

| 74S161
74S162
74S163
74S168
74S169
74S174
74S175
74S181
74S182
74S188
74S189
74S194
74S195
74S196
74S197
74S201
74S225
74S240
74S241
74S244
74S251
74S253
74S257
74S258
74S260
74S273
74S274
74S275
74S280
74S287
74S288
74S289
74S301
74S373
74S374
74S381
74S387
745412
74S471
74S472
74S474
74S482
74S570

L74S571

ORDER TOLL FREE
800-538-5000
800-662-6270

(CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS)

CALL US FOR UOLURIE QUOTES

ALL MERCHANDISE
100% GUARANTEED

c Copyright 1983 JDR Microdevices

.32
.35
.35
.35
.35
.35
.40
.35
.35
.35 1
.351
.35
.35
.40
.88
.85
.35
.35
.40
.40
.50
1.99
.50 I

.sol

.50 I
.551
2.75 I
1 24 I
.45
.50 I
.89
.851
.851
.551
.95
.951
.95 I
95
1.95 I
1.95
1.95
3.95
3.95
.95
.95
3.95
2.95
1.95
6.95
1.49
1.49
1.49
1.49
6.95
7.95
2.20
2.20 I
2.20 I
.95
.95
.951
.95
.79
2.45
19.95
19.95
1.95
1.90
1.90 I
6.89
6.95
2.45
2.45
7.95
1.95
2.98
4.95
4.95
4.95
15.25
2.95
2.95 J

Circle 244 on Inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 649

2732

32K EPROM

2764

64K EPROM

SPECTACULAR FALL SAVINGS!

(QUANTITIES LIMITED!)

RF MODULATOR iastec umios2)

* PRESET TO CHANNEL 3 NOW

* USE TO BUILD ONLY
TV-COMPUTER INTERFACE ffcCBR

* +5 VOLT OPERATION VQ««

nnillCD 'DEAL FOR HOBBYIST, BENCHWORK
nlWCn AND DO-IT-YOURSELFERS!

CIIMMICC 90-DAY WARRANTY!
OUmjEO NEW AND UNUSED!!

ASTEG AA11190

* QUAD OUTPUT SWITCHING
DESIGN AS USED IN APPLE III

* +5 @ 4A; -5 @ .25A

* +12 @ 2.5A; -12 @ .30A; 15.5"x4.5"x2'

SIBMA U1STRUMENTS

Model 2PC2241

* DESIGNED FOR DEC EQUIPMENT

* FUSE PROTECTED * LINEAR DESIGN

* AUXILIARY AC OUTLET

* +5 @ 4 A; -15V @ 1.5 A; 12.25"x4"x4.75"

NOW
ONLY

$5990

NOW
ONLY

$1995

ORDER 000-538-5000

TOLL FREE 800-862-6279

(CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS)

CAPACITORS

TANTALUM

BV 10V 15V 20V 25V 35V 50V 10pl

22
25
27
33
47
58
68
82
100
220
330

.22ul

.40

.27

.40

.33

.40

.45

.47

.35

.50

.68

.45

.50

1.0

.40

.40

.45

.45

1.5

.45

.50

.60

1.8

.75

2.2

.35

.40

.45

.65

.85

2.7

.40

.45

.90

3.3

.45

.50

.55

.60

.65

.90

3.9

.45

4.7

.45

.55

.60

.65

.85

.90

6.8

.70

.75

8.2

1.00

10

.55

.65

.80

.85

.90

1.00

12

.65

.85

.90

15

.75

.85

.90

18

1.25

22

1.00

1.35

27

2.25

39

1.50

47

1.35

56

1.75

100

3.25

270

3.75

DISC

50V .05 470
50V .05
50V .05
05

05
05
05
.05
.05
.05
.05
.05

50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V

560
680
820

.001 ul

.0015

.0022

.005

.01

.02

.05

.1

.1

50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
50V
12V
50V

MONOLITHIC

.1 Ill-mono 50V .18 .47ul-mono50V

ELECTROLYTIC

RADIAL
.47ul 50V

1

2.2

4.7

10

47

100

220

470

2200

25V

35V
50V
50V
35V
16V
35V
25V
16V

.14
.14
.15
.15
.15
.18
.18
.20
.30
.60

COMPUTER
GRADE

26,000ul 30V 3.95

1u(

4.7

10

10

22

47

100

100

150

220

330

500

1000

1500

60O0

AXIAL
50V
16V
16V
50V
16V
50V
15V
35V
25V
25V
16V
16V
16V
16V
16V

.o:
.os

.05
.0!

.0!

o:
.0!

.0!
.01

.0',

.o-,
.1(

.1!

.14
.14
.14
.16
.14
.20
.20
.25
.25
.30
.40
.42
.60
.70
.85

OPTO-ISOLATORS

rIC SOCKETS

4N26

4N27

4N28

4N33

4N35

4N37

MCT-2

MCT-6

1N751

1N759

1N4148

1N4004

KBP02

KBP04

VM48

1.00
1.10
.69
1.75
1.25
1.25
1.00
1.50

MCA-7

MCA-255

IL-1

ILA-30

lLQ-74

H11C5

TIL-111

TIL-113

DIODES

5.1 voll zener
12.0 volt zener
(1N914) switching
400PIV rectifier
200PIV 1.5amp bridge
400PIV 1.5amp bridge
Dip-Bridge

4.25
1.75
1.25
1.25
2.75
1.25
1.00
1.75

.25
.25
25/1.00
10/1.00
.45
.55
.35

MUFFIN FANS

NEW UN-USED

4.68" Square

14.95

3.125" Square

14.95

HEAT SINKS

TO-3 ityle

.95

TO-220 Ityle

.35

SWITCHES

SPDT mini-toggle 1.25

DPDT mini-toggle 1.50

SPST mlnl-puahbutton .39

FEDERAL EMPRESS
SERVICES AVAILABLE

TRANSISTORS

2N918

MPS918

2N2102

2N221S

2N2218A

2N2219

2N2219A

2N2222

PN2222

MPS2369

2N2484

2N2905

2N2907

PN2907

2N3055

3055T

2N3393

2N3414

2N3563

2N3565

PN3565

MPS3638

MPS3640

PN3643

PN3644

MPS3704

.50
.25
.75
.50
.50
.50
.50
.25
.10
.25
.25
.50
.25
.125
.79
.69
.30
.25
.40
.40
.25
.25
.25
.25
.25
.15

MPS3706

2N3772

2N3903

2N3904

2N3906

2N4122

2N4123

2N4249

2N4304

2N4401

2N4402

2N4403

2N4857

PN4916

2N5086

PN5129

PN5139

2N5209

2N6028

2N6043

2N6045

MPS-A05

MPS-A06

MPS-A55

TIP29

TIP31

TIP32

.15
1.85

.25

.10

.10

.25

.25

.25

.75

.25

.25

.25
1.00

.25

.25

.25

.25

.25

.35
1.75
1.75

.25

.25

.25

.65

.75
79 .

100
.11
.12
.13
.18
.27
.27
.27
.32
.39
call |
ST ■ SOLOERTAIL
8 pin WW .59 .49 |

8 pin ST
I 14 pin ST
16 pin ST
18 pin ST
20 pin ST
22 pin ST
24 pin ST
28 pin ST
40 pin ST
64 pin ST

1-1
.13
.15
.17
.20
.29
.30
.30
.40
.49

4.25

14 pin WW
16 pin WW
18 pin WW
20 pin WW
22 pin WW
24 pin WW
28 pin WW
40 pin WW

.69
.69
.99
1.09
1.39
1.49
1.69
1.99

.52

.58

.90

.98

1.28

1.35

1.49

1.80

WW= WIREWRAP

I 16 pin ZIF 6.75 call I

24 pin ZIF 9.95 call

28 pin ZIF 10.95 call |

ZIF = TEXTOOL
(Zero Insertion Force)

DIP
SWITCHES

4 POSITION

5 POSITION

6 POSITION

7 POSITION
l 8 POSITION

.85

.90
.90
.95

.95 J

[LED LAMPS

1-99

100-up

Jumbo

Red

.10

.09

Jumbo

Green

.18

.15

Jumbo

I Yellow

.18

.15

BYPASS CAPS

.01 UF DISC 100/6.00

.1 UFDISC 100/8.00

.1 UF MONOLITHIC 100/15.00

LED DISPLAYS

HP 5082-7760
MAN 72
MAN 74
FND-357 (359)
FND-500 (503)
FND-507 (510)

.3"

.3"
.375"

.5"
.5"

CC
CA
CC
CC
CC
CA

1.29
.99
.99
1.25
1.49
1.49

RESISTORS

'A WATT 5% CARBON FILM ALL

STANDARD VALUES

FROM 1 OHM TO 10 MEG OHM

50 PCS. SAME VALUE .025

100 PCS. SAME VALUE .02

1000 PCS. SAME VALUE .015

JDR Microdevices

1224 S Bascom Avenue

San Jose. CA 95128

800-538-5000 • 800-662-6279 (CA)

(408) 995-5430 • Telex 171-110

<c< Copyright 19B3 JDR Microdevices

VISIT OUR RETAIL STORE

*S: M-W-F, 9-5 T-Th., 9-9 Sa

Sat. 10-3

PLEASE USE YOUR CUSTOMER NUMBER WHEN ORDERING

TERMS: Minimum order $10. For shipping and handling Include
$2.50 for UPS Ground and S3. 50 lor UPS Air. Orders over 1 lb. and
foreign orders may require additional shipping charges — please
contact our sales department for the amount. CA residents must
include S% sales tax. Bay Area and LA residents Include 6V/0. Prices
subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for
typographical errors. We reserve the right to limit quantities and to
substitute manufacturer. All merchandise subject to prior sale.

650 BYTE December 1983

Circle 245 on Inquiry card.

2716

16KEPR0RIS

2732

32N EPROmS

MICROCOMPUTER
HARDWARE HANDBOOK

FROM ELCOMP — $14.95
Over 800 pages of manufacturers data
sheets on most commonly used IC's.
Includes:

* TTL - 74/74LS and 74F

* CMOS

* Voltage Regulators

* Memory — RAM, ROM, EPROM

* CPU's — 6800, 6500, Z80, 8080,
8085, 8086/8

* MPU support & interface —
6800, 6500, Z80, 8200, etc.

BEST SELLING
BOOKS

OSBORNE/MC GRAW-HILL

Apple II User's Guide 16.95

CRT Controller's Handbook 9.95

68000 Assembly Language

Programming 16.99

CBASIC User Guide 15.00

SYBEX

Your First Computer 8.95

The CP/M Handbook 14.95

The PASCAL Handbook 18.95

Microprocessor Interfacing
Techniques 17.95 i

TRANSFORMERS

4.95
5.95 I
7.95 |
10.95
7.95 I

3.95

4.95 I
5.95

6.95

6, 9, 12 VDC selectable with universal }
adapter 8.95

NOTE: Please Include sufficient amount for
shipping on above items.

FRAME STYLE

12.6VAC

2amp

12.6V AC CT

2amp

12.8V AC CT

4amp

12.8VAC CT

Samp

25.2VAC CT

2amp

PLUG CASE STYLE

12VAC

250ma

12VAC

500ma

12VAC

lamp

12VAC

2amp

DC ADAPATER

DISK DRIVES

TANDON

TM100-1 5% (FOR IBM) ss/dd 229.00 I
TM100-2 5% (FOR IBM) DS/DD259 00|

SHUGART

| SA 400L 5'/." (40 TRACK) SS/DD 199.95 I
| SA 400 5V«" (35 TRACK) SS/DD 189.95 I

PERTEC

I FD-200 5/. ss/dd 179.95 I

FD-250 s% ds/dd 199.95 I

MPI

MP-52 57." (FOR IBM) DS/DD 249.00|
NOTE: Please include sufficient amount
for shipping on above Items.

CABINETS FOR
CABINET #1 '29.95

* DIMENSIONS 8% x 5^6 x 3W

• COLOR MATCHES APPLE

* FITS STANDARD 5V*" DRIVES,
INCL. SHUGART

• INCLUDES MOUNTING
HARDWARE AND FEET

NOTE: Please Include sufficient amount for
•hipping on above Itemi.

8" DRIVE SALE
FD100-8 $189

SHUGART 801 EQUIVALENT
SS/DD 10 FOR $175 EA.

FD200-8 $239

SHUGART 851 EQUIVALENT
DS/DD 10 FOR $220 EA.

5V4" DISK DRIVES

CABINET #2 '79.00

• COMPLETE WITH POWER
SUPPLY, SWITCH, LINE
CORD, FUSE & STANDARD
POWER CONNECTOR

• DIMENSIONS: 11'/2x53/4X 3^16"

• +5V @ 1 AMP, +12V @ 1 .5 AMP

• FITS STANDARD 5'/<" DRIVES

• PLEASE SPECIFY
GRAY OR TAN

EDGE-

CARD

CONNECTORS

S-100 ST

3.95

S-100 WW

4.95

72 pin ST

6.95

72 pin WW

7.95

50 pin ST

4.95

44 pin ST

2.95

44 pin WW

4.95

, 44 pin SE

3.95

DIP CONNECTORS

HIGH RELIABILITY

COMPONENT

RIBBON

DESCRIPTION

TOOLED ST IC

CARRIERS

CABLE

SOCKETS

(DIP HEADERS)

DIP PLUGS (IDC)

ORDER BY

AUGATxx-ST

ICCxx

IDPxx

CONTACTS 8

.99

.65

14

.99

.75

1.45

16

.99

.85

1.65

18

1.69

1.00

20

1.89

1.25

22

1.89

1.25

24

1.99

1.35

2.50

28

2 49

1.50

40

2.99

2.10

4.15

For order instructions see "IDC Connectors" below.

WE GOOFED!

Due to overwhelming de-
mand, we are SOLD OUT ot
S A-460 disk drives. We apol-
ogize and thank you for your
understanding.

CENTRONICS

IDCEN36 Ribbon Cable 38 Pin Male 8.95

. CEN36 Solder Cup 36 Pin Male 7.95 ,

RIBBON CABLE

CONTACTS

SINGLE COLOR

COLOR CODED

r

10'

r

10'

10

.50

4.40

.83

7.30

16

.55

4.80

1.00

8.80

20

.65

5.70

1.25

11.00

25

.75

6.60

1.32

11.60

26

.75

6.60

1.32

11.60

34

.98

8.60

1.65

14.50

40

1.32

11.60

1.92

16.80

50

1.38

12.10

2.50

22.00

D-SUBMINIATURE

DESCRIPTION

SOLDER CUP

RIGHT ANGLE
PC SOLDER

IDC
RIBBON CABLE

HOODS

MALE

FEMALE

MALE

FEMALE

MALE

FEMALE

BLACK

GREY

ORDER BY

DBxxP

DBxxS

DBxxPR

DBxxSR

IDBxxP

IDBxxS

HOOD-B

HOOD

CONTACTS 9
15
25
37
50

2.08
2.69
2.50
4.80
6.06

2.66
3.63
3.25
7.11
9.24

1.65
2.20
3.00
4.83

2.18
3.03
4.42
6.19

3.37
4.70
6.23
9.22

3.69
5.13
6.84
10.08

1.25

1.60
1.60
1.25
2.95
3.50

For order instructions see "IDC Connectors" below.

MOUNTING HARDWARE 1.00

IDC CONNECTORS

DESCRIPTION

SOLDER HEADER

RIGHT ANGLE
SOLDER HEADER

WW HEADER

RIGHT ANGLE
WW HEADER

RIBBON
HEADER SOCKET

RIBBON
HEADER

RIBBON
EDGE CARD

ORDER BY

IDHxxS

IDHxxSR

IDHxxW

IDHxxWR

IDSxx

IDMxx

IDExx

CONTACTS 10
20
26
34
40
50

.82
1.29
1.68
2.20
2.58
3.24

.85
1.35
1.76
2.31
2.72
3.39

1.86
2.98
3.84
4.50
5.28
6.63

2.05
3.28
4.22
4.45
4.80
7.30

1.15
1.86
2.43
3.15
3.73
4.65

5.50
6.25
7.00
7.50
8.50

2.25
2.36
2.65
3.25
3.80
4.74

ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS: Insert the number of contacts in the position marked "xx" of the "order by" part number listed. Example: A 10 pin right angle solder style
header would be IDH10SR.

iC' Copyright 1983 JDR Microdevice

Circle 245 on inquiry card.

BYTE December 1983 651

FOR APPLE COMPUTER USERS

JDR PRODUCTS

JDR HALF-HEIGHT DISK DRIVE

• 35 Track w/Apple Controller NEW

* 40 Track Controller and DOS &QQQ95
Available (Call for Price) *fcUW

JDR 16K RAM CARD FOR APPLE II+

• 2 YEAR WARRANTY

Kit with Instructions $40.95

Bare PC Card $14.95

$4495

JDR COOLING FAN CLEARANCE SALE!

• With Surge Protection

• Quantities Are Limited!

800-538-5000
800-662-6279

(CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS)

OTHER ACCESSORIES FOR APPLE II

| THUNDERCLOCK $129.95

• Real-Time Clock Calendar * Software Included
* Mountain Software Compatible

• BSR Control Options Available

KRAFT JOYSTICK $49.95 |

"The Choice of Professionals"

MICR0MAX

VIEWMAX-80NOW ONLY *1599S

• 80 Column Card for Apple II+

• Video Soft Switch

• Inverse Video * 2 Year Warranty

VIEWMAX-80e NEW'12995

• 80 Column Card for Apple Me

• 64K RAM Expandable to 128K
64K RAM Upgrade $47.60

GRAPHMAX *12995

• Hi Resolution Graphics

• Printer Card

• Centronics Parallel Interface
Graphmax with Color

& Zoom Options $149.95

Z-MAX M3995

• Z-80 Card for Apple II+

• Use to Run CPM Programs

MA SYSTEMS

FD-35 DISK DRIVE $229.95 1

• Shugart Mechanism — Made in U.S.A.
* Direct Replacement for Apple Disk 11*1 Year Warranty

CONTROLLER CARD $69.95 |

* One Year Warranty

APPLE COVTIPATIBLE POWER S0PPLV

* Use To Power Apple-Type Systems

* +5V@5A H2V@3A (lIAOR
5V@.5A -12V@.5A «P/H"w

* Instructions Included

~PERIS0FT

PRINTERLINK

* Low Cost Centronics
Parallel Interface with $RQflfl

VISA Cable and Manual *5TO^

MESSENGER

* Serial Interface
i Connects Virtually

Any Serial Device SQQ00

* Includes Cable VJUJ*"*

TIMELINK

* Real-Time Clock
Calendar with Alarm $0410(1
Feature »Q||WW

ALL WITH ONE YEAR WARRANTY

MONITORS

MONOCHROME

BMC BM 12AUW GREEN 12" NEW $89.95

NEC JB1201M- 20 MHZ GREEN $1 69.00

ZENITH ZVM-121 - 15 MHZ GREEN $99.00

TAXAN is mhz amber M39.00

COLOR

BMC BM-AU9191U COMPOSITE 13" *279.00

AMDEK color i - composite $335.00

NO CO.D. ORDERS PLEASE

"^W^ISKETTE^

UERBATIM DATALIFE

SS/DD soft sector 29.95

SS/DD 10 sector hard 29.95

NASHUA

SS/SD SOFT SECTOR t-l ftOS

WITH HUB RING * I 5J

Ask about our full line of Nashua diskettes BEST BUY

IYIERCHANDISE

100o/o
GUARANTEED

VISIT OUR RETAIL STORE

JDR Microdevices

1224 S. Bascom Ave. • San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 995-5430 • Telex 171-110

HOURS: M-W-F, 9-5

T-Th., 9-9

Sat. 10-3

PLEASE USE YOUR CUSTOMER NUMBER WHEN ORDERING

TERMS: Minimum order $10 For shipping and handling Inclu
$2.50 lor UPS Ground and $3.50 for UPS Air Orders over 1 lb. and
foreign orders may require additional shipping charges — please
conlacl our sales department tor the amount CA residents must
include 6% sates tax. Bay Area and LA residents include 6Vi%, Prices
subject to change without notice We are not responsible lor
typographical errors. We reserve the right to limit quantities and to
substitute manufacturer, All merchandise subject lo prior sale

Copyright 1983 JDR Microdevices

652 BYTE Etecember 1983

Circle 246 on inquiry card.

Unclassified Ads

NEEDED: Nonprofit performing-arts foundation seeks tax-
deductible donations of portable computer with or without
printer, typewriters, and Tl-compatible printer to aid us in mail-
ings, finances, and fund raising. Hugh Appet. American Dance
Foundation Inc.. 2291 Broadway. New York. NY 10024. |2I2)
799-5445.

WANTED: Nonprofit group of volunteer professionals devoted
to rehabilitation research and community service for persons with
hearing or vision impairments needs Tl 99/4A. cassette, RS-232C
interface and modem. VIC-20s with datasettes, VICModem. two
green monitors, and IEEE-488- or RS-232C-compatible dot-matrix
printer. Will pay shipping. Donations are fully tax exempt. J.
Whitlock. New England Institute of Applied Biophysics. 59 North
Ashland St.. Worcester. MA 01609. |6I7| 798-8707.
WANTED: Elwyn Institute is a nonprofit rehabilitation center
seeking a distributor for new ribbon cartridges that are assem-
bled, tested, and manufactured by handicapped people. We
also welcome tax-exempt donations of word-processing equip-
ment. Alvin Sydnor. Elwyn Institute. 5001 Lancaster Ave,
Philadelphia. PA 19131. (215) 477-9100,
WANTED: A donation of any micro- or minicomputer for an
educational cause. Will accept computer books, computer audio/
visual materials, video player/recorder plus compatible color TV.
Also, will buy: Apple II or lie and Europlus 48K microcomputer
with drives, controllers [with or without), a 12-inch green screen,
a I6K RAM card. Z80 CP/M card. 80-column matrix printer, and
more, lendekai Muzorewa. POB FMI56. Famona. Bulawayo, Zim-
babwe, Africa, tel: 34916 Bulawayo.

WANTED: Student (micro|electronic class needs your discarded
or unwanted computers, systems, printers, or parts for educational
use. Jim Seals. 1819 North Semoran Blvd.. Orlando. FL 32807.
WANTED: Two nonprofit organizations, a church-youth group
and school FTA, need a new or slightly used Tl 99/4A-compatible
printer with cords. Donations are tax deductible. Brian Neidig.
2105 Old Coupland Rd.. Taylor. TX 76574.
WANTED: Christian church seeks donation of personal com-
puter for church-accounting purposes. Gifts are tax deductible.
Rev. Feeser or Nate Solem. Grace Lutheran Church. 2101 Harrison
St.. Kingman. AZ 86401. |602| 753-3068.
WANTED: The Solebury Student Computer Club is interested
in trading Apple-compatible sofrware. Please send your list of soft-
ware. The Solebury Student Computer Club, Phillips Mill Rd„ New
Hope. PA 18938.

WANTED: College student needs programs of a scientific or
mathematical nature for the Apple II, II Plus, and lie. especially
in chemistry and physics. If you send a disk. I will return it with
utility programs. Eli Rotenberg. 1203 Magee Ave.. Philadelphia.
PA I9III.

WANTED: High school student would appreciate a donated
computer for programming and experimentation purposes. Karl
Smolenski. 2924 R. 54a. Penn Yan. NY 14527.
WANTED: High school student needs computer or spare parts
to make one. Also, any computer books. Norm Guertin. 281 Graf-
ton St, Worcester. MA 01604

FOR SALE: Back issues of BYTE from January 1980 to
December 1982, except January 1982. Good condition: all for
SI00. postage paid anywhere in the continental US. Send cashier's
check or money order, Phil Busch. 790 Northeast Wharton Dr.,
Grants Pass. OR 97526. |503) 474-1354.
FOR TRADE: Entire sheet of POKEs and PEEKS along with
collection of programs for exchange with TRS-80 Color Computer
users Send list of all programs to swap with mine, also any infor-
mation that may be passed on, Stephen Inoue, 4194 Tambor Rd„
San Diego. CA 92124. |619) 571-1412.
WANTED: One copy of BYTE Vol. I. No. 5. January 1976. to
make set complete. W.A. Winshall. 3 Ferndale Rd.. Weston, MA
02193. |617| 235-5360.

FOR SALE: North Star Horizon. 5 users. 352K RAM. S/<-inch
disk drive. 338K. ten I/O serial ports, Z80A CPU. 14-inch hard disk
18 MB. HDOS CP/M. TSS/C. HBASIC. Cost over S12.000. sell S5750
or near offer. The Armchair Sailor Bookstore. Lee's Wharf.
Newport. Rl 02840. |40l) 847-4252.

FOR SALE: Winchester Tallgrass double-disk drive. 12 plus 12
megabyte tape backup, almost new. considerably below market
price. Also. Cyma Dental Receivable program to sell or trade for
new Softward. Judith D. Sutterfield. 1800 Alamo Ave., Colorado
Springs. CO 80907.

FOR SALE: Modified TRS-80 Model I Level II. I6K computer.
Includes cassette, stringy floppy, wafers with programs for both
business and games; TRS-80 Line Printer; and custom-built
table. Entire system to go. worth over S 1 100. asking S800. Joel
Mmchinton. 107 South 2nd St, Wahpeton. ND 58075. |70l|
642-1326.

WANTED: High school student would like donated Apple
computer equipment, cards, peripherals, anything unwanted. I
will gladly pay all postage. Chris Faigle. 300 1 River Hills Terrace.
Midlothian. VA 231 13. |804J 794-8903.
FOR SALE: Seven Compupro 16K static memory boards;
four Compupro 8K static memory boards: two MITS 4K static
memory boards; two MITS ROM BASIC; two MITS floppy-disk
controllers; 2 MITS 8080 CPU boards: one MITS turnkey
module; and two MITS cassette adapters. Also, Western Digital
WD1000-85: S375 and SOROC IO 120. CRT. good condition:
S350. David E. Boston. POB 518. Cedarville. OH 45314. |5I3|
766-5198.

FOR SALE: Micro Term ACT-IVa: S275. Sanyo 15-inch
black-and-white video monitor; SI50. Zenith Z-19A terminal:
S470, Sinclair ZXB I. S28. DEC MSVII-DD |64K-byte Q-bus dual-
height RAM board): S250. DEC DLVIIJ |Q-bus 4-serial line
board) with cables: S320. Vadic 3400 modem. 1 200 bits per se-
cond, full duplex: S395. All perfect. R. Thornton, |5I6|
686-7890 or 626-39 1 9.

FOR SALE: Apple II Plus 48K, keyboard replaced. Hefty
power supply: S900 or offer. Without power supply and case:
S625. Mark Carroll. 1550 Beverly Place. Berkeley. CA 94706.
14 1 5) 525-7608 or 658-6719.

FOR SALE: Four new Apple II- and lie-compatible disk drives
that include half-tracking. CP/M. Pascal. DOS 3.3 and 3.2: S225
each or S880 for all. Also. Atari cartridges: Indy 500 [S25| and
Speedway II [S9|. Peter Doty, 4813 Northwest 19th Place,
Gainesville. FL 32605, |904) 376-0542,
FOR SALE: North Star Horizon 32K with two QD disk drives,
Wordsmith word-processing system 140-line by 85-column
screen), detached WP keyboard, and software: S2I50. Also,
Diablo 1650 printer: S2000. All in perfect condition. Bob
Renegar. 23 Brookside Rd, Wallingford, PA 19086. (2I5|
566-4097.

FOR SALE: Motorola 6800 system with SOROC I Q- 1 20 ter-
minal. SwTPC motherboard, MP-AZ processor board, two 8K
and one 4K static memory boards, 16K static memory un-
populated, cassette interface. PROM burner MP-R and soft-
ware, MPT Timer, two serial and two parallel interface boards.
Editor/Assembler. 4K and 8K BASIC, software on ROM and
cassette, manuals: S 1 395. Will ship. Ray Romeu. 2530 Parkway
St, Ft. Myers. FL 33901. |BI3| 936-5459.
FOR SALE: Cardco Universal Cassette Interface for VIC-20
and C-64. In excellent condition: asking S35 or best offer. Also
for sale: VIC-20 hardware and cassettes. Will pay shipping. I
want to form a VIC-20 users club In the Rochester area. Eduar-
do Fernandez. 185 Parkside Ave, Rochester, NY 14609. |716)
482-0643.

WANTED: SOL computer modifications: 80- by 24-inch
screen module. Z80 module 4 MHz. dual-personality module,
and schematic diagram of the IMSAI AP-44 printer. Kjell Qwarn-
strom. Lejonets Gata 352. 13660 Handen. Sweden,
FOR SALE: 8080 Editor. Assembler. Monitor in 3 volumes
with. hex and octal listing and full discussion of their use: S 15.
101 Basic Computer Games by Ahl: S6. Basic Software Library.
vol.1; S 12. S30 lor all. postpaid. Also OST and Ham Radio, R.
Mendelson, 27 Somerset Place, Murray Hill, NJ 07974.
FOR SALE: North Star Horizon with two DD disk drives.
56K. floating-point board, and Godbout Graphics board.
Hazeltine 1500 VDT with 24 by 80 characters. Texas In-
struments 810 dot-matrix printer, RS-232C serial interface. 150
cps, 3600 bits per second, tractor feed, and stand. Excellent
condition: asking S800 for computer. S300 for terminal, and
S700 for printer or make an offer for ait. Eddy Stappaerts, 6716
El Rodeo Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes. CA 90272. (21 3)
377-1682.

FOR SALE: Shugart SA 80 1 R 8-inch SSDD disk drives. All are
brand new. still factory-sealed in original cartons. Will sell for
SI 99 each or two for S350. You pay shipping. Greg Olson.
POB 908, Newport. WA 99 1 56. |509| 447-5963 evenings and
weekends.

FOR SALE: 64K memory board for the Atari 400/800. brand
new with guarantee, complete: S85. Ben Katz, 9062 Veronica
Dr.. Huntington Beach. CA 92646, (714) 968-2780.
FOR SALE: Partially disassembled Harris data terminal (IBM
Selectric mechanism, correspondence code, integral modem
board, telephone cradle) with IBM and terminal manuals: S 1 25.
XITEK SCT- 1 00 |S- 1 00 bus| video board with manual and RF
converter: S35 FOB, Richard J. Willis, 10325 Caminito Cuervo
#168. San Diego. CA 92108.

FOR SALE: Two printers: Micro Peripherals KP-40 with 44
columns, three 7/8-inch rolls of paper, dot-matrix mechanism
and interface: assembled and like new: S75 or best offer. Cen-
tronics 737 7 by 9 dot-matrix, six type styles, slightly used condi-
tion: S250 or best offer. Thomas Kryst. Rt. 5 Box 209. Rolla. MO
65401.

FOR SALE: Ohio Scientific C3D with 52K bytes main memory
Ampex D80 CRT terminal and Anadex 9501 printer. Disk storage
is 'A megabyte floppy, 7 megabyte disk: S5000, Ellie Miller, Pine
Tree Legal Assistance. 146 Middle St, Portland. ME 04101. |207|
774-8211

LEGAL NOTICE

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP,

MANAGEMENT

AND CIRCULATION

(Required by 39 U.8.C. 3685)

1. Title of publication: BYTE

2. Date of filing: October 1, 1983.

3. Frequency of Issue: monthly.

3A. Number of Issues published annually: 12.
3B. Annual Subscription Price: $21.00.
A. Complete mailing address of known office of
publication: 70 Main Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.

5. Complete mailing address of the headquarters
or general business offices of the publishers: 1221
Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

6. Full names and complete mailing address of
publisher, editor, and managing editor: Publisher,
Gene W. Simpson, 70 Main Street, Peterborough, NH
03458: Editor, Lawrence J. Curran, 70 Main Street,
Peterborough, NH 03458; Managing Editor, Pamela
Clark, 70 Main Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.

7. Owner The owner Is McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1221
Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
Stockholders holding 1 percent or more of slock are:
Donald C. McGraw, Jr.: Harold W. McGraw, Jr.; John L.
McGraw; William H. McGraw; June M. McBroom;
Elizabeth McGraw Webster; all in care of McGraw-Hill.
Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
10020; Cede & Co. c/o Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036;
DuPont Pension c7o Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney
Square North, Wilmington, DE 19890; Ohio Public
Employees Retirement System, 277 East Town Street,
Columbus, OH 43215.

8. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other
security holders owning or holding 1 percent or
more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other
securities: None.

9. Not applicable.

10. Extent and nature of circulation:

Actual

Average No. Copies

No. Copies of Single

Each Issue Issue

During Published

Preceding Nearest to

12 Months Filing Date

A. Total No. Copies 418,833 473,500

B. Paid Circulation

1. Sales through
dealers and carriers,
street vendors and

counter sales 119,624 181,875

2. Mall Subscription 266,805 282,506

C. Total Paid Circula-
tion 386,429 464,387

D. Free distribution by
mail, carrier or other
means samples,
complimentary, and

other free copies 5,165 2,095

E. Total distribution 397,594 466,476

F. Copies not
distributed

1. Office use, left
over, unaccounted,

spoiled after printing 6,130 7,024

2. Return from news

agents 21, 109 None to date

G. Total 418,833 473,500
11.1 certify that the statements made by me

above are correct and complete.
BYTE
Gene W. Simpson, Publisher

UNCLASSIFIED POLICY: Readers who have computer equipment to buy, sell, or
trade or who are requesting or giving advice may send a notice to BYTE for inclusion
in the Unclassified Ads section. To be considered for publication, an advertisement must
be noncommercial (individuals or bona fide computer clubs only), typed double-spaced
on plain white paper, contain 75 words or fewer, and include complete name and
address. This service is free of charge; notices are printed once only as space permits.
Your confirmation of placement is appearance in an issue of BYTE as we engage in no
correspondence. Please allow at least three months for your ad to appear. Send your
notices to Unclassified Ads, BYTE/McGraw-Hill, POB 372, Hancock, NH 03449.

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc. 653

Unclassified Ads

WANTED: High school student with PET 2001 wants work-
ing or broken PETs. I wilt pay postage. Eric Ryoti. 1 62 Redwood
Dr., Richmond, KY 40475, |606) 623-2207.
FOR SALE: Heath H-l I processor with 32K-byte memory,
H-27 dual floppy-disk drive, two serial interface ports, and H-l 9
CRT. Includes all documentation and FORTRAN/BASIC
operating software: S4000 or best offer. T.A. Homan, 7741
Stanley Mill Dr., Centerville, OH 45459, (513) 434-3896.
FOR SALE: RCA VIP with 4K, Simple and Super sound
boards, ASCII keyboard. Tiny BASIC, homemade color board. 5
volt, I A power supply, 3 years, of Viper, and cassettes with
over 60 games and programs. With manuals and documenta-
tion; requires video monitor and cassette recorder. Over S550
value, selling for S390. Nathan Gopen. 168 Pond St., Sharon,
MA 02067. |6I7| 784-2771.

FOR SALE: Expansion Interface for use with the TRS-80
Model I. I am also interested in 40-track disk drives for use with
same. Brad Karp, 8101 Hawthorne Lane, Elkins Park. PA
1 9 1 1 7. (2 1 5J 379-0667 evenings.

FOR SALE: Heath/Zenith Z-90 with I6K expansion RAM;
Z-47 8-inch DSDD drives; H-25 high-speed printer with soft-
ware: S6500 or best offer. Tim Olson, (701) 774-3684.
FOR SALE: integral Data Systems Microprism Model 480,
1 K-byte buffer, parallel/serial I/O, programmable, graphics, near
letter quality, draft speed modes of 5, 6, 8.4, 10, 12, and 16.8
cpi plus other features. Like new with cable and paper: S450.
Rich Reis, 711 Copley Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20904, (301)
384-0540.

WANTED: Radio Shack or LNW expansion interface for
TRS-80 Model I. Joe Dashiell. 501 Fairfax Rd. #623, Blacksburg.
VA 24060, (703) 552-8408.

FOR SALE: TRS-80/S-100. Complete S-100 HUH 8100 bus
converter fully loaded. DTE/DCE RS-232C serial, current loop,
and parallel I/O. 1 6K RAM and six S- 1 00 slots, in finished wood
case with 8-amp power supply and cooling fan; $600 value,
asking S450. Also, two Godbout EconoRAM 8K S-100 at S65
each. Jade Terminator/Extender: S50. Jade Double-D disk-
controller kit: S225. Penny Whistle 103 acoustic modem: S50.
Will accept reasonable offer. Jens Hansen, (904) 968-0126.
FOR SALE: Three Digital Group machines. Two have
TVC64, four parallel and serial ports, keyboard, monitor, and
cabinets. One has DG Z80A CPU. 58K. and two drives. Other
has R. & W Z80A CPU. 64K. new motherboards, and two 8-inch
DDSS disk drives. Third has DG Z80A CPU, 64K, TVC64. four
parallel and serial ports, keyboard, monitor, and two 8-inch
DDSS disk drives. Send SASE for list and prices. H. Wood, 2002
Rookwood Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910. (301) 589-4171.
FOR SALE: HP 82905B Printer. 80-cps impact printer with
five type options and graphics. HPIB (IEEE 488) interface, with
2m HPIB cable. New in June '83; S885 retail. S440 or best
offer; UPS COD. Also, HPIB cables in different lengths and func-
tional: S30 each [S80-100 retail). Tom von Alten, 9250 Land-
mark, Boise, ID 83704, |208J 322-7804.
WANTED: Italian-speaking microcomputer fans to exchange
ideas and programs for the Tl 99/4A home computer. Roy
Moglia, 5137 Burlington Ave. N, St. Petersburg. FL 33710.

BOMB

BYTE'

s Ongoing Monitor Box

Article #

Page

Article

Author(s)

1

36

Keep Power-Line Pollution Out of Your Computer

Garcia

2

48

BYTE West Coast: Microsoft Windows

Lemmons

3

59

User's Column: Buddy, Can You Spare a Door

Latch?

Pournelle

4

103

An Introduction to Integrated Software

Chang

5

113

Presentation and Form in User-Interface Architecture

Carroll

6

127

Why Is Software So Hard to Use?

Edwards, Sam

7

143

Walt Disney and User-Oriented Software

Heckel

8

155

Making Life Easier for Professional and Novice

Programmers

Pope,
Kates,
Fineberg

9

161

Simplify. Simplify, Simplify

Dean

10

177

Integrating Voice in the Office World

Nicholson

II

189

The Starburst User Interface

Vandor

12

199

The Complete Information-Management System

Brown

13

210

The Allegory of Software

Houston

14

218

The New Interface Technology

Warfield,
White

15

234

Trackball-Interfacing Techniques for Microprocessors

Andrews

16

247

The User Interface: Two Approaches

Herbach,

Katz,

Landau

17

263

The Future of Metaphor in Man-Computer Systems

Clanton

18

286

The Texas Instruments Professional Computer

Haas

19

329

The ATR80O0

Small.
Small

20

343

The Hercules Graphics Card

Wadlow

21

360

The Wang Professional Computer

Long

22

372

In Search of the Most Amazing Thing

Holden

23

380

Color Graphics from Any Computer

Essig

24

400

Mainframe to Micro: Adapting a Financial-Modeling

Language

Dunn

25

417

POKEing Around in the IBM PC, Part 2: Developing
Subroutines for BIOS Interface and Screen-Display

Disk Storage

Howson

26

443

The CMOS 6502

Hendrix

27

457

A Tiger Meets a Dragon

Rollins

28

481

A Computer-Algebra-Based Calculating System

Edwards. Stuart

29

519

The User Looks at Books

Pournelle

WANTED: Need to communicate with Morrow Designs
Micro Decision users about its good and bad points. Howard
Burns, 1265 North Diamond Bar Blvd.. Diamond Bar. CA
91765. |714| 594-9259 evenings.

FOR SALE: Serria Data Sciences Z-80 SBC with CP/M 2 2
mounted in XOR 4-slot mainframe with two 8-inch Tandon
thinline SSDD drives. Limited use: SI 500. D. I. Lawry. POB
I 157. Corrales. NM 87048, |505) 898-5245.
FOR SALE: OSI C 1 P Model II with 8K RAM/ROM. 600 bits
per second, cassette interface, joysticks, and software.
Documented. Original cost over S600, all for S275 or will trade
for Apple ll-compatible drive with DOS and controller. Lorenz
Huelsbergen. 1908 Alabama St.. Lawrence. KS 66044.

It May Come as No Surprise

The Circuit Cellar's creator, Steve
Garcia, has won first place and the
$100 bonus in September's roundup
with the first part of "Build the Micro
D-Cam Solid-State Video Camera,"
entitled "The IS32 Optic RAM and
the Micro D-Cam Hardware." Sec-
ond place goes to our illustrious
commentator, Jerry Pournelle, for
"The Next Five Years in Microcom-
puters." And along with winning
the $50 prize for second place. Dr.
Pournelle walks off with third place
for his User's Column about "Eagles,
Text Editors, New Compilers, and
Much More." In fourth place,
readers chose BYTE technical editor
Stanley Wszola for "How to Choose
a Portable." And fifth-place winners
are the authors of the trilogy entitled
"Inside CMOS Technology," Martin
B. Pawloski, Tony Moroyan, and Joe
Altnether. Congratulations to all
these authors.

Correspondence

Address all editorial correspondence to the editor
at BYTE, POB 372. Hancock, NH 03449. Unaccept-
able manuscripts will be returned if accompanied
by sufficient first-class postage. Not responsible for
lost manuscripts or photos. Opinions expressed by
the authors are not necessarily those of BYTE. En-
tire contents copyright © 1 983 by BYTE Publica-
tions Inc. All rights reserved. Where necessary, per-
mission is granted by the copyright owner for librar-
ies and others registered with the Copyright
Clearance Center (CCC) to photocopy any article
herein for the flat fee of S 1 .50 per copy of the arti-
cle or any part thereof. Correspondence and pay-
ment should be sent directly to the CCC, 2 1 Con-
gress St., Salem, MA 01970. Specify ISSN 0360-
5280/83. S 1 .50. Copying done for other than per-
sonal or internal reference use without the permis-
sion of McGraw-Hill is prohibited. Requests for
special permission or bulk orders should be ad-
dressed to the publisher. BYTE15 is available in
microform from University Microfilms International.
300 North Zeeb Rd., Dept. PR. Ann Arbor. Ml
48106 USA or 18 Bedford Row, Dept. PR. London
WCIR 4EJ England.

654 December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

Reader Service

Inquiry No. Page No.

3 1ST.PLACE SYSTEMS 420
1 1 SUPERWAREHOUSE 202

4 800 SOFTWARE 454, 455

6 A.S.T. RESEARCH 279

7 AB COMPUTERS 609

8 ABC DATA PRODUCTS 406

9 ACTION COMPUTER 95
ACTION POTENTIAL 604
ADDMASTER CORP. 614
ADV. COMP. PROD. 638, 639
ADV. DIGITAL CORP. 147
ADV.GRAPHIC ENGINEERING 604
ADV. LOGIC SYSTEMS 307
ADV. SYS. CONCEPTS 6B
AFTERTHOUGHT 642
ALF PRODUCTS, INC. 318
ALL ELECTRONICS CORP. 538
ALPHA NUMERIC 378
ALPHA OMEGA COMPUTER 146
AM MICRO 268
AMDEK CORP. 63
AMER. BUYING & EXPORT 534
AMER. SQUARE COMP. 83
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO. 565
ANADEX 435

ANGEL'S COMPUTER 485
APPARAT INC. 311
APPLE COMPUTER INC. CM, 1
APPLE COUNTRY LTD. 624, 625
APPLEWARE INC. 600
APPLIED SOFTWARE TECH. 323
ARKTRONICS CORP. 79
ARTIFICIAL INTL. RESEARCH 614
ASHTON-TATE 145
ASHTON-TATE 439
ATARI SOFT 370, 371
AT&T CONSUMER PROD. 309
AVIS RENT-A-CAR 571
AVOCET 445
B&B ELECTR. 600
B&B ELECTR. 610
BAHR TECHNOLOGY 30
BASF SYSTEMS 433
BAY TECHNICAL ASSOC. 12
BELL, JOHN ENGR. 628
BELL, JOHN ENGR. 628
BELL, JOHN ENGR. 629
BELL, JOHN ENGR. 629
BHRT 340, 341
BMC USA, INC. 498
BMC USA, INC. 498
BORLAND, LTD. 456
BOTTOM LINE, THE 262
BOULDER LOGICAL TESTING 620
BROWN DISC MANUFACTURING 176
BURDICK CO 446
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 644
BYTE PUBL. INC. 494
BYTE BACK ISSUES 524
BYTEK COMP. SYS. CORP. 466
BYTEWRITER 26
C WARE 430
C-SYSTEMS 614
C.S.D. INC. 150
CABLES UNLTD. 616
CAL-COM SERVICES 608
CALIF. DIGITAL 626, 627
CALIF. DATA CORP. 600
CALIF. MICRO COMP. 316
CARRYCASE 280
CDR SYSTEMS 616
CENTENNIAL COMP. PROD. 259
CENTRE COMP.CONSTNTS. 604
CENTRE COMP.CONSTNTS. 606
CHANNEL SYS 593
CHESSELL-ROBOCOM CORP. 94
CHIPS & DALE 644
CHRISLIN IND. INC. 253
CHROMOD ASSOC. 610
CLEO 562, 563
CMC, INTL. 24
COGITATE 430
COGITATE 620

COLORADO COMP. PERIPH. 606
COLUMBIA DATA PROD. 121
COMMAND SERVICES CORP. 600
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS SYS. 597
COMMUNICATIONS ELECTR. 196, 197
COMP. COMPNTS. UNLTD. 634, 635
COMP. COMPNTS. UNLTD. 636. 637
COMP.WHOLESALERS OF
FREDERICK 408

COMPAQ COMPUTER CORP. 10, 11
COMPETITIVE EDGE 448

10
11
12

14

15

16

506

18

521

20

26

21
22

23
24
25
27
28
29
30
31
32
34
35
36

38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
481
482

51
52
53

54

55
56

57

58

461

59

60

515
62

64
65

489
66
67
68
69
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82

487

Inquiry No.

Page No.

495 COMPLEXX SYSTEMS INC. 275

87 COMPONENTS EXPRESS 192
459 COMPU-MEDIA SOFT. 602

88 COMPUADD 612

89 COMPUADD 612

90 COMPUADD 612

91 COMPUADD 612

93 COMPUPRO 149

• COMPUPRO 540, 541, 542

94 COMPUSERVE 385

95 COMPUSHACK 535

96 COMPUTER ACCESSORIES 291

97 COMPUTER APPARATUS 471

98 COMPUTER CHANNEL 164

99 COMPUTER DISCOUNT PROD. 645
483 COMPUTER EDITYPE 86

477 COMPUTER FOOD PRESS 602

101 COMPUTER FURN. & ACCSS. 207

102 COMPUTER HUT OF N.E. 463

103 COMPUTER INNOVATIONS 106

104 COMPUTER MAIL ORDER 544, 545
514 COMPUTER PAPER PEOPLE 642

' COMPUTER PLUS 73

106 COMPUTER POST INC. 643

107 COMPUTER PRICE CLUB 606

1 1 1 COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY 538
513 COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY 642

• COMPUTER WAREHOUSE 509

112 COMPUTERUNE INT1-A 496, 497

113 COMPUTERLINE INT'L-B 298

114 COMPUTERS AND MORE 134

115 COMPUTERS WHOLESALE 325
512 COMPUTRONIX CORP. 642

116 COMPUVIEW PROD.INC. 56, 57

117 CONCORDE PERIPHERAL SYS. 294

118 CONCORDE PERIPHERAL SYS. 294

119 CONDOR COMP. CORP. 303
83 CONROY-LAPOINTE 186, 187
B4 CONROY-LAPOINTE 186, 187
85 CONROY-LAPOINTE 186, 187

509 CONTINENTAL PRESS 642

120 CONTROL DATA CORP. 377

121 CONTROL ELECTR.INC. 316

122 CORONA DATA SYS. 337

123 CORVUS SYS. INC. 409

124 COSMOS 165

125 CREATIVE LOGIC 78

126 CREATIVITY UNLTD. 602

127 CROMEMCO 5

128 CUESTA SYSTEMS 612

129 CUMANA 18

130 CUSTOM COMP.TECH. 615

131 DATA ACQUISITIONS SYS. 98, 99

132 DATA STORAGE SOLUTIONS 195

133 DATABASE RESEARCH 179

134 DATAPRODUCTS 515

135 DATASOURCE SYS.MRKTG. 76

504 DATASOUTH COMPUTER CORP. 266

505 DATASOUTH COMPUTER CORP. 426

136 DATEC, INC. 473

137 DECOTEC 608

• DELUXE COMP. FORMS 410

138 DENNISON KYBE CORP. 293
502 DIALOG 387

139 DIAMOND SFTW.SUPPLY 228

140 DIGICOMP RESRCH CORP 608

141 DIGISOFT COMPUTERS 479

142 DIGITAL DELI 604

143 DIGITAL DIMENSIONS 434

• DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORP. 109,
110, 111

144 DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORP. 415

145 DIGITAL MARKETING 274

146 DIGITAL MEDIA 600

147 DIGITAL RESEARCH 232, 233

148 DIGITAL RESEARCH 547

• DIGITAL RESEARCH COMP. 603

• DIRECT SOFTWARE 453

149 DISCOUNT SOFTWARE 267

150 DISCWASHER COMP. ACCESS. 301

151 DISKS 'N THINGS 606

152 DISKWORLD610

153 DISPLAY TELECOMMNCTNS. 613

154 DISPLAYED VIDEO 607

155 DMA 477

156 DMA SYSTEMS 369

157 DOKAY COMP. PROD. INC. 632, 633

158 DOW JONES SOFTWARE 9

159 DWIGHT CO., INC. 620

160 DYNACOMP 616

161 DYNAX, INC. 167

162 DYSAN CORP. 449

222 EAGLE COMPUTER 528, 529

163 EAGLE SOFTWARE 162

Inquiry No.

Page No.

164 EAST SIDE SOFTWARE 347

165 EASTERN ENTERPRISES 172

167 ELCOMP602
519 ELECTRADE 280

168 ELECTRADE 608

169 ELECTRONIC PROTECTION DEV. 31

170 ELECTRONIC PROTECTION DEV. 33

171 ELECTRONIC SPECIALISTS 448

172 ELEK-TEK 388
488 ELEK-TEK 452

173 ELLIS COMPUTING INC. 69

174 ELLIS COMPUTING INC. 331

• EMPIRICAL RESEARCH GROUP 122

175 ENGINEERING SPECIALTIES 616

176 ENTER COMPUTER 46, 47

• EPSON AMERICA 70, 71
179 EPSON AMERICA 555

181 EXCEL 148

182 EXCEL 527

183 EXPOTEK324

184 EXXON OFFICE SYSTEMS 620

185 F.T.G.DATA SYS. 614

186 FALCO DATA PROD. 142

187 FENWAL PROTECTION SYS. 561
18B FIGURE-LOGIC BUS. EQUIP. 614

189 FLAGSTAFF ENGINEERING 226

190 FLIP-IT 306

191 FLOPPY DISK SERV. INC. 157

192 FORM ASTER CORP. 41 1

193 FORMULA INT'L. 605

194 FORMULA INT'L. 605

195 FOX & GELLER INC. 102

196 FUJITSU PROFESS. MICROSYS. 315

1 97 GARDEN OF EDEN COMPUTERS 604

• GENERAL ELECTRIC R&D 480

198 GENERAL TECHNOLOGY 85

199 GIFFORD COMP.SYS. 442

200 GILTRONIX, INC. 620

201 GLOUCESTER COMP.CO.INC. 600
350 GRAY MARKET, THE 599

202 GREAT LAKES COMPUTER 151

204 GREAT SALT LAKE COMP. 617

205 GREAT SALT LAKE COMP. 618, 619

206 GTEK INC. 214

" H&E COMPUTRONICS 107

207 H&M DISK DRIVE SERVICES 600
493 HANDWELL CORP 431

210 HANDWELL CORP. 61 1

211 HAYDEN SOFTWARE 269

212 HAYES MICROCOMP.PROD. 139

213 HAYES MICROCOMP.PROD. 447

214 HOLIDAY INNS, INC. 483

215 HOLLYWOOD HARDWARE 620
510 HOLLYWOOD HARDWARE 642

216 HOUSTON INSTRUMENTS 193

217 HUMAN DESIGNED SYSTEMS 231
21B HUMAN SOFT 91

219 I.T.M. 342

220 IBM CORP. 28, 29

223 IMAGE COMP. PROD. 522

224 IN-SYNC 612

225 INCOMM 194

227 INFOCOM 152, 153

228 INFORMATION RESOURCES 470

229 INSIGHT ENTERPRISES 600

230 INT'L COMP.&TELECOMM.INC. 604

231 INTEGRAND 368

232 INTERACTIVE STRUCT. 407

233 INTERCONTN.MICRO SYS. 413

234 INTERDATA SYSTEMS INC. 67

479 INTERFACE INC. 240

480 INTERFACE INC. 240

236 INTERTEC DATA SYS. 13

237 |pp 533

238 IQ TECHNOLOGIES 299

240 J.C. SYSTEMS 129

241 JADE COMP.PROD. 621

242 JADE COMP.PROD. 622, 623

• JAMECO ELECTR. 105

243 JAMECO ELECTR. 630, 631

244 JDR MICRODEVICES INC. 648, 649

245 JDR MICRODEVICES INC. 650, 651

246 JDR MICRODEVICES INC. 652

247 JUKI INDUSTRY OF AMERICA 201

248 KADAK PRODUCTS 82

249 KAYPRO 548, 549

250 KELLY COMP.SUPPLIES 602

251 KELLY COMP.SUPPLIES 612

252 KELLY COMP.SUPPLIES 620

253 KENSINGTON MICROWARE 339

254 KERN PUBLICATIONS 404, 405

256 KEYTRONICS CORP. 389

257 KING SOFTWARE 600

258 LABORATORY MICROSYS. 82

To get further information on the products advertised in BYTE, fill out the reader service card
with your name and address. Then circle the appropriate numbers for the advertisers you select
from the list. Add a 20-cent stamp to the card, then drop it in the mail. Not only do you gain
information, but our advertisers are encouraged to use the marketplace provided by BYTE. This
helps us bring you a bigger BYTE. The index is provided as an additional service by the publisher,
who assumes no liability for errors or omissions. "Correspond directly with company.

Inquiry No.

Page No.

• LANGLEY ST. CLAIR 198

259 LANIER BUSN.PROD. 488, 489

260 LANIER BUSN.PROD. 495

262 LEADING EDGE PROD CIN

263 LIBERTY GROUP INC. 543

264 LIGO RESEARCH INC. 357

• LINNTON ELECTRONIC SYS. 608

265 LOGICAL DEVICES 14

266 LOGICAL DEVICES 644

267 LOGICAL MICROCOMPUTER 188

268 LOMAS DATA PRODUCTS 246

269 LOTUS DEVELOPMENT 317

270 LSI JAPAN CO. 644

271 LYBEN COMP. SYS. 604

272 LYBEN COMP. SYS. 606

273 LYCO COMPUTER 513
492 MA SYSTEMS 51 1

274 MACROTECH INT'L. 359

275 MANX SOFTWARE SYS. 62
518 MARITIME SOFTWARE 280

276 MARYMAC INDUSTRIES 522

277 MAYNARD ELECTRONICS 97

278 MC TOY COMPANY 45

• MC-P APPLICATIONS 333

• MCGRAW-HILL INC. 304, 305

• MEMOREX MEDIA PROD. 241

279 MET CHEM INT'L.CORP. 604

280 METHOD SYS.INC. 610

281 METRO COMPUTER 444

282 MFJ ENTERPRISES INC. 222
284 MICRO CRAFT CORP. 383

286 MICRO FOCUS 216, 217

287 MICRO MANAGEMENT SYS. 469

288 MICRO MART 606

289 MICRO MINT 569

290 MICRO MYSTIQUE 606

291 MICRO-TAX 169

283 MICROAGE COMP.STORES INC. 531

497 MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEMS 64

292 MICRODYNAMICS 614

293 MICROHOUSE 215

317 MICROLAND 644

294 MICROMAIL601

296 MICROPROCESSORS UNLTD. 604

• MICROSOFT CORP. 88, 89

• MICROSOFT CORP. 367

• MICROSOFT CORP. 399

297 MICROTECH EXPORTS 276

298 MICROWARE 224

299 MICROXPRESS 278

300 MID-AMERICA WHOLESALERS 270
511 MILLER, J. W. 642

301 MINI MICRO MART 80, 81

302 MINI MICRO MART 87

303 MINOLTA CORP. 559

' MK ENTERPRISES 606

304 MORROW 271

305 MOUNTAIN VIEW PRESS 93

306 MPI 423

• MPS DISTRIBUTORS 20B, 209

307 MTI SYSTEMS CORP. 222

• MUSYS CORP. 255

308 MY SUPPLIER, INC. 616

310 NEC HOME ELECTR.USA 326, 327

312 NEC INFORMATION SYS. 131

313 NELMA DATA 376

• NETRONICS 418

315 NETWORK CONSULTING INC. 229

316 NETWORK CONSULTING INC. 319

484 NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY 551

• NORTH HILLS CORP. 378

• NORTH HILLS CORP. 421

318 NORTH STAR COMPUTERS 265

319 NORTHWEST DIGITAL SYS. 32

320 NOVATION, INC. 174, 175

321 O'HANLON COMP.SYS. 429

322 OCCO 68

323 OCTAGON COMP SYS 140, 141

324 OFFICE NETWORKS CORP. 644
239 OLDEN 44

325 OLIVETTI AND C.SPA 65

326 OLYMPIC SALES 518

328 OMNISOFT 257

• ORA ELECTRONICS 595

329 ORANGE MICRO 227

330 ORANGE MICRO 272, 273

331 ORANGE MICRO 365

332 ORYX SYSTEMS 552, 553

333 OSBORNE/MCGRAW-HILL 450

• PACIFIC COMPUTERS 336

334 PACIFIC EXCHANGES 602, 610,
612, 614, 616, 620, 644

498 PACIFIC INFOTECH 108

335 PAN AMERICAN ELEC. INC. 608
494 PANASONIC IND CO. 90

336 PASCOT74

503 PC NETWORK 537

337 PC WARE INC. 312, 313

339 PEACHTREE SOFTWARE 500

340 PEACHTREE SOFTWARE 501

341 PEACHTREE SOFTWARE 502

342 PEACHTREE SOFTWARE 503

343 PEACHTREE SOFTWARE 505

499 PEGASUS DATA 408

344 PER SCI INC. 614

• PERCOM DATA 19, 21

485 PHACT ASSOC. 534

345 PHONE I, INC. 86

December 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc.

655

Reader Service ■

Inquiry No.

Page No.

486 PLUM HALL 532

346 PRACTICAL PERIPH. 123, 124, 125
500 PRACTICAL PERIPH. 332

• PRIMAGES INC. 467

347 PRINCETON GRAPHIC SYS. 296, 297

348 PRINTEK 295

349 PRINTER STORE, THE 116

351 PRIORITY ONE 640, 641
508 PRO MICROSYSTEMS 642

352 PROF.SOFTWARE PROD. 154

353 PROGRAMMERS SOFTWARE EX. 306
■ PROGRAMMING INT'L 260, 261

• PROGRAMMING INT'L 284, 285

356 PROMETHEUS PRODUCTS 397

357 PURCHASING AGENT, THE 136

358 QUADRAM CORP. 22, 23

359 QUANT SYSTEMS 616

360 QUASAR DATA PROD. INC. 171

361 QUBIE DISTRIBUTING 355

362 QUCES 493

363 QUESTIONAIRE SERVICE CO. 608
475 RADIO SHACK CIV

• RANA SYSTEMS 25
388 RANA SYSTEMS 27

367 RANDOM ACCESS INC. 610

368 RHINO ROBOTS INC. 608

• ROCKY MOUNTAIN MICRO INC. 283

• ROCKY MT. SOFT. SYS. 348, 349
516 ROGERS LAB 280

369 RTL PROGRAMMING AIDS 522
496 RUTISHAUSER 573

370 RYDEX INDUSTRIES CORP. 474

371 S C DIGITAL 508

372 S-100 DIV. 696 CORP. 92
377 SAFEWARE 192

Inquiry No.

Page No.

378 SAGE COMP. TECH. 173

379 SAKATA 249

501 SCIENTIFIC COMPUTER 602

• SCOTTSDALE SYSTEMS 117

380 SEATTLE COMP.PRODS. 60

381 SEATTLE COMP. PRODS. 507

382 SEEQUA COMP.CORP. 6

383 SEKON COMPUTER 160

384 SELECTONE CORP.COMP.PROD. 610

385 SEMI DISK SYSTEM 137

386 SGL HOMALITE 120

387 SHARP ELECTRONICS 289
366 SIEMENS COMM.SYS.INC. 34, 35

• SILICON SPECIALTIES 104

389 SLR SYSTEMS 610

390 SLR SYSTEMS 616

391 SOFTLINE CORP. 66

392 SOFTQUEST118

393 SOFTWARE AUTOMATION 225

394 SOFTWARE BANC 244, 245

396 SOFTWARE BANC DEALER SERV. 119

397 SOFTWARE FASHION 547

• SOFTWARE GUILD 516, 517

398 SOFTWARE SERVICES 602
490 SOFTWARE SOLUTION 205

• SORCIM 16, 17

400 SPECTRON INSTRUMENTS 602

401 SPSS 277

402 STAR MICRONICS 126

403 STARBUCK DATA CO. 204

404 STM CORP 163

405 SUNDEX 393

406 SUNNY INT'L. 599

407 SUNTRONICS 597

408 SUPERSOFT 75

Inquiry No.

Page No.

409 SUPERSOFT 77

410 SWI INT'L 379

411 SYNETIX20

412 SYNETIX328

413 SYSTEM VISION CORP. 160

414 TALLGRASS TECH. 61

415 TATUM LABS 612

416 TAVA CORP. 416

417 TAYCO BUSINESS FORMS 620

427 TDI SYS. INC. 266

418 TDK ELECTRONICS 353

419 TECH STAR LABORATORY 610

• TEKTRONIX INC. 223

420 TELETEK ENTERPRISES. INC. 55

421 TELETEX COMMUNICATIONS 345
507 TERMINAL DATA 642

422 TERRAPIN INC. 230

423 TEXAS COMP.SYS. 243

424 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS 184

• TEXAS INSTRUMENTS 440, 441 , 465

425 THINKERS SOFT INC. 487

426 THREE M COMPANY 112

428 TIMEX COMPUTER 281

429 TINNEY, ROBERT GRAPHICS 396
■ TINNEY, ROBERT GRAPHICS 550

430 TITAN TECHNOLOGY 422

431 TITAN TECHNOLOGY 438

432 TOPAZ, INC. 221

433 TOSHIBA AMERICA INC. 436

434 TOSHIBA AMERICA INC. 437

435 TRANSACTION STORAGE SYS. 135

436 TRANSTAR 185

437 TRANSTAR 523

438 TRISTAR DATA SYS. 162
' TRONIX 616

Inquiry No.

Page No.

439 TSK ELECTR.CORP. 133

441 U.S. MICRO SALES 646, 647

440 U.S. ROBOTICS 130

442 UNIPRESS SOFTWARE INC. 334

443 UNIVERSAL DATA SYS 58

444 VERBATIM CORP. 183

445 VIDEX 15

446 VIMA 470

447 VISUAL TECH, INC. 351
520 VLM COMPUTER 280

448 VOICE MACHINE COMMUN. 321

449 VOTRAX521

450 VR DATA 115

451 W.T.I. COMP.&PERIPH.PROD. 425

452 WADSWORTH ELECTR.PUB.C0. 491

453 WANG ELECTR.PUB.INC. 138

• WANG INSTITUTE 461

• WANG LABS INC. 557

• WAREHOUSE SOFTWARE 128

454 WCB COMPUTERS 614

455 WESTERN TELEMATIC 391

• WESTICO INC. 419
92 WHITAKER, H.L. 644

456 WHITESMITHS LTD 525

457 WILLIAMS, MARK CO. 539

458 WINTEK CORP. 608

460 WORLDWIDE COMP.SUPPLIES 644

517 WRITING CONSULTANTS 280

462 XEROX PRINTING SYSTEMS 566, 567

463 ZAM CONSULTANTS 606

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History will record as a profound irony

that the most powerful word processing package

ever created for the IBM® Personal Computer

can be worked with two fingers.

It was created by Leading Edgef
specifically to take advantage of the
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A

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Leading Edge Products Inc., Headquarters and Retail Division, 225 Turnpike Street, Canton, Mass. 02021 (800) 343-6833 (617) 828-8150

*IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

Circle 262 on inquiry card.

J

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'

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